Who We Are?

Where are you from and who is your mob?

I am very proud and privileged to be able to work, live and study on my homelands of the Yuggera people in Inala. I am also from Ugarapul mob out in Ipswich. My lineage follows the Thompson/Bekue Line of which I am proudly Gloria Bekue’s youngest son and grandson of Margaret Thompson. My more immediate mob have lived in Inala since the 1960s, and prior to that living on Bundjalung Country in Currumbin on farmland.

Why did you choose to volunteer as a member of Inala Wangarra’s Board?

Volunteering as a member of Inala Wangarra's Board is a deeply personal and meaningful decision for me. Firstly, being the youngest member fills me with a sense of honour and privilege, and I'm grateful to Aunty Chelsea Watego for entrusting me with this role, which I embarked upon four years ago and am now President. Her nomination instilled confidence in me from the start. Secondly, the opportunity aligns perfectly with my philosophy and aspirations as a future doctor, allowing me to give back to my community in a holistic manner. My vision is to enhance our organization's governance and efficacy, ensuring our community reaps maximum benefits in the coming years.

Why is it important for you to help lead Inala Wangarra?

Leading Inala Wangarra is a deeply personal commitment rooted in my identity as a traditional owner of the area it serves. It's both a sentimental duty and a cultural obligation to ensure our community receives efficient and authentic services. As a future doctor, I value Inala Wangarra's holistic approach to community-based programs, aligning perfectly with my career aspirations and belief in holistic health benefits. With my blend of health expertise, governance skills, and unwavering passion, I'm driven to elevate Inala Wangarra to new heights. It's crucial for me to stay connected to my roots and contribute meaningfully to our community's well-being.

What is your greatest reward from your time on Inala Wangarra’s Board?

My greatest reward from my time on Inala Wangarra's Board encompasses the invaluable support from Elders, recognition such as the Brisbane NAIDOC Youth Award 2022 nomination, and the trust bestowed upon me by seasoned board members to lead as President for the next three years. However, the most fulfilling aspect is witnessing tangible benefits within my community through Inala Wangarra's programs, ensuring our culture and language thrive. It's a testament to our collective efforts, reaffirming the significance of preserving and uplifting our heritage for generations to come.

What do you think are the strengths of Inala Wangarra?

The strengths of Inala Wangarra are deeply rooted in its community-driven approach, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from the grassroots level. Our dedicated board members, fueled by a genuine passion for our community, steer the organization with unwavering commitment. With most staff and board members hailing from Inala, we ensure programs are tailored to local needs and aspirations. The breadth of our programs, emphasizing holistic health, underscores our understanding of community well-being. This comprehensive approach fosters overwhelming benefits, resonating profoundly within our community and reinforcing the vitality of our organization's mission.

What is your dream for your community of Inala?

My dream for the Inala community is one where leadership stems from within, empowering every member to contribute to decision-making processes. I envision Inala Wangarra achieving financial independence, allowing us to chart our own course through community-driven fundraising initiatives. Expanding our programs to address a wider array of needs within Inala is paramount, ensuring comprehensive support for all residents. Above all, fostering unity within our organization and community will enable us to focus wholeheartedly on enhancing Inala's well-being and the services we provide, forging a brighter future rooted in collective strength and solidarity.

Where are you from and who is your mob?

I was born and bred in Inala. My Grandmother was Barunggam Mob, Ghinghindah Station, Dawson. My Mum was Born in Chinchilla, Western Down Region Queensland. I am part of stolen generation removed at the age of 4.

Why did you choose to volunteer as a member of Inala Wangarra’s Board?

I attend all Women's Groups and wanted to know how the Board runs to keep Wangarra opened and felt I could show my kids that I support Board Members and Staff who do so much for community that I had to be apart of a great community coming together.

Why is it important for you to help lead Inala Wangarra?

Its important to me as Wangarra has a lot to offer the community. We come together as one, we are from all walks of life and the knowledge of everyone that walks through the doors shows that Wangarra is of great value to us all.

What is your greatest reward from your time on Inala Wangarra’s Board?

Meeting new members and being able to help my community means everything. Inala has always been apart of my life, to be a Board Member just makes my day in supporting Wangarra. Learning how a Board runs to support our mob.

What do you think are the strengths of Inala Wangarra?

Bringing community together, knowing a disabled person can feel welcome amongst all groups. Many groups are run at Wangarra and age is no problem as they meet the needs of everyone that walks through the doors.

What is your dream for your community of Inala?

My dream would be to see Wangarra around when my grannies grow up, that there is a place for them to come to and have them be apart of what I stand for bringing mob together.

Where are you from and who is your mob?

I’m a Watego which denotes my South Sea Islander ancestry, and I am Munanjahli through the Williams family. My mob are largely situated along the east coast of Queensland from Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales, to Bowen/Ayr/Townsville in north Queensland. I grew up on the southside of Brisbane on Yuggera country, and I was formerly a Bond, having married an Inala boy over 20 years ago.

Why did you choose to volunteer as a member of Inala Wangarra’s Board?

I’ve always felt a strong duty as a Blackfulla to give back to our community and I believe in the importance of keeping alive the Indigenous community controlled sector. I am frustrated by the fact that our suburb is so densely populated with government and mainstream services that are mostly staffed by people from outside our community and which fail to be of service to our people because they fail to recognise the humanity of our people and the beauty of our community.

