Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre

Yesterday we celebrated a big milestone for Chanelle van den Berg, Pro Vice Chancellor First Nations, who formally completed her Confirmation of Candidature for her PhD 🎓✨

Chanelle is a proud and passionate Noongar leader whose work has created and continues to shape meaningful change, both through her academic journey and her leadership at Murdoch University. This milestone marks an important step in her research pathway, affirming the strength, vision and impact of her work ahead.

At Kulbardi, we’re incredibly proud to walk alongside our leader Chanelle who embodies knowledge, integrity and community. Your dedication inspires us all 💛

Congratulations Chanelle! We can’t wait to see what comes next.

Meet Brad Vitale 👋🏾
Kulbardi is proud to introduce Brad, Lecturer with the School of Indigenous Knowledges team at Murdoch University.
Brad is a proud Noongar Yamatji man, with family connections to Bindjareb, Wardandi, Wilman, Kaneang and Minang Countries of the Noongar Nation, predominantly through the Wallam line. At Murdoch, Brad brings a strong background in cultural leadership and on-ground community development, grounding his work in both lived experience and deep community connection.
Passionate about Two-Way Knowledge Systems, Brad champions the equal partnership of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western academic concepts. Through his teaching, he empowers students to recognise the profound value of First Nations knowledges in today’s world, creating learning spaces that are respectful, inclusive, and transformative.
As a dedicated advocate for community, Brad plays a vital role in building a culturally safe environment across the university. His experience in Indigenous governance and fostering cultural competence helps ensure Murdoch is a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, values, and futures truly thrive.

How can students engage with Brad?
✨ Learn through Two-Way Knowledge approaches in his teaching and learning spaces
✨ Engage with First Nations perspectives embedded across curriculum and discussions
✨ Be part of culturally safe and inclusive learning environments through the School of Indigenous Knowledges units
✨ Connect with ideas that centre community, Country, and shared knowledge

Brad is here to support your learning journey, helping you deepen your understanding of First Nations knowledge systems and their relevance in today’s world.

Meet Elisha Jacobs-Smith 👋🏾
Kulbardi is proud to introduce Elisha, Senior Training and Engagement Manager, First Nations at Murdoch University.
Elisha is a proud and lubly Whadjuk Noongar. At Murdoch, he leads the development and delivery of cultural leadership, cultural capability, and engagement initiatives that embed First Nations perspectives across the university. His work focuses on creating culturally safe, meaningful learning experiences through training, storytelling, and community connection.
Working alongside students, staff, and community, Elisha co-designs programs and events that build cultural capability, strengthen relationships, and deepen connection to Country. He is passionate about supporting students to feel seen, supported, and connected throughout their journey.

How can students engage with Elisha?
✨ Join Kulbardi workshops, training, and cultural learning experiences
✨ Take part in events that centre First Nations voices, stories, and knowledge
✨ Get involved in programs that build cultural leadership and connection to Country
✨ Connect through meaningful conversations and shared learning opportunities on campus

Elisha is here to support your journey, whether you’re beginning your learning or looking to deepen your connection and understanding.

Meet Jonathan Burrill 👋🏽
Kulbardi is proud to introduce Jonathan, part of the School of Indigenous Knowledges at Murdoch University.
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Jonathan moved to Perth with his family in 2007. With a background in community development and sociology, he’s deeply committed to social justice, equity, and the power of education to create meaningful social change.
At Murdoch, Jonathan’s work centres on strengthening student engagement and creating positive, supportive learning environments. He’s passionate about building spaces where students feel empowered, respected, and connected, not only to each other, but to broader community and social outcomes. He also contributes to important work with the First Nations Projects team, supporting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and Ethical Research Guidelines.
Jonathan’s approach is grounded in inclusion, connection, and community, and he’s always up for a yarn. You’ll usually find him around Kulbardi during the week, ready to support students however he can.
 
How can students engage with Jonathan?
✨ Drop in for a yarn or a chat anytime
✨ Get support around student life, wellbeing, and connection
✨ Talk through creating a positive and engaging uni experience
 
Jonathan is here to support your journey at Murdoch, feel free to stop by, have a yarn, and get connected 🤝🏽

Meet Nik Bennell 👋🏾
Kulbardi is proud to introduce Nik, Student Success Advisor at Murdoch University.
Nik’s Mob is Bennell’s, Blurton’s, Collard’s and Hansen’s on her mum’s side, and Cockie’s, Newell’s and Hart’s on her dad’s side. At Kulbardi, Nik is part of the Student Success Team, where she supports students to feel confident, connected, and empowered throughout their university journey.
Nik’s approach is all about having a yarn, creating a relaxed and welcoming space where students can talk through anything on their mind. Whether it’s academic support, navigating uni systems, or just figuring things out along the way, Nik is here to help make the experience feel a little easier (and less overwhelming).
You’ll often find her ready for a chat - and yes, there’s a comfy bean bag waiting for you too.
 
