OUR STORY

Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft is a Bundjalung Woman and Artist. Her professional career as an artist began following her graduation from the Canberra School of Arts in 1980. Bronwyn’s career has included both national and international exhibitions. Her work has been acquired by major Australian galleries, state libraries and private collections. 

Bronwyn’s contribution to Indigenous literature has been immense and has included the creation of 47 books.  Bronwyn has received the Dromkeen Medal and the Lady Cutler Award for her services to children’s literature and has been nominated for prestigious international awards including the Hans Christian Andersen and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Awards.

Bronwyn is a Founding Member of Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative (est. 1987) and has been the Co-operative’s volunteer senior strategist since 2009. Bronwyn is a volunteer and advocate for equality and contributes her extensive expertise to a number of community organisations and not for profits. Bronwyn is a Board member/Director of Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), The Returning and the Commonwealth Bank Indigenous Advisory Council.

Bronwyn has a Diploma of Visual Arts, 2 Masters degrees and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Sydney. Bronwyn was the 2020 recipient of the University of Sydney’s Alison Bush Graduate Medal for her contribution to the Indigenous community.

Ella Noah Bancroft is a proud Bundjalung woman with bloodlines to England, Poland and Scotland. She is an artist, writer, mentor, consultant, and the CEO and Founder of The Returning Indigenous Corporation. Ella believes in the power of bringing communities into relation with each other and with Country, creating community-centred, decolonised spaces of health and wellbeing.

Charline Emzin Boyd is a proud Bundjalung woman who has worked in NSW public education for over 30 years.

As a primary school teacher and the Aboriginal Education Coordinator for the NSW Teachers Federation (NSWTF), she has continually advocated and fought for Aboriginal education at state, federal and international levels.

Charline is a founding member and chair of Yalukit Yulendj – the Australian Education Union’s Aboriginal committee. Charline has been involved in contributing to and coordinating policy changes in both the Department of Education and NSWTF that have had a positive impact on teachers, students and communities.

Charline has empowered Aboriginal teachers to improve outcomes for themselves and their communities. She collaborated with the media group responsible for the production of the documentary ‘naa muru gurung – to see a path for children’, which enabled teachers to highlight Aboriginal histories in public education.

Charline’s unwavering commitment and long-time dedication to Aboriginal education was also evident in her instrumental leadership in the creation of a Welcome/Acknowledgement to Country document. This was a first of its kind and is now utilised by educators not only in NSW but also other sectors across the nation. Charline Emzin Boyd is a visionary and a staunch advocate for Aboriginal education matters.

Born of the Aboriginal Djugun [ju-g-oon] people of the Kimberley, Nidala’s work dedicates itself to creating reconciliation; of ourselves with our emotions, of our daily lives with our natural environments, and of Indigenous wisdom with innovative ideas.  Whether it be through her music or her workshops, she reminds us of our belonging in this world, and helps us to step bravely  into our shared responsibility to protect it.

Formally, she holds a Masters of Sustainability from the University of Sydney carried by her time in the jungles of northern Colombia and urban farms in Sydney, as well as a double degree in Public Policy and Social Justice Law from Macquarie University. She has worked for major organisations like the Big Issue and Greenpeace, as well as in farming cooperatives and nature mentoring programs.

Musically, she self-produced and self-released her first single 'Howl at the Moon' in late 2019, and in 2021 produced a fundraising carbon neutral EP named  ‘Colours of my People’ featured in publications such as Rolling Stones and the ABC.

Sophie Willing is a proud mother of Bundjalung and Gumbayngirr children, partner to artist Otis Hope Carey and lives on Bundjalung land.

She is the Treasurer of our Board, with over 6 years finance experience and has held numerous roles in business management as a CEO.

She is passionate about working with First Nations organisations to assist in bettering health and wellness outcomes for community. She works tirelessly to secure ongoing funding and opportunity for The Returning Indigenous Corporation.

Natalie Woods joined the Board as Secretary in 2024, bringing with her a decade of experience across the public, not-for-profit and private impact-driven sectors.

She has been the co-founder and Managing Director of both an environmental not-for-profit and a purposeful for-profit business. She has also worked in policy and program roles in the Federal Government and in campaigns at national organisations like GetUp and WWF-Australia. Natalie is passionate about elevating and amplifying the incredible grassroots work that The Returning does on Bundjalung Country.