Dr. Melisah Feeney - CEO

I have been involved in a wide range of social and emotional well-being projects with Indigenous communities over the past 15 years in my work as a psychologist and community activist.
I helped set up the Footprints in Time project which is a national study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and what helps them group up strong.  In consultation with the Stolen Generation Alliance members I developed a paper on Aboriginal focused Healing Models.  I was also a previous adviser for the Cooperative Research Centre's Social and Emotional Wellbeing program.  In teaching psychology I was involved in a number of projects with students that explored the role of connectedness to culture in enhancing the mental health of Aboriginal parents and the impact of the Government's National Apology on lowering racism and prejudice. I was a member of the Journey of Healing committee in Canberra and involved in helping organise Sorry Day events. I have worked on a range of projects in remote Australia that aimed to enhance the service levels to Aboriginal people.  I have Celtic roots with my ancestry originally convict stock from Ireland. 

Brian Marshall Jnr. - External Services Delivery Manager

I am from the Bundjalung nation in NSW.  I have completed a Bachelor of Archaeology (Hons) from the Flinders University of South Australia and am currently undertaking Post-grad studies. It is an honour to be able to work with the Qld Link-Up team as their Team Leader. It is very refreshing to have the opportunity to work with an organisation that has a positive impact on the Indigenous community. My previous employment has been within the University sector as a lecturer and researcher. My current vocational study is a collaborative approach between my father and I to tell his story as a Stolen Generations man. It has been a very difficult journey for both of us, but one that has allowed us to laugh and cry throughout our journey together. I believe that there are many other Stolen Generations members out there who need to have the opportunity to find where they are, and who their families are and also have the opportunity to laugh and cry throughout the journey.

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Mick Angeles - Multimedia & Marketing

My roots expand to the Binbinga mob, Boorooloola on the McArthur River NT and Barunggam mob out Chinchilla Q. I also have South Sea Islander "kanaka" from Ober Island, New Hebrides (Ambae Island, Vanuatu), Phillipino (Angeles City of course) and Scandinavian (Sweden) bloodlines (I'm an ABBA original), and now that I've shaken the family tree, some Japanese has fallen out as well. I originally thought my mob came from Hollywood. I'm a bit of a licorice allsorts.
I am a professional musician/singer & built my own home-based Recording Studio. I am also a professional photographer and videographer and ran my own freelance photographic business. I love being photographically creative and have produced short films with original soundtracks for private & government entities. I joined Link-Up (Qld) on 25th June 2007 to setup their website. I have a Diploma in Information Technology (Multimedia Integration), Diploma in Cartooning & Illustration and Asc. Diploma in Photography.
I believe the services, care and professionallism I have witnessed at Link-Up(Qld) is a major contributor to their successes in reuniting families of the Stolen Generations.

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Mati Mistry - SEWB Counsellor (Brisbane)

Hello I’m Mati Mistry and I have been working at Link-Up since Feb 2010. I have a background in Mental Health and the Arts.
I believe that everyone has the right to lead a meaningful life where they feel they are flourishing as individuals in their spirituality, culture, family and community. The support programmes we have developed at Link-Up are aimed with this goal in mind.
In July last year I had the opportunity to work with one of our Link-Up (Qld)  Directors Norm Sheehan using his connective art methodology. The result of the art initiative “Sustaining Connections” was immensely powerful in that it gave many people in urban, regional and remote areas of Queensland an opportunity to get together and paint their stories. 
I feel exceeding blessed to be part of the Link-Up team   and hope to continue to support the development of stronger flourishing communities.

Ruthie Link -SEWB Counsellor (Brisbane)

Hi everyone. I am a descendant of the Goreng Goreng people (Gladstone, Bundaberg).  I spent my youth growing up in inner Brisbane. I have just completed two Diplomas at Southbank Institute in Community Services. I am a Mother, an aunt, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, but most of all an Indigenous Woman.
Healing the past for my people is the beginning for us to live the best lives possible for ourselves, our children and our Community and I hope we can work together to  achieve that during my employment with Link-up(Qld) as a SEWB Counsellor.

