Graham Atkinson (Chairperson)

BSW, BA, MBA

17 July 2014 - Current

Graham Atkinson is a member of the Victorian Indigenous community. He graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Social Work in 1977 and a Bachelor of Arts in 1981, and from RMIT with an MBA in 1994. He is a former director on the boards of the Indigenous Land Corporation, National Centre for Indigenous Excellence and National Indigenous Pastoral Enterprises (2011-2015). He is a former board member of the North Central Catchment Management Authority and Parks Victoria (PV). He was also the former founding chair of Federation Enterprises Pty Ltd and Barpa Constructions Pty Ltd. He is currently a non-judicial member of the Judicial Commission of Victoria.  He is also currently a board member on the Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprise Board and its Investment Advisory Committee (IAC). He formerly chaired the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and led the Dja Dja Wurrung negotiating team’s successful Recognition and Settlement Agreement with the state government in 2013. In 2014, Graham was inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll, which recognises Aboriginal people, past and present, who make the most profound contribution to Victoria’s Aboriginal community and to the state of Victoria. Graham was recognised in 2017 for his lifelong contribution to land justice and the well-being of the Dja Dja Wurrung People. He was nominated for Senior Victorian of the Year 2018. In early 2021 he was appointed as a member of the Victorian Aboriginal Employment and Economic Council, and also the Melbourne Academic Centre of Health based at the University of Melbourne where he co-chairs the Aboriginal Leadership Group. He was recently appointed to the University of Melbourne's Traditional Owner Advisory Group (TOAG) as the Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners representative alongside other TO representatives.

Rodney Carter (Secretary's Nominee)

Diploma Government (Investigations)

2 January 2022 - Current

Rodney Carter is a descendant of Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta people and resides at Djandak his homelands at Central Victoria (his grandfather’s traditional Country). He has extensive experience in Cultural Heritage management and a particular interest in linking people to landscape through the integration of Biodiversity and Culture. Rodney currently works for DDWCAC as Group Chief Executive Officer. Prior to this he worked at the Game Management Authority and the Victorian Public Land Fire Management as a heritage specialist, also as a project manager for the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre as part of the Melbourne Museum project, and as Bunjilaka’s inaugural Centre Manager. Rodney is currently a member of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council and has been so for 19 years. He was a member of Museum Victoria’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, then a Regional Director of the North-West Regional Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Program. He has recently been elected to the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria for 'Treaty' and is the Elders Voice Co-Chair. A defining moment for Rodney was negotiating for, and being a signatory to, the Dja Dja Wurrung people’s native title settlement under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010.

Nikita Charles (Deputy Chair)

Certificate III Business, Certificate Land Management, Diploma Business, Diploma Leadership and Management

2 January 2020 - Current

Nikita’s Traditional Owner heritage is Dja Dja Wurrung through her father. Nikita celebrates her Culture as a Djaara woman and strives to raise her two son’s in an atmosphere of encouragement, pride & self-determination. Emerging as a community leader through her participation in Dja Dja Wurrung Youth Governance activities and contribution to the Djaara cultural renaissance, in 2020, Nikita was appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Dhelkunya Dja Land Management Board. Nikita worked at Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, trading as DJAARA, as the Program Manager, Member Engagement for many years, supporting the Membership with events, Community Support Programs, and many other tasks.

Aunty Marilyne Nicholls

Cert IV Cultural Heritage Management; Cert IV Conservation and Ecosystem Management; Other.

2 January 2020 - Current

Aunty Marilyne Nicholls is a recognised Victorian artist and traditional weaver practitioner based in Wood Wood, Victoria. Aunty Marilyne’s Apical Ancestry connects her with both fresh-water and saltwater Country of the Murray River, Victoria, and the saltwater people of the Coorong, South Australian coastal regions. Marilyne’s connections to Country are vast. Born in Swan Hill and growing up in rural Victoria has given Marilyne a deep understanding of Aboriginal issues, agricultural practices, cultural practices and Aboriginal healthcare. Marilyne’s professional career spanned 38 years in healthcare, Aboriginal health, and Community Development. After retiring from the health system, Marilyne travelled overseas, spending time with other First Nations People, to understand and exchange Cultural and Spiritual knowledge. Aunty Marilyne’s return to Dja Dja Wurrung Country enabled her to further connect with Djandak practices on Country, and to devote her time and energies and to sharing her knowledge as a Djaara descendant. Aunty Marilyne is passionate about involving the Dja Dja Wurrung Community in creating opportunities that are in line with the 2013 Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA) and the Dhelkunya Dja Dja Dja Wurrung Country Plan 2014 – 2034. To date Aunty Marilyne is an active member of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and Djandak Enterprises.

Kane Weeks

MBA, B.App.Sci (Parks Recreation and Heritage), PGC. (Tourism Futures)

30 July 2024 - Current

With extensive experience in land conservation, sustainable development, and resource management, Kane is the Regional Director, Northern for Parks Victoria and is based in Bendigo on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. He is passionate about working with Traditional Owners in joint management of national parks, and has previously worked for Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation as a General Manager managing a natural resource management business, Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises Pty Ltd. He is committed to advancing the responsible stewardship of natural resources through strategic planning, policy development, and collaborative partnerships. Kane brings over 26 years of expertise in managing land use projects that balance ecological health, community needs, and economic growth. In his role, Kane oversees the coordination of land management initiatives, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and promoting sustainable practices that safeguard the integrity of our landscapes for future generations. He is passionate about fostering innovation in land use planning, engaging with stakeholders, and contributing to the ongoing preservation of public and private lands.

Steve Hamilton

B.App.Sci (App Geology), MA (Env Eng), Diploma (Company Directors), GAICD

30 July 2024 - Current

Steve has over 27 years working across land management, environment, infrastructure and projects across Australia and Internationally, within the private and public sectors. Currently, Steve is the Regional Director, Loddon Mallee for DEECA, based in Bendigo on Dja Dja Wurrung Country; and lives with his family in Bullengarook, Victoria.

Steve is a passionate regional advocate and focusses his experience and knowledge towards identifying and advocating for positive and sustainable outcomes for regional communities, and to ensure that we share knowledge, stories and celebrate strong linkages to Country with our decision making and actions.

Steve has been a Senior Executive and Board member for a number of private sector businesses and public sector entities, most recently working for the City of Greater Bendigo and serving on the Board of LGPro (Vic), Victoria’s Local Government member organisation for advocacy, development and leadership. Steve is also the founder of several private businesses and has lengthy experience in business establishment, governance, growth, strategic planning and delivery.

Steve is extremely excited to be able to contribute to the DDLMB and looks forward to helping with the delivery of our goals and ambitions for the Appointed Lands.