Rockhampton Office
Edward Mosby
Psychologist and FounderEdward was born in the Torres Strait on Waiben (also known as Thursday Island), traditional land and sea’s of the Kaurareg people, however his family connections and home is Masig (also known as Yorke Island), traditional land and sea’s of the Masigalgal people.
After leaving the Torres Strait at a very young age he was raised in and around the township of Taroom (on the Traditional lands of the Yiman people) in South West Queensland and most recently has resided in Central Queensland, specifically Rockhampton on the Traditional lands of the Dharumbal people.
Edward holds full registration as a Generalist Psychologist and is currently the Principal Psychologist and Director of Wakai Waian Healing. He has worked in both State Government Mental Health Services and Indigenous Community based organisations. He is a member of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), the Australian Indigenous Psychologist Association (AIPA) and the Australian Psychologist Society (APS).
Julie Mosby
Finance OfficerJulie was born and raised in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, traditional land of the Dharumbal people and acknowledges her family connections and sense of belonging to Masig (also known as Yorke Island), traditional land and sea’s of the Masigalgal people.
Julie completed her senior schooling at Emmaus College and transitioned into a junior position within Queensland Health at the Rockhampton Hospital. From this point Julie sat in many positions over her 22 years with Queensland Health including Accounts Payable Officer, Travel Manager, Payroll Team Leader, Director of Corporate Services and Asset Management Officer within the Financial Services Department. It is through her extensive experiences within Queensland Health that she has obtained valuable knowledge of accounting systems and practices.
Within Wakai Waian Healing Julie is in the Finance Officer role, where she is responsible for the organisations administration, resourcing and logistical matters at both strategic and operation levels and further maintaining the responsibility for all staff within the organisation within her role.
As a mother Julie acknowledges the cross cultural influences on her life and family and is passionate and genuine about the healing of communities and families.
Rosalyn Mann
Workforce Sustainability LeadRosalyn grew up in the traditional lands of the Quandamooka Nation in South East Queensland and has lived and worked in many rural and regional towns in the Central and North West regions of Queensland and the Roper Gulf region of Northern Territory. She now lives, works and plays in Dharumbal Country in the Rockhampton region.
Rosalyn has had a diverse career in human resources and community relations working for a number of mining and gas companies, local governments, natural resource organisations, a regional university and most recently, a First Nations owned and operated labour hire business.
Rosalyn’s formal qualifications include Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Sociology) and Master of Human Resources Management. Rosalyn hopes to continue contributing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing by positively supporting Waikai Waian Healing employees with best practice human resource strategies.
Kristina House
Compliance and Administration OfficerKristina was born and raised in Rockhampton, Central Queensland and is a descendant of the traditional landowners of the Rockhampton area, the Dharumbal people. Her totem is the Buderoo (Green Tree Frog) Kristina is the granddaughter of local community elder Ethel Speedy.
Kristina attended Berserker Street State School for her primary education years and graduated from Emmaus College in 2014 with a Certificate II in Business. Kristina has since obtained a Certificate III in Business and Business Administration.
During Kristina’s time at Wakai Waian Healing, she has completed her Certificate IV in Mental Health and the WWH PDSMS Program.
Kristina has a willingness to further her learning while demonstrating empathy, compassion and a professional approach to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in her community.
Julyess Jarvis
Team LeaderRockhampton
Julyess was born in Rockhampton, Central Queensland and is a descendent of the Kuinmarrburra clan of the Dharumbal Nation traditional owners of the Rockhampton region and also the Yiman people of Taroom.
After gaining his year 12 Certificate at Kirwan State High School (Townsville) in 2014 Julyess returned to Rockhampton to work at a local Indigenous organisation. Julyess specialised working in programs that supported local Foster and Kinship Carers and then progressed to assist those facing Drug and Alcohol Issues. Currently Julyess is the Team Leader of our Rockhampton Mental Health Stepped Care Service.
