Our People | Jimmy Pike Trust

Meet
our
committee

commitment with a shared purpose

Our dedicated committee oversees the Wyemando Bequest, as well as the Jimmy Pike Trust, and a part-time Project Officer supports its work.

COLEEN SHERRATT

Co-Chairperson

Coleen Sherratt is a proud Noongar Wadjak person. She currently works for the Department of Education as Principal Education Officer for Aboriginal Languages. In this role, Coleen also co-presents the Aboriginal Languages Teacher Training Course for speakers of Aboriginal traditional languages who work in schools. She is one of the officers within the Department to support Aboriginal Languages in Western Australian public schools. This course provides the participants with the skills necessary to teach their languages in classrooms.

Previously, Coleen worked in schools for 12 years, firstly as an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer, then Noongar language teacher before completing a Bachelor of Education at Curtin University.

In 2016, Coleen completed a Master of Indigenous Languages Educuation at University of Sydney.

COLEEN SHERRATT

Comittee Member

Hiroko, a proud Yawuru-Karajarri woman with Japanese heritage, hails from Broome, WA. With over two decades of experience in education, she is an experienced teacher who has spent more than ten years teaching an Aboriginal language. For eight years, she has also worked as a facilitator at the Mabu Yawuru Ngan-ga Language Centre in Broome.

Currently, Hiroko works in dual roles: teaching an Aboriginal language and contributing to the Aboriginal Languages Teacher Training course. Her passion lies in revitalising Aboriginal languages, and she is deeply committed to strengthening both language and culture within her community.

CAMERON TERO

Co-Chairperson

Cam grew up in country Western Australia - Kondinin and Kalgoorlie - and now lives in Perth with his family. Cam has worked for over thirty years in schools, universities, and community organisations, including as a teacher in Tjukurla in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands in Central Australia.

He is now based at Murdoch University in Perth where he coordinates the Community Development course, learning from and with students who are seeking to prepare themselves to be involved in thoughtful and practical and creative ways in the challenges they see around them in Australia and further afield.

He also loves dogs, the ocean, forests, footy, politics podcasts, and supporting the work of Wyemando in assisting community-based organisations that seek to preserve and reinvigorate Aboriginal languages across Western Australia.

BRIAN READ

Secretary

Brian is a Consultant Accountant to the Charity Sector, a member of CPA Australia and a board member of several charities. Prior to joining the board of Wyemando Bequest Inc, he was involved in advising the board for several years.

He retired from full time work as an accountant in the commercial sector in 2013 with over 30 years of experience handling reporting, financial control and taxation matters. He has a sound knowledge of BAS, GST, FBT matters.

Brian has had significant involvement in the Charity Sector before retiring, including Church Treasurer, former Chairman and Board Member of Baptist Churches Finance Board. He has also been involved in other denominational activities.

finn pedersen

Treasurer

Finn is an Architect and co-founder of IPH Architects, and seeks to work alongside communities to help overcome the impact of Colonisation. He has been working across the Lands of many First Nations People in Western Australia since 1992. He lived in Broome for five years and is passionate about contributing to the improvement of conditions for Aboriginal families in Australia.

Finn is a committed environmentalist and was the co-founder and current Board member of Environs Kimberley - a Broome based conservation group that works to protect the nature of the Kimberley.

john mogridge

Comittee Member

Kaya. I am John Mogridge. I am from Bibbulmun Boodja. I have 4 Daughters and I have connection thru family links in Yamatji, Yaru and I am proud of my heritage as my knowledge keeps me positive and grounded. I have lived all thru Western Australia from Carnarvon, Port Headland Kununurra and Wyndham the later where I met more family. I have gotten to know my Culture from the South West and I am passionate about our young people needing to know who they are and where they are from thru culture.

I have my four beautiful daughters and now two beautiful grandsons that will be learning all I know and more. I currently work for the City of Swan as a A.E.W and I am here to help people open their eyes to the richness of the Culture of the First People’s of this Boodja thanks for the inclusion to be a part of this group.

DR MATT BYRNE

Committee Member

Dr Matt Byrne is an Associate Dean (Primary) for the School of Education at Edith Cowan University. Matt is an experienced teacher, teacher educator and researcher. He is involved in Aboriginal education and research and the development of cultural competency within the university, public and private sector. Matt is currently leading a number of research projects with Foodbank WA investigating the impact of Foodbank’s Healthy ‘Food For All’ Strategy on schooling which includes the School Breakfast Program. In collaboration with Monash and Charles Sturt University Matt in 2016 was a part of a successful Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) Innovation and Development Grant ‘Engaging and partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and community to improve student outcomes’.

Matt is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the Telethon Kids Institute (WA) working with Professor Donna Cross and the Health Promotion and Education Research group.

ZORA

Project Officer

Zora manages the day-to-day administration of the Trust as well as the annual Jimmy Pike Trust Aboriginal artist-in-residence scholarship, which offers artists from the Kimberley region of Western Australia the chance to participate in printmaking workshops at Edith Cowan University.

She also contributes to the re-invigoration of Aboriginal languages and culture by working alongside First Nations led organisations and communities through her work with Wyemando Bequest.

Through her work, Zora aims to strengthen connections, nurture ideas, and encourage the growth and development of Aboriginal artists across Western Australia.

in memorium

It is with great sadness that we honour the passing of Pat Lowe, Katrina Drayton and Noel Harding, whose dedication to the preservation of Aboriginal culture and language has left an enduring legacy at Wyemando Bequest. Their tireless work and passionate advocacy have significantly impacted our mission and the Communities we support.

Their commitment to cultural preservation will continue to inspire us all, and their contributions will be remembered. We are deeply grateful for their time with us and extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones. May they rest in peace.