Our People
Leadership
Carol Pettersen, OAM
patron and cultural advisor
Carol Pettersen is a proud Noongar elder and a highly respected advocate for social justice, education, and cultural empowerment. With a distinguished career spanning decades in government, Aboriginal affairs, and community development, Carol has made a lasting impact through her work in shaping policies and programs that benefit First Nations Peoples.
As a passionate campaigner for land rights and cultural preservation, Carol has played a pivotal role in significant initiatives, including the Single Noongar Land Claim settlement. Her tireless contributions have been recognised with numerous honours, including the Medal of the Order of Australia and National NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year.
As our Patron, Carol brings wisdom, experience, and a deep commitment to fostering truth-telling, reconciliation, and community empowerment, inspiring us to uphold her vision of a stronger, more connected future.
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Willhemina Farmer
CEO AND DIRECTOR
Willhemina Farmer is a proud Noongar woman from the Great Southern Region of Western Australia, bringing decades of leadership and expertise to her role as CEO. With extensive experience in management, community development, and program implementation, Willhemina has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for Aboriginal communities across Australia.
Her professional journey includes senior roles such as National Remote Training Coordinator and Regional Aboriginal Health Worker Manager, where she has designed and delivered impactful programs addressing health, employment, and mental well-being. A respected advisor and trainer, Willhemina has worked with government, private organisations, and community groups on initiatives such as the Regional Aboriginal Employment Strategy and the Family Futures Program, recognised as a best-practice model in Aboriginal health.
Passionate about cultural preservation and advocacy, Willhemina served as a Western Australian Delegate for the National Stolen Generations Alliance, contributing to national truth-telling, justice, and healing efforts. Her commitment to this cause is deeply personal, as a survivor of child removal, which fuels her drive to create positive change.
In addition to her leadership role, Willhemina continues to consult on diverse projects, including mental health training, cultural advisory roles, and online e-learning initiatives. She combines her academic background in health and community development with a deep understanding of Aboriginal issues to champion holistic approaches that empower communities and bridge gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
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Kali Balint
Director
Over more than 30 years, Kali has developed deep trust and respect with First Nation’s people throughout Australia and has established a reputation for achieving significant long-term outcomes through a unique approach.
Kali brings exceptional strategic skills to support First Nation Australians and has steadily achieved significant long-term outcomes, empowering Aboriginal stakeholders to design and implement strategies aligned with their aspirations. Kali has established a strong reputation as an innovative and talented business and community strategist, developing deep trust and respect with Aboriginal people across Australia over the past 30+ years.
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Annie Harper
OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Annie Harper joined the team at Indigenous Consulting Group (ICG) in 2021 and has been working in operations and business administration for the company.
Annie has enjoyed a dynamic career working as an administrative assistant working in a variety of industries including finance, music, hospitality, mental health, and health & wellness.
At the beginning of her working career in her early twenties, she worked as a clinic manager for Chiropractors. It was in this role, where she learnt that the human body has the innate ability to heal itself. This sparked a curiosity within Annie which led her to explore numerous natural and preventative therapies for a better quality of life. This exploration was
followed by an inquisitive journey, delving into spirituality and
understanding the importance of our mental health.
More recently Annie worked as a Mental Health support coordinator. In this role she had the opportunity to connect with individuals in the community helping them with their mental health challenges and supporting them on their recovery journey.
She is thrilled to join the ICG and NWA team in helping our dedicated team of trainers deliver IMHFA workshops across the nation. She is looking forward to contributing towards an important initiative that is empowering our first nations people.
Annie was born and raised in Perth, on Whadjuk Noongar country. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her partner, family and friends, keeping active, live music, cooking, travel and the beach. Annie’s passion is 5 Rhythms, a global dance therapy practice.
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CONSULTANTS & FACILITATORS
Wayne Coles
Senior consultant and facilitator
Wayne is a Noongar man from the Wilman people, living most of his life in the Great Southern of Western Australia.
Wayne has extensive experience in mental health and education and has been delivering Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid since 2012.