Julyess has completed the Professional Development Supervision Mentoring and Self-Care (PDSMS) program at Wakai Waian Healing and also his Cert IV in Mental Health. Julyess is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Central Queensland University. Julyess has aspirations to further his studies to one day become a specialist Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Psychologist to pursue his passion of enhancing the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous People.
Leah Munns
Provisional PsychologistRockhampton
Leah was born and raised in Rockhampton on the traditional country of the Dharumbal people. Leah’s mothers’ mob is believed to be Kuku Yalanji from Far North Queensland, and her father’s mob are Gunggarri from South West Queensland. After leaving school, Leah worked in a variety of jobs within Rockhampton Indigenous organisations until joining the Queensland Public Service in 1987 and then spent 32 years with the Australian Public Service and retired from this service in September 2021.
In 2020, Leah completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science and in 2021 completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours both with CQ University. Leah’s choice of career was further defined based on her experiences as Community Engagement Officer with Services Australia, working with vulnerable people who have multiple barriers.
Leah believes that aiding and empowering people to better manage their mental health can lead to an improved lifestyle and greater self-esteem and confidence. Leah is looking forward to working with, as well as improving the social and emotional wellbeing for Indigenous Australians. Leah will be completing her psychological internship with Wakai Waian Healing to become a Generalist Psychologist.
Sharni Upton
Consumer and Carer AdvocateRockhampton
Sharni is a Barada and Kabalbara woman whose country is from the Central Queensland region around the Middlemount area, the Goodithulla (Wedge Tail Eagle) is the totem of the Barada people. Sharni grew up on Ghungalu country in Blackwater before moving to Rockhampton.
Sharni completed her high school education at Emmaus College and has since had experience in Business Administration and Community Services specifically working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth.
Sharni is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Central Queensland University and is passionate about making a positive contribution to the community; particularly, enhancing the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Rebecca Zammit
Provisional PsychologistRockhampton
Rebecca was born in Windsor, Sydney NSW and descends from the Worimi People (Taree Region) who are Aboriginal Australians from the Eastern Port Stephens and Great Lakes regions of Coastal New South Wales, Australia. The totem for the Worimi People is the Wubaray (Black Dolphin). For generations Worimi People have interacted with dolphins thorough gindal (playing), burugil (swimming) or even giribal (hunting).
Rebecca attended Urangan State High School in Hervey Bay where she completed Early Childhood Studies in Years 11 and 12. She has experience in Early Childhood Education as a Family Day Care Educator and Foster Carer. After high school Rebecca completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Biotechnology) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology. This led to employment within the healthcare industry in various roles including Medical Research Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Phlebotomist, and Assistant Nurse. Her role with QML Pathology as a Phlebotomist gained her a certificate III in Pathology along with a certificate in Drugs of Abuse Testing.
Rebecca has more recently completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and a Master of Science Research (Psychology) through the University of Southern Queensland. She has experience as a Casual Academic within the School of Psychology and Wellbeing at USQ.
She is currently employed as a Mental Health Worker with Wakai Waian Healing. Rebecca has a willingness to further her learning by seeking Provisional Registration as a Psychologist and to commence a Master of Clinical Psychology at Central Queensland University, Rockhampton.
Rebecca has a strong desire to help support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in her community with a focus on early childhood development and families.
Amy Purton-Long
Mental Health WorkerRockhampton
Amy was born in Naarm (Melbourne) and grew up in Victoria and overseas before moving to Queensland to complete her high school education in Yeppoon, on Dharumbal Country.
Amy is privileged to live and learn in this beautiful place, and also to have connections with Central Australia through her partner and children, who are Arrernte/Pintupi people and Traditional Owners of parts of magnificent Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges). Amy’s mother’s English heritage also influenced her upbringing, with visits to the United Kingdom to spend time with extended family.
Amy brings experience from a diverse background in the media and journalism industries, and more recently in disability and mental health recovery support work.
Amy began her time with Wakai Waian Healing as a placement student while completing a Master of Counselling with University of Canberra, and is now proud to be employed with WWH as a counsellor. Amy is further developing her skills in person-centered counselling within a creative, holistic framework, with a focus on cultural safety, strength and trauma-informed practice.
