GIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gadigal Information Service Aboriginal Corporation is governed by a constitution registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC). GIS is governed by a Board of Directors whom are democratically elected by our members at our Annual General Meeting.
Dallas Wellington
ChairpersonDallas is a proud descendant of the Jerrinja Clan of the Wandi-wandian People, on the south coast of New South Wales. He also has inherent cultural ties and affiliations with Walbunja, Djiringanj, Wodi Wodi, Dharawal, Dhungutti and Waiben, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Countries in Australia. As well as Ngati Whanaunga, Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Dallas has lived and worked within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community for more than 20 years on the lands of the Gadigal, Wangal, Bidjigal, Cammeraygal, Eora, Darug, Dharawal, Gundungurra and Worimi Nations within the greater Sydney metropolitan area, respecting Traditional Owners/Guardians and those with historical and contemporary connections.
Dallas is dedicated to human rights for his people including land rights, culture and heritage, families and communities, and education. As a Board member of Gadigal Information Service, he is passionate about decolonization and a strong voice for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in the city - he contributes Aboriginal cultural values in a respectful, competent and inclusive way.
Steven Ross
SecretarySteven Ross is proudly Wamba Wamba from Deniliquin and Moonacullah Mission. He also has bloodline connections to the Wiradjuri (Carrolls and Bambletts from Cowra and Yass), Mutthi Mutthi (Edwards from Balranald and Lake Mungo) and Gunditjmara (Ross' and Roses from Framlingham). Steven was born in Sydney and raised in the inner west. He was a previous broadcaster at Koori Radio as well as being a previous board member of Gadigal Information Service.
Other boards he has been on include the Inner City Legal Centre, NSW State Library Advisory Board, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Murray Catchment Management Authority. Steven has also worked in various roles working with First Nations communities especially in Western Sydney (Blacktown - Dharug Country), where he currently works, lives and plays. In his spare time he is a cultural producer and writer.
Steven is dedicated to rights to Country and culture and his passion for GIS is to grow the membership and to enhance governance of the organisation, driven by the membership and community.
Peta Joy Williams
TreasurerPeta Joy Williams is a Wiradjuri woman, born in Sydney. With her feet firmly in both cultures, the inland fresh water and coastal salt water, she draws inspiration from the unique elements of these two diverse nations. Over the years PJ has worked in a number of community and mainstream roles. Starting out in the Arts studying Cultural Arts at Eora TAFE in the late1990’s to follow on to work in the Gallery space after completing her diploma for fine arts.
Over the last 20 plus year Peta-Joy has been a regular presence at Gadigal Information Service – Koori Radio, where her passion for events was cemented. Over her time at GIS- Koori Radio she assisted with numerous Klub Koori and Yabun events. For a few years PJ was the stalls coordinator for Yabun, priding herself on the growth in stall numbers at this time. This led to her role as Blak Markets manager at Sydney’s Blak Markets.
Peta-Joy was also fortunate to work and Tour with Big Day Out in 2013 taking her love for festivals to the next level. Peta-Joy still is in the creative arts sector with her painting and weaving skills. PJ is currently an Artist resident Sydney Fringe; she is also a member of Boomalli Aboriginal Arts Co-op in Leichhardt. To see more of Peta-Joy's art practice you can find examples of her work on wiradjuriwave.com
Shane Sturgiss
DirectorShane is a proud Aboriginal man with family links to Gundungurra and Ngarigo people and a proud member of the LGBTIQ++SB community. Raised in Queanbeyan and lived most of his adult life in Newcastle and Sydney.
Shane has worked in Management and Executive roles across several Aboriginal services, including the, Manager at the Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, Director of Operations at The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, CEO of BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation and sits on the board of Iyoria Belonging Estate, an Aboriginal Aged Care and Hospice facility and part of the Governments National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan.
Shane is a specialist in Corporate and Social Responsibility in Diversity and Inclusion with a strong social justice belief. Commencing his career in Banking and Finance, now a qualified Counsellor with tertiary education in Community Services Management, Indigenous Leadership and Community Advocacy. Shane’s career spans across several social services, including, health, financial counselling, disabilities, homelessness LGBTQ+SB sector and education.