Phoebe McIlwraith is a proud Bundjalung and Worimi Saltwater woman, a Koori with family histories tied to Casino and Soldiers Point. She is currently based in Muloobinba (inner Newcastle) completing a Bachelor of Laws and working as a cadet at Legal Aid NSW. Phoebe completed her first degree in Business, majoring in Political Economy, in 2020. Using the culture and knowledge of her family as her foundation, Phoebe explores the way law and politics impact on First Nations communities.
You can follow Phoebe’s work here: https://www.instagram.com/northbutsouthhh/
Rona is a proud Kaytetye woman from Central Australia who works with high impact organisations to create systems that centre First Nations people, knowledge and solutions.
Rona is the founder of Common Ground and brings 7 years
of professional experience working across First Nations organisations and not for profits. Rona was previously the Director of First Nations at YLab, a social enterprise that puts young people with diverse lived experiences at the centre of designing and developing innovative and impactful solutions
to complex social issues. Over her career, Rona has worked in policy at the Central Land Council, the Research Unit for Indigenous Languages at the University of Melbourne, Reconciliation Victoria, and the Foundation for Young Australians.In 2020, Rona was a finalist for the Victorian Young Achiever awards, was awarded a Westpac Social Change Fellowship. In 2019 Rona won a Diana Award and was named a 'Woman of the Future' by Women's Weekly.Through her work with First Nations communities across Australia, Rona aims to create future systems that centre First Nations people, knowledge and cultures.Rona currently resides in Mpartnwe on Arrernte Country.