Amy has a keen sense of social justice and is passionate about working alongside people to support their health and wellbeing, deepen their self-worth, and increase empowerment, while simultaneously learning and developing as a practitioner and person.
Jhai Bartley
Provisional PsychologistRockhampton
Jhai was born in Rockhampton,Central Queensland, on the traditional land of the Dharumbal people. Descended from the Yiman people, the traditional custodians of the areas in and around Taroom, South West Queensland. Jhai currently resides in Nambour in South East Queensland, on traditional land of the Gubbi Gubbi peoples.
Jhai has completed a Bachelors of Social Science (Psychology) at the University of the Sunshine Coast and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) allowing for registration as a Provisional Psychologist. Jhai has worked in Disability and Mental Health support, assisting people with daily living and support to improve quality of life. Much of Jhai’s work has primarily been with youths, providing guidance to young peoples as a Therapeutic Youth Worker and Student Engagement Officer.
Jhai is passionate about seeing people and nature thrive and is pursuing full registration as a General Psychologist. Also pursuing registration with the Australian Indigenous Psychologist Association (AIPA) and the Australian Psychologist Society (APS). Jhai is very excited to expand his knowledge-base and incorporate better practices and models.
Luke Edmund
Counsellor/Mental Health WorkerRockhampton
Luke was born and raised in Rockhampton Central Queensland. He is a descendant of the traditional landowners, the Dharumbal People and also an Australian South Sea Islander.
After leaving school Luke worked across several sectors including construction, mining, small business, and disability support. In 2018 he enrolled in the CQ University STEPS program, which gave him the opportunity to study at university. In 2022 Luke completed a Bachelor of Science at CQ Univiersity. After completing his degree he took a break from university and worked in the Queensland Public Service, supporting Indigenous children and young people. This gave Luke experience working and supporting our communities’ most vulnerable children and their families.
Luke hopes to complete my postgraduate studies in psychology in the coming years, so he can contribute to improving the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in our community. Luke is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to Wakai Waian Healing and support individuals to hopefully improve aspects of their lives, and overall psychological well being.
Abbie Sandilands
Administration OfficerRockhampton
Abbie is a Barada and Gabalbara women whose country is from the Central Queensland region around the Middlemount area. The totem that belongs to the Barada people is Goodithulla, the wedge tailed eagle.
Abbie grew up in the Central Queensland region and completed her senior school education at The Rockhampton Grammar School. Abbie has since then completed a Certificate III in Business while working in a financial organisation as an administration officer.
Abbie is a keen learner and is passionate to further her knowledge on working in an environment that supports the health, social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Jeremy Kroll
Provisional PsychologistRockhampton
Jeremy acknowledges the Dharumbal Nation traditional custodians of the Rockhampton region in which he works, lives, and plays. He also recognises and pays respects to the traditional custodians of his hometown Biloela, the Gangulu people, where he was born and raised.
Jeremy moved to Rockhampton in 2018 to complete a Bachelors in Psychological Science, and completed his honours year in 2021 with CQUniversity. He is currently enrolled in a Masters of Clinical Psychology with CQUniversity.
Jeremy has a background as a support worker and researcher in the field of psychology. He is a passionate clinician who is eager to understand individual mental wellbeing, and support those in his community through therapeutic intervention and psychological assessment.
Tom Hearn
Marketing and Communications LeadRockhampton
Tom was born in Yeppoon on Dharumbal country and has four sons who were also born on Dharumbal country. He has lived and worked in the area for twenty years at BushTV which he founded in 2004. Tom has a Master of Arts in Documentary and honed his skills at the ABC in Melbourne making documentaries before starting BushTV and producing the much loved ‘Murri Minute’ program.
