MDAS BOARD

Thelma Chilly (Chair) (Robinvale) 

Thelma Chilly (pictured above) is a proud Aboriginal woman who has ties to the Wiradjuri, Muthi, Wemba, Wadi, Barapa and Yorta nations. Born in Robinvale, Thelma has worked with Aboriginal communities in the Mallee for more than 38 years and is a strong advocate for our Koori Community. Thelma was placed on the 2010 Women’s Honour Roll and was a finalist in the National Dreamtime Awards in 2018.  Thelma has a strong knowledge and background in family violence prevention and worked for the Victorian State Government for 18 years. Thelma holds qualifications in Community Development and Planning through Swinburne University and was responsible for the Local Aboriginal Networks. Thelma founded Maliyan Consulting in 2022 and remains passionate about her communities in the Mallee.

Vicki Clark OAM (Swan Hill)

Vicki Clark is a descendant of the Mutthi Mutthi / Wemba Wamba, and is the proud mother of Tamara, and grandmother of three beautiful children.
Professionally, Vicki dedicated 25 years to the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Victoria, in a Coordinator position, making a profound contribution to the Australian Catholic Church, Catholic Education and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She has taken a leading role in the national Reconciliation Process; she is the former co-chair of Reconciliation Victoria and is currently on the Reconciliation Council. Vicki volunteers her time as  a Founding Trustee of Opening the Doors Foundation (a foundation that supports and encourages the participation of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Catholic education);  and as  a director of Yingadi Aboriginal Corporation, an Indigenous corporation dedicated to nurturing Indigenous spirituality and preservation of culture.  She was founding Secretary and past Chairperson of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council. She has also given her time and expertise to a number of organisations and boards, including the  Australian Catholic University, Mary Mackillop Foundation, Caritas Australia Indigenous Programmes, Sister of St Joseph, Edmund Rice Education Australia, Mallee District Aboriginal Services and MacKillop Family Services.

Rita Simmons (Mildura)
 

Rita Simmons is a Gadigal woman, born on Gadigal Country in the 1960s. As child, Rita was raised both in Fiji & Sydney and she is part of the Stolen Generation. Ten years ago, Rita sought out her family and upon finding them, she returned to Gadigal Country for the first time. Rita has connections with the Barkindji & Ngiyampaa communities. Rita is passionate about community and is dedicated to ensuring their health and wellbeing needs are met through; integrity, respect, understanding and compassion. Rita has been actively involved in Aboriginal community work for over thirty years, and has also volunteered with various church groups and charities. A highlight for Rita is her work with the AFL Indigenous Academy, mentoring youth, encouraging them to keep in school and giving them opportunities whilst instilling values, and life lessons.

Jacinta Chaplin (Swan Hill)

Jacinta has worked within the community, health, and farming sectors. She is an active community member and sits on several Aboriginal committees in the Mallee district. She has been heavily involved in coordinating and organising family medical appointments, workshops and community events, She had oversight of program funding and grant applications, development, delivery and reporting as the MDAS Health Promotion Officer for more than nine years.

Sharon Johnson (Mildura) 

Sharon is a proud Senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHW/AHP) of 26 years and is registered with AHPRA.  Sharon grew up in Melton, Victoria until the age of 15 when her parents moved back to Charleville, Queensland. She lived and worked in the Northern Territory for the 20 years before moving to Mildura with her family in 2019. Sharon works across many fields but is also on the Mildura Council Aboriginal Action Committee (AAC), the Mallee Regional Partnership Group, and is the first Aboriginal person to be appointed by the Health Minster on to the Mildura Base Public Hospital Board.

 

Nikita Hart (Mildura) 

 Nikita Hart is a proud Bundjalung woman born and raised on Latji Latji country. Nikita is currently employed by the Department of Education as a Koori Engagement Support Officer and has previously worked in areas of education and training, community development, evaluation, health and wellbeing and early years. Nikita is passionate about community and seeing community thrive. Nikita is deputy chair of the Ngiwa Yarna committee and a 2022 graduate of the Northern Mallee Leaders. Nikita values the importance of volunteering and leadership. She has volunteered in spaces from aged care centres, youth programs to the annual Salvos Christmas lunch. She is proud of her work with Connected Beginnings where she created a safe space for women and children through Cuppa n Yarn. She is grateful for the opportunity of Board director to serve her community.

Marcus Horwood (Mildura)

Marcus Horwood is a proud Bangarang man whose family ties trace back to Wahgunyah Victoria. Marcus has lived in and out of Mildura for a large part of his life, returning permanently in 2018. Marcus works as the Senior Manager – Aboriginal Workforce for the Department of Justice and Community Safety. He is also a Justice of the Peace and in 2022 was awarded the Public Service Medal.

Mark Morgan (Mildura) 

Mark is experienced in advocacy for community and Indigenous students and has a history of statewide participation in improving Aboriginal Education. Mark has held senior positions in the Magistrates Court of Victoria and the Children’s Koori Court Officer. This included several organisations, where he ensured that compliance with funding bodies were met. He also worked as Practice manager of Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative.