Coolamon Research Centre

Associate Professor Caroline Nilson commenced her academic career at Murdoch University in 2005, and has thirty years of clinical nursing and midwifery experience in Africa, England and Australia. As an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Nursing, she has developed, coordinated and taught units in both the Undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing program and the now obsolete Postgraduate Master of Midwifery program. Caroline’s research interests are in health promotion and health education with Indigenous communities to improve food literacy for long term health and well-being outcomes.

Bio to come

Megan Woodley is a proud Noongar Yamatji Yorga, At Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, in her role as an Aboriginal Research Assistant for the Coolamon Research and Advocacy Centre. Working with the team on the Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI) , Megan is very passionate about supporting positive change with community.

Assoc/Prof Judith Katzenellenbogen’s expertise in epidemiology has underpinned a public health career in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. This includes experience working on health issues and health inequities and from diverse perspectives, including disease-specific research and burden of disease analysis, health purchasing, needs assessment, program evaluation and strategic planning. She has led innovative linked data and mixed methods approaches to the study of heart disease and stroke, including Strep A diseases, particularly in the Aboriginal context.

Jackie Parker is a leading advocate for improving the lives of Aboriginal Australians. With over 20 years of experience – including 15 in government administration and five in Aboriginal capacity building, including time spent living and working in a remote Aboriginal community – Jackie brings a unique blend of practical and academic expertise to the Coolamon Research Centre.

Victoria’s research recognises equity of knowledge that drives and guides us through life. Her PhD research – “Koorlungkas Yarning - Bidi moorditj koorlungkas – sharing pathways for our kids to grow up strong’ brought together cultural values of Aboriginal families from Whadjuk Noongar Country to strengthen early language development. Her approach to research advocates wolbranning gnulla bidi, that we share the pathway to healing as we learn the resilience of our respective knowledge, and the courage, healing, and friendship needed for our bidi moorditj koorlungkas, kids to grow up strong.

Ms Joyce Drummond is a founding executive member of the Pilbara Wakuthuni Community. A trained teacher and experienced community worker, she worked for decades in diverse roles, including TAFE lecturer, ATSIC Councillor, classroom teacher mentor, community representative for Aboriginal forums, co-ordinator for community-based projects and IBN field officer. She presents and advocates for issues impacting Aboriginal communities at many education/health conferences/forums. She contributes to the Healthy Homelands Research and Advocacy Hub through the Coolamon Centre at Murdoch University.

Tia Whyman is a Paakantji woman who has a PhD in Psychology. Her research has focused on Aboriginal culture and Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB), led by our Elders and community members. Currently, her work explores how changes to Country (climate change) is having an impact on the way Aboriginal people practice their culture and how this is having an impact of their SEWB. This is through the project titled Changes to Country: The role of Aboriginal cultural practices in mitigating the impact of, and adapting to, climate change to enhance Social and Emotional Wellbeing (MRFF 2035365).

Mara West has worked as part of Murdoch’s Remote Area Developments Group to deliver water and wastewater systems to remote WA communities, improving their environmental health and living conditions. Mara was awarded the University Medal (Murdoch University) for her services to the University and the community and was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Murdoch in 2023. She is chair of the Homelands Advocacy Hub in the Coolamon Research and Advocacy Centre, Chair of the HEAL (Healthy Environment and Lives) Network WA Aboriginal Reference Group.

Bio to come

Jacob brings a rich background Changes to Country Project, combining a deep commitment to caring for country with expertise in climate research and the integration of First Nations practices with Western academic approaches. His diverse experience spans tertiary mental health settings, youth work centers, residential care, and research institutes. Jacob is particularly passionate about how diverse communities can be recognized and supported in resilience and recovery policy planning.

A/Prof Brad Farrant, a wadjella born on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja, is the WA Regional Co-Lead for the HEAL Network with Aunty Mara West. He supports Elder- and community-led research on early childhood development, focusing on how ecological factors like climate change and biodiversity loss impact children’s futures. He is particularly interested in connecting this work to Aboriginal people strengths and culture.