Tom is a passionate First Nations ally and has been working in the Indigenous media and marketing space for many years. He won the Queensland Government Reconciliation Award for training and employing First Nations people in Central Queensland. More recently he has collaborated with Ernie Dingo on various national campaigns including the remote Aboriginal men’s health program Camping on Country which won the Australian Men’s Health Award for best men’s program. His documentaries have won awards and appeared in various film festivals.
Tom’s role at Wakai Waian Healing is marketing and communications, branding, and engagement. He is also studying for a Diploma in Counselling and enjoys spending time with family and friends on Dharumbal country.
Giaan Fraser
Administration OfficerRockhampton
Giaan is a Gungulu woman, situated around the Central Queensland area including Mt Morgan. The Totem being the Carpet Snake, which is considered the spiritual brother of the Gungulu people.
Giaan has grown up in Rockhampton. Completing her Secondary School studies at the Cathedral College in 2022.
Giaan is an effective learner and very eager in learning and working in a background with Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders Mental Health, Wellbeing and emotional support.
Joe Sproats
PsychologistJoe identifies as an Aboriginal (Ngarigo) and Australian South Sea Islander (Lifou) with Irish and English bloodlines. He was born in Melbourne on Bun Wurrung lands and was raised in a white predominantly Irish Catholic household. Joe moved to Queensland 1979 and has lived here since, mostly residing around Ingham and Yarrabah in North Queensland.
Joe studied both Clinical and Organisational psychology and completed a research Master of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Policy and currently is fully registered as a Generalist Psychologist. Joe has held a number of management positions in the early part of his career with organisations in the Commonwealth, State, community and private sectors. In 2009 he established Dreamtime Learning his own full-time consultancy practice in Management, Training and Planning. In addition, in 2014 he established Dreamtime Counselling and Coaching Service to provide specialist Indigenous Counselling to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander people.
Joe has experience in working with First Nations People with a disability, working for Endeavour Foundation for five years in Mackay, and being the first manager of the Disability Service Program in Townsville when the Disability Services Act (1986) was initiated. Joe has held a range of voluntary positions on Boards and Committees within Queensland and has previously been a member of the Queensland Mental Health Review Tribunal.
Joe is an experienced Psychologist who is passionate about the empowerment and healing of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander Peoples.
Zachery Kaur
Operations ManagerZachery is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descendent. He was born and raised in
Rockhampton, Central Queensland, traditional land of the Dharumbal people and acknowledges his family connections and sense of belonging to the traditional land and people of the Ghungalu.
Zachery completed his senior schooling at Rockhampton State High School whilst completing a Certificate II in Business. Zachery had a few different roles before pursuing a career in Disability. He began by working in a Disability Employment Service which lead to being a NDIS Support Coordinator and finally ending up at a NDIS Partner in the Community as a Local Area Coordinator. It is through his extensive experiences within Disability Services that he has obtained valuable knowledge of the NDIS and it’s inner workings.
Within Wakai Waian Healing Zachery is in the NDIS Lead role, where he is responsible for the
organisations further advancement in accessing the NDIS and supporting more participants on the NDIS. Zachery is looking forward to further expanding his Disability career and is passionate about making a positive contribution to the community; particularly, enhancing the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons with disabilities.
Thursday Island Team
Troy Holland
PsychologistTroy Holland has worked as a psychologist for 18 years in Queensland across public, community and independent practice settings. He currently runs a practice named Quiet Place in Strathpine which he understands to be located on the traditional lands of the Turrball, Kabi and Waka peoples.
As a whitefella Australian man of mostly Cornish and Irish descent he sees himself as very privileged to have worked closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities for over 10 years in Central Queensland. He learned respectful practices and two-way learning journeys are vitally important. He documented aspects of these learnings in the article “Two-way learning as respectful community practice: Knowledge stories of the Men of the Mimosa Creek Healing Centre”.
Troy is also an accredited supervisor for the Psychology Board of Australia and an international faculty member of the Dulwich Centre Foundation. He is strongly influenced by narrative therapy and community work which locates people as the ‘experts of their own lives’ and acknowledges and responds to the effects of historical and current injustices on peoples’ lives.
