About
Since opening in 1981, Yappera Children’s Service Co-Operative Ltd has been providing high quality, culturally grounded and holistic health and education programs. Yappera, meaning “Belonging Place”, is a gathering, learning and wellbeing space for Aboriginal children and their parents, carers, families and community in Melbourne.
Yappera is a not-for-profit, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO). Yappera offers an education and service, as well as a range of health and wellbeing programs and services for children and families.
We’re grateful for the strong governance, leadership, passionate staff and determined community that has supported Yappera to grow into the service we are today; now with capacity to support 60 Aboriginal children and their families every weekday.
Philosophy
Yappera’s philosophy is that all Aboriginal children have the right and opportunity to reach their potential through access to the highest quality care and enrichment in a cultural setting which strengthens their identity, cultural resilience, health and wellbeing.
Leadership team
Stacey Brown
Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung
Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Baksh
Yorta Yorta
Second in Charge
Kim Do
Yamatji, Noongar
Family Support Worker
Shona Kelly-Briggs
Yorta Yorta, Mutthi Mutthi, Gunditjmara
Early Childhood Teacher
Kinder Crocs
Aileen Atkinson
Yorta Yorta, Bangerang, Wiradjuri
Early Childhood Teacher
Early Start Kinder Wombats
Haeem Muhummad
Palestinian
Early Childhood Educator
Room Leader Wombats
Mary Vincitorio
Italian
Early Childhood Educator
Room Leader Joeys
Kristy Atkinson
Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Worimi, Kamilaroi
Early Childhood Educator
Room Leader Boorais
Makita McNally
Mutti Mutti, Wiradjuri
Administration Officer
Governance
Yappera is governed by seven (7) Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Board Members who are elected by Yappera’s membership at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Board Members are elected for a two-year term. Our current Board of Directors feature below.
board of directors
Joanne Proctor
Gunditjmara
Chairperson
Koorie Engagement Support Officer
Department of Education and Training
Susan Hedges
Badimia
Deputy Chairperson
Fitzroy Operations Manager
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Chantelle McGuiness
Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta
Treasurer
Financial Counsellor
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Georgia Bamblett
Bangerang, Wiradjuri
Secretary
Acting Program Manager
Victorian Aboriginal Community Services
Association Limited
Robert Bamblett
Moira, Wiradjuri, Gunggari and Bidjara
Board Member
Director
One Fire Dance Troupe
Lewis Brown
Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Gunditjmara
Board Member
Coordinator, Community Engagement
Ngarara Willim – RMIT University
Michael Graham
Dja Dja Wurrung, Wurundjeri, Waywurru
Board Member
Chief Executive Officer
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service