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Catherine Illin (Prior) - SEWB Counsellor (Cairns)

I was born in Ingham in the early 50’s to George Prior (Birri Gubba) & Trixie Prior nee Cooktown (Kanju). I graduated from James Cook University in 1997 with a degree in Social Work and am passionate passionate about providing services to my people that are centered around self empowerment.  .  I have worked in many communities around Queensland and New South Wales, where I have extended family.  I have two adult children and four grandchildren and I am a very proud and strong Aboriginal woman.

Jody Jackson - Caseworker

I'm a proud Koori of the Kamilaroi and Bundjalung Nations in NSW. I have been employed with Link-Up (Qld) since August 2005 as a caseworker. I have previously been employed in a number of roles within the Brisbane ATSI community organisations including Domestic Violence Support and Refugee worker, Housing Support worker for youth, Female Youth Support worker, Book-keeper, Admin Officer and Teacher's Aide. My main interests are my family (my husband and two daughters), Basketball, Touch Footy and Rugby League.
I am a proud Great Aunty to my darling nephew Jayden and great niece Shailla.

Karen Collins - Caseworker

I am a proud Aboriginal woman who has Cultural connections with three different Tribes, one being the Goreng Goreng Tribe around the Bundaberg/Gladstone (PCCC) Port Curtis Coral Coast through my Grandfather, Wakka Wakka in the Central Burnett/South Burnett area through my Grandmother and Wulli Wulli through my Mother around the Dawson Theodore region.  I have been employed with Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation since April 27,  2010 as a Caseworker.  I have previously been employed in various roles whilst working in both mainstream and Aboriginal Community Organisations including Ipswich Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Legal Services, Borallon Correctional Centre and CTC Employment Services and have been on the Board of Directors of various Community Organisations.  However, I am very priviledged and passionate about  working with clients of the Stolen Generations.  My interests are spending time with my family (my Husband, five children and grandchildren), and watching Rugby League, Tennis or Boxing.

Bernard Kelly-Edwards - Caseworker

I am a 30 yr old Gumbayngirr boy from the mid north coast of NSW (Nambucca Heads) who left school back in '96 and went to Sydney and work with various departments and agencies over a period of 10 years. I recently completed media studies at Batchelor Institute in NT and my strongest passion is photography. I have worked for Legal Services, Fair Trading Departments and Corrective Services in NSW then after a period of time decided to make a move north to Yuggera (Brisbane) country and start a new life after testing times in my life. I have turned my life around and worked for a Job Network company in Logan in '08 and resigned from there to continue my passion in photography. When I was experiencing my testing times I became involved in a program called Red Dust Healing and I am currently an advocate for this program becoming an example of someone that has changed their life for the better.  
I aspire to direct short films and have created 3 short dvd’s which capture a fraction of my life. I am very excited to join LUQ as i feel that my experience and understanding will benefit the people involved and help find peace within.

Henrietta Hunter - Caseworker

I have a loving and supportive husband and 3 beautiful children, 2 boys and a girl.   My family ties are Kaitidj and Walpiri people Central Australia and Irish thrown in from my mother side, Tiwi and Iwaidja people through my father side.  Both my parents are from the Stolen Generation.  I come from a large family of 12 of which I am the 6th child with 8 sisters and 3 brothers.  I commenced worked with Link-Up (Qld) on 15th December 2009 as a Caseworker. 
I have worked and lived in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders  communities areas of Darwin, Tennant Creek, Nguiu (Bathurst Island) NT and Charters Towers regions.  My work background is employment, education, training, youth affairs, mining and community services. My interests are family including my very big extended family, basketball, Aussie Rules, Rugby League, swimming sun-surf-sand and fishing. I am currently studying part-time at James Cook University Cairns Campus in Bachelor of Community Welfare. I’m very excited to be part of a wonderful team and I’m looking forward to making new friends and settling into my new life in Brisbane.