Troy has a long and valued working and friendship associations with Edward Mosby. Quiet Place is honoured to be invited to collaborate with Wakai Waian Healing in their work on Waiben and with the peoples of the Torres Strait Islands.
Amanda Majid
Mental Health Worker TraineeThursday Island
Amanda is glad to be working with the WWH team and is currently completing her Bachelor of Social Work Degree with James Cook University.
As both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Amanda is proud to work within this sector with our First Nations people. Her family connections are to the Kuku-Yalanji, Girramay Tribe, Ugar Sam-Sep, Mariam- Peibre, Mbabaram,Gimuy-Walabarra Yidi Tribe
Personally, having yarns and being an attentive listener is something she aims to continue as a mental health worker trainee. Learning that the consumer has a story that she will relate to “Their story maybe my Story”. Another goal is training and providing the culturally appropriate tool that is required with the job.
For Amanda, helping others, camping, and spending time with her family is valuable, cooking and craftwork is another gift she draws from.
Amanda is looking forward to 2024 and training in the Mental Health Sector in the Thursday Island Torres Strait Region.
Pearl Akee
Mental Health WorkerThursday Island
Pearl was born and raised in Sydney, NSW. She is from the Nakorolevu clan of Lomanikoro, Rewa in Fiji and the Dauar-Meriam and Geuram tribes of Mer in the Torres Straits.
Pearl moved to Waibene Thursday Island in 2008 where she completed her last three years of high school, after high school she completed a 12-month traineeship in business/administration, she then worked as a special needs teacher’s aide and disability support worker for over 5 years. She found her passion for working with children and adults with special needs, which then led her into the field of social work. She has completed a Diploma in Community Services and is currently completing a Bachelor of Social Work at James Cook University.
Pearl values equality and traditional ways of knowing, she is excited to continue working with youth and the special needs community in enhancing their mental health, social and emotional well-being.
Pearl is a Mental Health Worker at Wakai Waian Healing on Thursday Island, she is thrilled to further her learning in this area and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders within the Torres Strait region.
Sandra Mayor
NDIS Support WorkerThursday Island
Sandra is a Proud First Nation Indigenous Mother of 5 and Grandmother of 2. Her family bloodline runs from Stephen, Darnley and Murray Islands in the Eastern Torres Strait all the way down to Cardwell in the South of Queensland and extends West to the Tablelands. Sandra’s tribes are Ugarumleh, Sam-Sep, Meriam Peibre, Ku Ku Yalangi, Yidinji, MBarbaram, Gimuy, Djirrbal and Girramay.
Sandra grew up in Innisfail and Townsville leaving Thursday Island as a child and returning at 15yrs old. She has been blessed in living on three Outer Islands in the East, namely Coconut, Darnley and Stephen Islands and enjoyed the experience of reconnecting with family, camping, boating and fishing. Sandra feels privileged to be living and working in the Torres Strait, the People, Culture and Family Connections are the reasons why we are so blessed to call Torres Strait home.
Sandra states that her new role as an NDIS Support Worker is a blessing as she has lived experiences with a child with a disability, Sandra says she can’t wait to help empower WWH consumers to live a fulfilling life.
Shanna Nai
Community and Cultural AdvocateShanna is a Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal woman. She was born and raised on Waibene (also known as Thursday Island), traditional land and seas of the Kaurareg people. She has family connections to the Kuku-Yalinji (the rainforest regions of Far North Queensland), and the Girramay tribe of Cardwell. She also has connections and family from Ugar Sam-Sep (also known as Stephen Island, Masig (also known as Yorke Island). Dauareb and Zagareb tribe and Magaram tribe of Mer (also known as Murray Island).
Shanna has always worked in the health field. Being able to deliver quality mainstream services to the people of Zenadh Kes in a culturally safe environment that respects cultural practices, traditions and lores while focusing on healing.
She has found her niche in the mental health field and is always expanding her knowledge and understanding by doing further studies to help those living within the Zenadh Kes Region.
