Aboriginal Culture, Heritage
& Arts Association of NSW

For some 50 years, Jeanette Crew has been actively involved in public service and indigenous affairs. During that time, Mrs Crew fought for the preservation of Aboriginal land and history as well as the continuing practice and sharing of Aboriginal culture. In 2017 she was awarded the Museums and Galleries of NSW IMAGinE Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to NSW Aboriginal Culture, Heritage and the Arts. Jeanette has also been a member of Aboriginal advisory committees for both the Australian Museum and Murray Local Land Services. In Deniliquin where she lives, Jeanette is best known for her role in founding the Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre in 2003. In 2019, Mrs Crew was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to Indigenous culture.

I am a proud Gumbaynggirr woman and have had a love of painting and drawing from a young age as a way of expressing my personal impressions, dreams and experiences. Born in Sydney in 1968, I grew up around Wollongong, however always harboured a feeling of belonging to my mother’s family and country, the northern lowlands of Gumbaynggirr Nation. It was this sense of belonging that brought me to the North Coast of NSW to settle, establish my studio and continue my artistic and professional development strengthening roots within the community to teach, advocate, support family and artistic practice in regional NSW. I am currently the Creative Director for the Wadjar gallery at the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre. During my career of involvement, I have been a spokesperson for the cultural heritage of Australian First Nations people and involved myself in the education and communication of culture from dance, sculpture, and painting as well as community leadership.

Di is a Wongaibon/Wiradjuri woman from Trangie. As Chairperson of the Trangie LALC, Di is also Chairperson of the Wungunja Centre. She sits on the Three Rivers Regional Assembly which is the local decision-making body advising NSW Aboriginal Affairs. Di is also a founding committee member of Trangie Community Connections and is actively involved as a supporter of many local sporting teams

Ricky Townsend is a Gamilaraay man with Wayilwan heritage who joined the Elders Council (directors) of Dharriwaa Elders Group in November 2022. Soon after he was invited to take Clem Dodd’s place to represent DEG on the ACHAA board. Ricky brings small business experience from the auto-mechanic and electrical trades, was born and raised on Walgett’s Dewhurst Camping Ground, was a keen swimmer in his youth and has years of experience playing guitar in various Walgett bands. He is a father, grandfather and an opal miner.

Peter is a proud Gamilaroi Murri from north-west NSW, who has championed First People’s cultural rights within the creative and cultural heritage sector for nearly 30 years. Peter is ACHAA’s Associate Member Board representative, having left Create NSW after 3 1/2 years to take up a new role as Head, First Nations Cultural Engagement at Sydney Living Museums. He will continue the work he has done in many positions in cultural institutions and Government arts agencies advocating and developing new ways to engage with and advance First Nations cultural and creative aspirations.

Steve is a Wiradjuri man born on Gadigal Country in Sydney and raised on homelands in central NSW. With a background in communications, he has worked in media, marketing, education and cultural programming. At Museums & Galleries of NSW he leads the support and programming to ACHAA where he carries the designation of General Manager. Among other achievements, he has been Education Manager at the Powerhouse Museum, Curatorial coordinator for Our place: Indigenous Australia Now, Australia’s gift to Athens on the return of the Olympics in 2004 and the author of three publications on Aboriginal art and cultures.

Elias Wilson is a Biripi man, opera singer, audio describer and arts administrator who has worked in the theatre and performance sector for the last eight years. Elias has experience audio describing Aboriginal art for blind and vision impaired audiences, and has performed in and championed First Nations opera and classical music projects across NSW and Victoria.  In his current part time role, Elias provides administrative and communications support to ACHAA.

Isabel is a Biripi woman who has spent 7 years working in copywriting, customer service, and marketing in online retail spaces. Isabel attended the University of Sydney where she learnt writing skills, particularly in writing about social issues and religious studies. Isabel is an art hobbyist, visiting galleries and creating her own artwork and ceramics in her spare time. In her role at ACHAA, Isabel assists in all communications needs; managing the website, social media, as well assisting with news and media communications.