How can students engage with Nik?
✨ Drop in for a yarn about uni life, studies, or anything in between
✨ Get support with academic challenges or staying on track
✨ Chat through navigating university systems and expectations
✨ Connect in a relaxed, welcoming space (bean bag included!)
 
Nik is here to support your journey at Murdoch, feel free to stop by, have a yarn, and get connected.

Meet Allana Sheppard 👋🏾
Kulbardi is proud to introduce Allana Sheppard. Allana is a proud Whadjuk Noongar yorga and the Senior Advisor First Nations at Murdoch University.
Allana leads and supports initiatives that strengthen cultural safety and help attract, develop and retain First Nations talent across the University. Her work contributes to creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and communities feel respected, valued and empowered.
Working under the guidance of the Pro Vice Chancellor First Nations and alongside People and Culture, Allana partners with key areas across Murdoch including the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, School of Indigenous Knowledges, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, and the Waardong Indigenous Veterinary Program. Through this work, she helps drive meaningful and sustainable outcomes for First Nations peoples in higher education.
Allana is passionate about strengthening workforce initiatives, supporting culturally responsive practices, building strong partnerships, and contributing to systems and environments where First Nations people can thrive.
 
How can students engage with Allana?
✨ Reach out for guidance, information, or a yarn
✨ Explore opportunities like the Aboriginal Talent Register
✨ Share ideas and connect through meaningful conversations
✨ Be part of safe, supportive spaces grounded in respect and collaboration
 
Allana values connection and relationship building, and is always open to engaging with students, staff and community.

Yesterday marked National Sorry Day, a time of deep reflection that we walk in the footsteps of Elders and community leaders who have devoted their lives to advocacy, healing, and truth-telling in response to the trauma of the Stolen Generations. Their work reminds us that the impacts of this history continue to be felt today, not only by those directly affected, but by their descendants who are still seeking healing, reconnection, and a renewed sense of identity.

At Kulbardi, we see this reality every day. We see First Nations students coming through our doors looking for a place where they can feel safe to be themselves, and where they can begin or continue their journey of reconnecting with culture, community, and identity. For many, there is a deep sense of absence, an empty space where culture, language, and belonging should be. These are the enduring scars of the Stolen Generations, and they cannot be ignored.

Kulbardi stands as a place of acceptance, support, and possibility. We want you to know that you are welcome here exactly as you are. We are committed to walking alongside you, nurturing your cultural knowledge, strengthening your identity, and supporting your leadership development as part of your broader academic journey. This commitment is not just words; it is embedded in our strategic priorities and brought to life through initiatives like the Boordawan Movement.

As we now move into National Reconciliation Week, we also call on our non-Indigenous colleagues and wider community to step forward with us. This is a time to move beyond acknowledgment and into meaningful, sustained action.

We are going All In — the question is, are you ready to go All In with us?

In preparation for the coming rain, we planted Quandongs (Santalum acuminatum), Murin Murin (Scaevola spinescens), and Dongalang (Rhodanthe chlorocephala - Everlasting seeds) together in the Kulbardi Garden.

These lubly plants were sourced from Wheatbelt Native Gardens and we’re so happy to have Quandongs, an important medicine plant, and colourful everlastings now growing here at Kulbardi for the future.
This planting was guided with care, following strict and important instructions from Richard McDowell from Wheatbelt Native Gardens, ensuring these plants are given the best start to thrive.

There’s something powerful about growing knowledge, culture and connection through living plants. We look forward to watching them flourish and continuing to care for this space together 💖

Meet Jesse Griffiths 👋🏾
Kulbardi is proud to introduce Jesse Griffiths. Jesse is a Badimia Yamatji man and First Nations Strategic Projects Lead at Murdoch University.

Jesse plays an important role in strengthening the systems and pathways that support First Nations students across the university. His work focuses on improving processes and structures to ensure students have access to an experience that is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to their needs.

Through his leadership, Jesse contributes to creating a university environment where First Nations students feel supported throughout their journey, from enrolment through to completion. His approach is grounded in a strong commitment to equity, cultural respect, and continuous improvement, ensuring that systems work for students and reflect their strengths, voices, and aspirations.

In his role at Murdoch, Jesse works behind the scenes to influence meaningful change, shaping how services are designed and delivered to better support First Nations student success. His work helps create stronger foundations for students to thrive in a culturally safe and supportive environment.

How can students engage with Jesse?
✨ Connect through initiatives that improve student support systems and experiences
✨ Share feedback to help shape inclusive and accessible processes
✨ Engage with services designed to support your journey at Murdoch
✨ Be part of a university community working towards better outcomes for First Nations students

Jesse is here to support your journey by helping create the systems and environments that enable you to succeed.