Ivy Trevallion
Social WorkerThursday Island
Aunty Ivy Trevallion is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman from Dauan and Saibai Islands. Ms Trevallion has family connections to the Dhoeybaw, Saibai Keodal, Samu, Burum Thabu and Sui Baidam Clans. She speaks Kalau Kawaw Ya (KKY), Creole and English, with English being her 3rd language. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Queensland.
Aunty Ivy has undertaken a wide range of roles including assistant social worker at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medical Centre at Woolloongabba, Project Officer with the Department Seniors and Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Partnership (DSDSATSIP).
Aunty Ivy also plays a pivotal role in her community as an active board member on many committees such as Chairperson of Kupai Omasker Working Party, current President of Torres Strait Islander Media Association (TSIMA) and Board Member of Kaziw Meta Residential College. Aunty Ivy is also an organisational member of Mura Kosker Sorority and Lena Passi Women’s Shelter.
Aunty Ivy was recently elected as a Director of the Healing Foundation. She is a Co-Chair of Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa Advisory Group and she is also a member of the Queensland First Children and Families Board.
Aunty Ivy likes to potter in her garden, read and go fishing and her passion is justice in all areas for everyone.
Nambour Team
Kyra Dawbarn
Provisional PsychologistNambour
Kyra was born and raised in Toowoomba and has been living on the Sunshine Coast since the end of 2014. Kyra lived abroad in Hong Kong when she was 7-12 years old and this experience has allowed her to appreciate the beauty and diversity of different cultures.
Kyra has always been passionate about health care and worked in the industry since 2001 in various administrative roles. She has completed her Bachelor of Science in 2018 and her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2020 through the University of Southern Queensland, as well as a Diploma of Logotherapy in 2019.
Kyra will be completing her psychological internship with Wakai Waian Healing to become a Generalist Psychologist.
Kyra has a passion for empowering others and is excited for the opportunity of working with her local community to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Marcus Priaulx
CounsellorNambour
Marcus was born in England and migrated to Australia at 18 months of age. Raised in Warwick, Qld, Marcus left home at 17 and travelled extensively. He has worked with First Nations people for most of the past 20 years in various capacities.
Marcus has a Bachelor of Mass Communication, a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and is working towards a Master of Counselling Degree. He is a member of the Australian Counselling Association and says “connecting with strangers” is his favourite hobby. He loves counselling and the clarity it gives to people so they can lead happier lives.
NDIS
Tasha Lamey
NDIS Team LeadTasha is a proud Bidjira woman living and working in Rockhampton Central Queensland, traditional land of the Dharumbal people.
Tasha completed her senior schooling in Biloela and once completed relocated to Rockhampton. During this time Tasha completed Certificate III in Business Administration which then led a long career working in Queensland Health for 16 years. Tasha then started working at CQUniversity delivering the Community Aspirations Program in Education (CAP-ED) to provide information for mature aged people that University can be an option even though they may not have completed schooling.
Tasha’s career aspirations in Administration took a turn towards working and advocating for people with disabilities. Her lived experiences with her own son’s disability and navigating services for him gave her the opportunity and drive to advocate and support vulnerable people in the community. This led Tasha’s new career in becoming a NDIS Coordinator. During her time working as a Support Coordinator, Tasha felt the community needed more understanding on how to navigate the NDIS which led her to working at the NDIS Partner in the Community in the role as First Nations Local Area Coordinator.
Tasha has recently joined the team at Wakai Waian Healing in the NDIS Lead role and is excited and looking forward to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disabilities to help break down barriers and assist in building capacity for people to participate in everyday life activities
Honour Board
Mr Gil Thompson
The Late Mr Gil Thomsen, a proud Butchulla man, had a profound influence on Edward Mosby and the birth and development of Wakai Waian Healing.
Uncle Gils’ legacy will always remain strong at Wakai Waian Healing as we strive to fulfil his dreams and wishes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be provided with first rate healthcare.
Forever a strong Wook Koo Warrior.