With 17 years experience as a counsellor, Wayne has a valuable insight into working with people of all walks of life and has a passion for social justice, empowerment and caring for the vulnerable.
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Derise Jones
Senior consultant and facilitator
My name is Derise Jones and I am a local Yamatji woman from the Mid-West of Western Australia.
I am an Aboriginal Mental Health practitioner which led me onto Counselling. I have been working in the Mental Health and Social and Emotional well-being industry for 30+ years.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge of my culture through a unique approach to social and emotional well-being, focusing on the holistic approach to good mental health.
I have worked with people from all cultural backgrounds and have tailored my approaches and facilitation accordingly, ensuring that people are kept safe and mentally healthy in a respectful manner in a safe learning environment.
I always facilitate in a respectful manner with consideration for others’ cultural values and traditions.
I am a Master-Accredited facilitator of Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid and Standard Mental Health First Aid, Conversations about Suicide, Aboriginal Mental health first aid – refresher.
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Brian Councillor
Senior consultant and facilitator
Brian is a Yamatji man from Geraldton WA and has worked in Aboriginal Mental Health since 1997. With 20 years experience, Brian has developed valuable skills and knowledge which allow him to work effectively with Aboriginal people. He has worked in the metropolitan region and throughout Midwest WA, including remote and isolated regions. Brian currently works in Perth as a Senior Recovery Support Worker and continues to provide culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal people that are diagnosed with persisting and complex mental health issues.
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Maureen O'Meara
Senior consultant and facilitator
Maureen is a descendent of the Baad & Nimunburr Nation on the Dampier Peninsula in the West Kimberley region, and Jaru in the East Kimberley Region of Western Australia. Maureen spent more than twenty years in government in WA and the NT and has extensive experience in health programs, projects and management. Equally, she has worked in the Aboriginal Community sector, and non-government senior and executive roles for over twenty years and can communicate with a broad range of audiences. She has extensive governance knowledge and experience and is a current Director Community Housing Ltd, Aboriginal Community Housing Ltd and Joonbarn Buru Aboriginal Corporation. Maureen currently works for Mt Gibson Iron as the Youth & Community Engagement Officer in Derby and has increased the sponsorship footprint, community engagement and profile in the area. She is passionate about working to empower and inspire Aboriginal people to achieve the best that they can and has excellent skills in establishing rapport and cultural respect for Aboriginal people across Australia.
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Karyn Moyle
Senior consultant and facilitator
Karyn Moyle is a proud Aboriginal woman of Eastern Arrernte, Warlpiri, and Djaru heritage, hailing from Darwin, Northern Territory. Drawing from her lived experiences and profound connection to her people, Karyn has dedicated her life to supporting individuals and communities in healing from intergenerational trauma, mental health challenges, and suicidal ideation. At 52 years old, Karyn is the founder of Perfectly Imperfect Consulting and Waterlily Healing Indigenous Corporation, through which she delivers culturally tailored mental health and suicide awareness programs. Her work is grounded in storytelling, Narrative Therapy, and the transformative power of art, sensory activities, and connection to the land. Karyn’s journey is deeply personal. She has faced significant challenges, including mental health struggles, suicidal ideations, violence, racism, and intergenerational trauma. These experiences have shaped her empathetic and innovative approach to creating safe spaces for healing, such as Aunties Place, a non-clinical, community-led safe space for individuals navigating mental health challenges and grief. She is the driving force behind several impactful initiatives, including Desert Rose, a culturally grounded suicide prevention and bereavement program, and the development of sensory rooms to support the emotional well-being of youth and the community. Passionate about empowering others, Karyn also focuses on fostering intergenerational dialogue and connection between Elders and youth through storytelling and art. Karyn is a sought-after consultant and facilitator, offering one- and two-day workshops and webinars tailored to remote Aboriginal communities and organisations. Her programs prioritise accessibility and cultural relevance, addressing topics such as suicide, grief, loss, alcohol and drug recovery, and domestic and sexual violence. With a vision to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma, Karyn is deeply committed to truth-telling, restoration, and empowering First Nations people to thrive. Guided by her faith in God, she continues to inspire hope, resilience, and healing for future generations.
