Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative is governed by a five Board of Directors elected by members.
Nicola Perry, Director
A proud Ngarrindjeri woman, Nicola grew up in Swan Hill and lived there with her children until moving to Bendigo in 2019. Nicola works for Department of Premier & Cabinet as an Aboriginal Community Development Broker, prior to this she worked for Department of Justice & Community Safety as a LAJAC Project Officer and as RAJAC Executive Officer. Previously, Nicola was a Director for Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) for 3 years. She has much experience working and volunteering on community committees such as NAIDOC committees in Swan Hill and Bendigo, Aboriginal Community Justice Panel and Dhelk Dja Family Violence.
Craig Leary, Director
Craig is a Gunditjmara man. Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. He is employed at Department of Education as the Koori Education Co-ordinator for the Loddon Campaspe area. Craig also held positions with Department of Health in senior roles and as a Senior Advisor and taught in government school. Craig has worked with the Aboriginal communities across the North-West of Victoria for over 30 years. Craig is a long-term member of BDAC.
Stephen Korp (Korpy), Director
I’m a proud Wemba Wemba, Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung man
My current role is with DELWP as Program Manager Aboriginal Partnerships. My previous work role was with (DET) as a Koorie Education Coordinator. I’m a board member of LAECG- Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Mt Wycheproof Steering Committee.
Educating our Mob is very important to me, that is why I am involved in the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group to help support our people in a better future. I also have an interest in caring for our country, that is why I work for DELWP so I can help support and managing the land and giving First People their voice for self-determination and to put Fire back in the landscape with Traditional fire with burning, training up our Aboriginal community to run Traditional fire.
Mental Health is also something important to me and hope to start up a yarning circle for mob. I have a beautiful family wife, Nicolle, and we have three daughters Amy (19) Jordan (12) and Chelsea (10) . I was born in Melbourne but lived in Swan Hill until I moved to Bendigo 20 years ago. I am a proud Collingwood man!
Luke Murray, Director
Luke is a proud Wamba Wamba and Yorta Yorta man from the Murray River and is also connected to the Djaara people. He has worked extensively in the Aboriginal community since the age of 14 when he did his first work experience at Lake Condah Co-op now known as Windamara in 1986.
Luke spent his childhood growing up in Melbourne and Shepparton and has lived in Bendigo since 2006 his family have been leaders in the Victorian Community for 9 decades.
Luke has primarily worked in Indigenous Education particularly in Higher Education with 12 years’ experience at the University of Melbourne and another 3 years at La Trobe University in Student Support and Recruitment. Currently, Luke is the Indigenous Community Engagement Manager for the KGI Institute at the Richmond Football Club where he has been a staff member for 13 years. Luke’s main role is to engage community and youth in KGI Programs and Richmond’s Next Generation Academy.
Barry Fary, Director
Barry joined the Board in 2014 and has previously been the Chairperson for a number of years.
Barry is a proud Gunditjmara man, born in the Victorian town of Portland. Having lived in Bendigo for more than 20 years, previously working at Bendigo TAFE and assisting Koori students with their education and pathways to employment, Barry is passionate about seeing Koori people receive the best possible education and go on to gain meaningful employment. Barry is also passionately involved in the Men's Shed at BDAC.