Our people are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working side by side.

We are united together to create outcomes that improve lifestyles and create healing.

Our Board

Susanne Wyatt

Chairperson

Susanne (Sue) Wyatt is a proud Kamilaroi woman. Susanne had worked in the Financial Services Sector for 36years.
Susanne has gained a Graduate of Bachelor of Social Work at the Australian Catholic University.
Susanne is a strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ right to self-determination. Susanne is passionate for all Aboriginal people, families and communities to have access to their culture, acceptable standard of housing, living conditions and clothing.
Susanne is committed for all Aboriginal children to live free from discrimination and to have access to all the tools and support they require to live happy life.

Graham Toomey

CEO and Executive Director

Graham belongs to the Wurrumunga Clan of the Wiradjuri nation. Graham also belongs to the Wongaibon nation.

Graham is CEO at Gunawirra and feels very privileged to be leading an organisation which strives day in day out to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people. He brings his commitment and passion to improve the lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people and their communities and to move Gunawirra forward as a professional organisation that is rich in Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture. He will work hard to give our Aboriginal and Torres Strait children the best start they need for a good education, a healthy lifestyle and a connection and belonging to their heritage and culture.

Cate Hewitt

Director

Cate Hewitt belongs to the Wiradjuri People. Her family originated from Orange in New South Wales and stretched through to Nyngan in New South Wales. She have two daughters who are proud Wiradjuri women who have embraced their culture passionately. She is passionate about improving the lifestyles of Aboriginal children and families and feels fortunate to be able to share her passion as a board Director at Gunawirra.

Timothy Bunker

Director

Tim is a non-Indigenous lawyer at Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney, where he specialises in commercial litigation, regulatory investigations and corporate governance. Tim is a passionate supporter of Indigenous rights and reconciliation, having acted for a number of Aboriginal Land Councils across NSW and Queensland on a pro bono basis.

Tim is a member of Corrs’ Reconciliation Action Plan Committee and has worked with indigenous interns as part of the CareerTrackers program.

Outside of work Tim loves to go camping, play the banjo and basketball.

Marina Korneeva

Director

Marina is a non-Indigenous finance professional with multi-national experience having worked in Australia, Europe, North America and the Pacific in various finance leadership roles in leading FMCGs over 19 years. She is currently employed at Goodman Fielder Pty Ltd in Sydney where she leads group finance services and is also an active member of the corporate Social Impact committee.

Marina is passionate about several social causes. Being a mother herself, one of these passions is children’s education and ensuring all children have the opportunity to have the best start in life and access to the right resources. She has engaged in mentoring high school students and ethics education volunteering.

She is committed to fighting inequality of opportunity and giving back to this country and its people that welcomed her to their home, with Gunawirra’s vision of helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families, children and communities to reach their full potential being close to her heart.

Gunawirra Ambassadors

Uncle Mitch Tambo

Australian World Music star and proud Gamilaraay man, Mitch Tambo has joined the Gunawirra family. Gunawirra is thrilled to have Mitch join our journey and we look forward to working together.

“I’m proud to be given the title Uncle at Gunawirra. Helping children reach their full potential and discover their purpose is a passion of mine and to be able to do this at a community, grass roots level with the mob at Gunawirra is really special for me and my family.”

Ursula Yovich

Ursula Yovich is a proud Burarra and Serbian woman who has become one of Australia’s most celebrated performers and has impressed audiences around the world. Ursula has had an extensive career in TV, Film and Stage, appearing in Tv series Mystery Road, The Gods of Wheat Street, Redfern Now and Rake and has been in film such as Jindabyne, Australia and Top End Wedding.

Ursula decided to retire from stage acting to focus on music, writing, her family and giving back to the community. This led her to becoming an ambassador for Gunawirra.

Our Team

All our workers are professionals especially trained and sensitive to all cultures. Many work in other clinics, hospitals or therapeutic settings and have years of experience in their field of expertise. We consult with Aboriginal experts in DET, early education and health, and work in tandem with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal professionals from the childcare, health and education sectors — all of whom are given continuing professional training to help deliver Gunawirra’s programs.