BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gadigal Information Service Aboriginal Corporation is governed by a constitution registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations. GIS is governed by a Board of Directors who are democratically elected by our members at our Annual General Meeting.

Edwina Crawford

Chair

Edwina Crawford is a proud Barkindji woman from Western NSW and the Chairperson of Gadigal Information Service Aboriginal Coporation.

Edwina has spent 29 years working in the NSW Government, with a career focused on Aboriginal affairs, policy and service delivery. For the past 18 years, she has worked in justice strategy and policy, partnering with Aboriginal communities and stakeholders to develop policies and programs aimed at reducing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system. Edwina currently leads work supporting the Closing the Gap justice targets within the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

She is the Director of the Aboriginal Services Unit, which delivers programs and supports for Aboriginal people who come into contact with the courts, including Circle Sentencing, the Walama List, and support for Aboriginal participants in the Drug Court and Youth Koori Court.

Edwina also has a longstanding connection with Aboriginal community media. For more than seven years, she was a volunteer broadcaster at Koori Radio, hosting Ecky’s Jam, an R&B and pop music program. Her experience as a broadcaster reflects her commitment to the important role Aboriginal media plays in strengthening culture, community connection and Aboriginal voices.

As Chairperson of Gadigal Information Service, Edwina brings together her experience in Aboriginal affairs, justice, community engagement and Aboriginal media, with a strong commitment to ensuring Aboriginal voices remain at the centre of the organisation and its future.

Shane Sturgiss

Secretary

Shane 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 acrossseveral Aboriginal services, including the CEO of BlaQ and the Stolen Generations Council of NSW and as Director of Operations at The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. Shane sits on the board of Iyoria Belonging Estate, an Aboriginal Aged Care and Hospice facility.

Shane is seen as a specialist in Corporate and Social responsibility 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 and education.

Dallas Wellington

Director

Dallas Ngurrowin Wellington is a proud descendant of the Jerrinja Clan of the Wandi-wandian People of the NSW south coast, with strong cultural ties to the Walbunja, Djiriganj, Wodi Wodi, Dharawal and Dhungutti Peoples. Raised on his mother’s Country at Jerrinja and across the south coast and Kempsey, Dallas brings more than 35 years of lived experience working alongside Aboriginal communities on the lands of the Eora, Dharawal, Darug, Gundungurra and Worimi Nations. His work is grounded in deep respect forTraditional Owners and those with historical and contemporary connections to Country.

Dallas is committed to strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination through community engagement, cultural leadership and the amplification of First Nations voices. His approach centres on trust, cultural safety and the protection of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, recognising the spiritual, social and economic responsibilities of custodianship. With experience spanning Aboriginal rights, community advocacy, cultural practice, education and strategic planning, he has dedicated his life to truth-telling, social justice, human rights, land rights and the preservation of lore, culture and heritage.

As former Chairperson of Gadigal Information Service, Dallas has championed strong governance and community-led action, reinforcing the vital role of the Aboriginal community-controlled sector. As a current Director, he is deeply committed to Gadigal Information Service as part of the Aboriginal cultural precinct in Redfern—a place of resilience, activism and cultural continuity—and to ensuring that Koori Radio and Gadigal Information Service continue to serve as a hub for storytelling, language, arts, healing and intergenerational knowledge sharing. Dallas remains dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful outcomes for First Nations people and to upholding the cultural strength and sovereignty of the communities he serves.

Peta Joy Williams

Board Member

Peta 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

Gavin Ivey

Board Member

Gavin Ivey is a dedicated Bundjalung South Sea Islander community media professional, broadcaster, and advocate for First Nations voices, with extensive experience in radio operations, programming, and community engagement. As Program Manager at Koori Radio 93.7FM, Gavin is committed to strengthening Indigenous storytelling, supporting emerging broadcasters, and creating opportunities for diverse communities to share their experiences and perspectives. Passionate about cultural preservation, media innovation, and community development, he works to ensure that radio remains a powerful platform for connection, education, and empowerment. Through his leadership and advocacy, Gavin continues to champion inclusive broadcasting and amplify the voices of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations communities across Australia.

Paula Maling

Board Member

Paula Maling is a proud Worimi and Yidinji woman who was born and raised on Bidjigal Country, carrying with her a deep connection to community, culture, and storytelling. With more than 30 years of experience across the First Nations radio, television, and events sectors, Paula has built a respected career as a director, producer, writer, and researcher. Her work is grounded in amplifying First Nations voices and ensuring authentic representation across media platforms.

Throughout her career, Paula has played a pivotal role in shaping and delivering culturally significant content, producing over 500 hours of television programming that highlights the strength, resilience, and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her extensive body of work spans documentaries, music programs, cultural events, and community-focused storytelling, reflecting her commitment to both creative excellence and cultural integrity.

Paula’s leadership and vision have also extended into major events, where she has contributed to the development and promotion of platforms that celebrate First Nations culture, music, and storytelling on a national scale. Known for her collaborative approach and deep industry knowledge, she continues to mentor emerging creatives while advocating for greater opportunities and representation within the media landscape.