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Baydon Widdicombe
consultant and facilitator
Baydon Widdicombe is a proud Darug Man living on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Central Victoria. Baydon is passionate about reducing Mental Health stigma and building the capacity of community to lead their own suicide prevention program. Baydon has worked within the local community and has a passion for educating others through sharing knowledge and opening up discussions. Outside of work, Baydon is a foster carer and enjoys having time away with the caravan.
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Kath Ryan
consultant and facilitator
I am a Yamatji woman from the Gascoyne region of Western Australia with family ties with Noongars from the Great Southern area and the North- West of Western Australia. I would like to continue to work effectively with Aboriginal people using my skills and experiences that I have gained through education, employment, training and personal life experiences.
Since gaining my Certificate for Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid, Youth Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid and Deadly Thinking Youth, I have enjoyed going to lots of communities delivering these programs and feeling that I was able to give people the support that they required when dealing with issues within their communities.
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Amy Collard
consultant and facilitator
There’s a lot of disconnection in my family and I’ve felt the loss of identity from a child. As I have gone through my journey, I have found family and more connections to who I am from Binjareb and Ballardong country of the Noongar people from southwest to wheatbelt. My passion is to bring more awareness to Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid, working in the Pilbara and now with my full time roll as a Reintegration and Rehabilitation case worker here in the South West. Being with our children and family especially our elders is our life outside of work with visiting the beach and any other rivers and lakes with lots of family BBQs, love and laughter.
I’m passionate about the work I do, not only for our communities but also for the elders in my family and our children.
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Narelle Lee
consultant and facilitator
Born and raised on Larrakia Country in Darwin, Northern Territory, I come from a diverse and rich cultural heritage—Chinese, Japanese, German, and Aboriginal. My paternal grandmother was born into the Karajarri mob in the southwest Kimberley region of Western Australia. As part of the Stolen Generation, her resilience and story have deeply shaped my understanding of identity, history, and strength.
With over 40 years of lived experience, I have built a dynamic career across multiple industries, living and working throughout Australia, with a strong connection to the Northern Territory. My professional journey has spanned hairdressing, clothing manufacturing, retail management, hospitality, and leadership roles in the non-profit sector. I have also held management positions in international charity organizations, where I have been dedicated to creating meaningful impact, fostering community development, and supporting those in need.
After earning my Certificate in Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid, I have had the privilege of delivering training programs in both remote communities and urban areas across the Northern Territory. I have found immense fulfillment in facilitating these courses, connecting with communities, and supporting participants in developing essential skills for mental health and well-being.
Passionate about culture, storytelling, and connection, I strive to make a difference through my work, continuously learning and growing while uplifting those around me.
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Anthony Ah Kit
consultant and facilitator
Anthony Ah Kit (Snr) was born and raised in Darwin. Anthony’s mob are from Tennant Creek (Wurrumungu), and Mid North Queensland (Waanyi) and proudly also has Chinese heritage. For the past 30 years or so Anthony has worked in the areas of Primary Health Care, AOD, Community Development, Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention. Anthony has extensive connections across NT especially with remote communities and stakeholder organisations involved in health and wellbeing. As a respected senior First Nations man, Anthony is welcomed in communities across the Territory.
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Scott Chisolm
consultant and facilitator
Hi Everyone, my passion in life today is mostly about healing our mob becoming Mentally Strong Spiritually. Giving our mob a chance to better their knowledge about Mental Health, understanding, building confidence as First Aiders in their communities or home taking. Based in Darwin, I’m contracted this year with Indigenous Consulting Group (IGC) and National Well-Being Alliance (NWA) presenting a two-day workshop on Mental Health First Aid. Available for Agencies, Companies, Organisations, Professional people that work for or with the traditional custodians workplaces and sports groups throughout our country.
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The ICG Team
Our leadership team is supported by a group of dynamic individuals who bring diverse expertise, perspectives, and dedication to our mission. With a passion for long-term positive impact, our team collaborates closely to deliver tailored solutions that empower organisations to embrace diversity, enhance cultural understanding, and drive meaningful change in their communities.
Our Partners