Why is it important for you to help lead Inala Wangarra?

I came to be involved in the formation of Inala Wangarra over 20 years ago and it emerged in the aftermath of a large Indigenous organisation closing down. I’ve always felt the community of Inala deserved a strong community controlled organisation and I know I have a skill set to offer the organisation in a range of areas. Personally, I want to make sure my best labour is spent building Black organisations that centre Blackfullas and create opportunities and change for our community for the better.

What is your greatest reward from your time on Inala Wangarra’s Board?

I cannot isolate any one reward over the past two decades. I’m proud of the vast numbers of Blackfullas who have been given a chance through the opportunities created through Wangarra, whether as participants in our programs or as staff members. We’ve made a huge impact on so many careers of mob in our community, because we gave our people a go to grow and develop, when so many other services in our region refused to. I’m proud of the West Inala Football Club and how that has grown including the state of the fields and infrastructure which is so dramatically different to how it was even a decade ago. Being a board member of Inala Wangarra has shaped me politically, professionally and ethically and I’m really grateful for the learnings along the way, from the successes to the challenges.

What do you think are the strengths of Inala Wangarra?
The strength of Inala Wangarra lies in the philosophical framework from which we operate – we don’t see problems we see possibilities, our people are not ‘clients’ they are our family, we love and believe in our people our knowledges and culture, we are not a social service but an embodiment of self determination and we have stood strong in our principles of good governance. Because of these principles, Wangarra has been at the forefront of innovation, and our community development approach means we can be responsive to what the community wants and needs. There is no other organisation like us that runs the varied and vibrant services that we offer – from a football club, to a murri court, to arts programs, social groups for men, women and young people, to a range of ceremonies from welcome babies to country, rites of passage ball to sorry business support.

What is your dream for your community of Inala?
I don’t know that I have a dream for Inala. I live here because I love the sense of community it affords me and my family. I love that my children attended Wandarrah pre-school, and played for West Inala Juniors, and participated in welcome babies to country, and the rites of passage ball and have a sense of belonging in this place. My aspiration is for how we retain that strong sense of community as more of our mob are being shifted out of the suburb, and how we ensure that our people get to make the most of the opportunities within our region.

Where are you from and who is your mob?

I was born in Fiji and have lived all over Queensland. My mob come from Moa Island in the Torres Straits through the Savage and Corrie family

Why did you choose to volunteer as a member of Inala Wangarra’s Board?

Inala Wangarra has been my home away from home for over a decade and I’ve always believed in the values and vision of this organisation. As Inala Wangarra has given me so much, I wanted to be able to give something back.

Why is it important for you to help lead Inala Wangarra?

I just want to be a part of the wonderful work Inala Wangarra continues to do in the community. I want to honour those that came before me, that worked so hard to establish an organisation that is led and driven by the community, an organisation that has always served its community with dignity and respect.

What is your greatest reward from your time on Inala Wangarra’s Board?

I think listening and learning from other Board and staff members is the greatest reward. The respect and care shown by each member instils pride in me and nurtures my spirit and connection

What do you think are the strengths of Inala Wangarra?

Inala Wangarra has many strengths because the community it services is strong, resilient and proud. Inala Wangarra is a reflection of its community because it is community-controlled. I think that is its greatest strength, remaining accountable and transparent to its community.

What is your dream for your community of Inala?

My dream has always been that the community of Inala remains strong, proud and vigilant in its agency. I want my grandchildren to experience this and for other First Nations communities to look to Inala as an example of collective leadership, self-determination and sovereignty.

Where are you from and who is your mob?

I am from Far North Queensland. As a descendant and blessed from the Kalkadoon / Kalatunya peoples. My family (The Foster) are from Winton. I grew up in Townsville where I went to most of my school years, plus also early life in a village in Papua New Guinea. My Grandmother is Julie Hickson, daughter of Eulia Kalkadoon, married Walter Hickson of Rangers Valley on Kalkadoon Country.

Why did you choose to volunteer as a member of Inala Wangarra’s Board?

I chose to be a Board member because I believe and was raised by my parents and grandmother that service and supporting community needs is important for spirituality, harmony, care, peace and joy.

Why is it important for you to help lead Inala Wangarra?

Sharing my life lessons on my lived experience. Sharing the money, gifts of support, others have given me with my Aboriginal, Torres Strait and Indigenous people around the world. My Elders in the past who have been critical in my life journey so far.

What is your greatest reward from your time on Inala Wangarra’s Board?

Not sure, I am very new to this Board. My hope is to contribute the best that I can to support the growth and ensure the service strives to meet our Community members and the program with caring service.

What do you think are the strengths of Inala Wangarra?

1. Its commitment to the Community health and wellbeing

2. Strengthening the capabilities of the commutative service

3. The staff’s commitment to reaching out to other services providers, compassion and collaborating.

What is your dream for your community of Inala?

Continuing to grow its capabilities, strengthening its existing programs, and identifying gaps to strengthening without fear or favor.

Our Board

Kyle Bekue

Aunty Sue Knight

Professor Chelsea Watego

Karla Brady

Aunty Julie Smith

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