Our Directors
As DNAC Directors, we are honoured to represent and do our best for Community.
Our role is voluntary, and we are always looking for new ways to improve the Organisation.
Corina Wayali Norman.
Corina’s dedication to Dharug and broader First Peoples culture is evident in her ways of seeking opportunities for community events and in her words, “sharing all things pertaining to our culture, connections and responsibilities to nura – Country and each other.”
She feels connected to many significant places and is a strong supporter of families connecting at Shaws Creek – Yarramundi and Blacktown Native Institution, handed back to Dharug people on the 13 October 2018.
Being a qualified educator means Corina is ideally suited to lead our Sub Committee for Aboriginal Education. She is a cultural artist and is qualified in Business Governance, Family History Research and holds a Masters in First Peoples Languages Education.
She is also a cultural consultant and works on cultural productions, thus bringing a wide breadth of skills into her role as the current DNAC Secretary where she concentrates her attention on processes and functionality, helping to create a sustainable organisation.
Colin Richard Keith Locke.
As a Dharug man, Colin feels deep connections to the upper Blue Mountains as his place of birth. He remembers Blackheath as a child, knowing the Mountains as a strong cultural area for Our People. Colin aims to see DNAC develop, “to see Us all together on social occasions.”
His Bachelor of Health Science and roles as a Mental Health Clinician and former Centrelink Officer enable a wealth of skills and knowledges in relation to social issues for First Peoples.
He is always seeking ways to serve our community – creating positive steps for the future and he feels overjoyed when people call him Uncle.
Venessa Possum.
(Venessa Starzynski, nee Williams)
Venessa feels strongly connected to all Dharug areas as earth, both freshwater and saltwater, “I experience a special kind of joy standing on my ancestral country as mulgoa-muringun, as well high Country and childhood bondi and woronora. She was excited to become a member and director because she can honour her Ancestor’s voices. Venessa aims to be helpful in any way possible.
She is currently developing website content as a member of a DNAC Sub Committee. Her aims are to immerse herself in culture as much as possible and to present culture through her art and writing.
She has a Bachelor with Honours in Aboriginal art and culture including colonial theory. She has worked as a curator and consultant for many years and adds, “learning our language and maintaining cultural protocols is very important to me.”