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Nicholas Thompson - Caseworker (Cairns)

My name is Nick. I’ve been with Link-Up for the past two and half years based in the Far North Queensland office.  Over that period of time it has been a great privilege to work alongside Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people reconnecting and learning more about their families, culture, Country and Kin.  I personally have a great interest in social policy and its effects on the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community.  I have worked over the Cape the Straits and in the Central Desert communities of the Northern Territory and find great energy, drive and rapport working with the ever resilient and determined First Nation People.

I come from Irish convict stock but my partner and extended family are members of the Guru Gulu & Guru Banna clans of the Gungandji Nation. Their own lived experiences of the Aborigines Preservation and Protection Act has shaped my beliefs in self determination, active consultation, reconciliation and compensation as pillars of any meaningful and socially just policy.  I am active within the Community and Public Sector Union, Indigenous Peoples Organisation’s Section and enjoy participating in the multicultural community of the Cairns West Area where I live.  Members of the Stolen Generation continue to inspire me with their resilience, capacity, and determination and I consider it incredibly rewarding work to be able to be a part of the Link-Up Qld team.

Matthew Malone - Caseworker (Cairns)

I am Cherbourg born and raised, however, my lineage extends from Claremont/Alpha on my father’s side and Mitchell on my mother’s side.  I come from a family of 13 (8 sisters and 4 brothers) and 5 – 6 years of my life was spent in the Cherbourg Boys Dormitory.  Prior to my employment at Link-Up (Qld),  I was employed as a BTH Counsellor in Cherbourg.  I was educated in Cherbourg and Murgon.  Since I began my work career I have spent a lot of time in the Public Service and Government in Qld and the ACT, but lately my focus has changed and I am more inclined to work in the Community sector.  I like working for community, and my major goal in life is to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle and to see all my grannies grow up.

Llewellyn Williams - SEWB Counsellor

I have both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.  On my mother’s side I am a descendant of the Wakka Wakka and Wulli Wulli people from the Eidsvold, North Burnett region of QLD and Theodore, Dawson/Callide region of Central QLD.  On my father side, I am Torres Strait Islander from Ugar (Stephen Island) which is situated in the Eastern Islands.  I obtain a Masters in Media Arts & Production & Bachelor of Health Science (Aboriginal Health and Community Development) Hons.  I am currently doing post graduate studies to continue the provision of high quality services for our Link-Up clients.  It is an honour & privilege to be able to work with our clients of the Stolen Generation to reunite them with their families, reconnect with their cultural ties and to assist in healing the hurts of the affects of past government polices separating our peoples.

Kerry Anne Sandow - Admin Team

Simon Toka - Admin Team

I originate from a small island in Vanuatu named Ambae (Aoba).I have a Bachelor of Business Management, a Diploma in Business and Accounting Studies, and am a member of the International Management Centre Association from Buckingham, England.  My previous employment includes ten years as Airline Revenue and Management Accountant, seven years in NGO as Finance and Administration Manager.  My last  employment was for a Micro Financing company that aimed to raise the living standards of people from low economic areas through providing opportunities for starting small business adventures. I come from humble beginnings and know the importance of family and culture.  I am currently employed at Link-Up as the Business and Finance Manager and find it a great privilege to work for a passionate organization, helping reunite families. I married an Indigenous Woman, a descendent from the Jinaburra (Woodford), Wurramunga (Brunette Downs NT) and Gunditjmara (Portland,Vic) nations.

Margaret North - Caseworker

I am a descendant of the Bidjara tribe around the Charleville region (Qld). I moved to Brisbane (the big concrete jungle) around 8 years ago.
I am a  proud mother of four sons and nine grandchildren.
I have recently completed a Diploma of Family Iintake and Community Support Work at Brisbane's Southbank TAFE College.
Being a descendant of the Stolen Generations, I have a passion to work with my mob and help them trace their family and take them back to country so I am privileged to be employed by Link Up.

Ruth Loli - Family Research Officer

I commenced work at Link-Up as a Research Officer in June 2009.  I have a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in anthropology. 
Prior to Link-Up, I worked in the field of native title.I have a strong commitment to the vision and work of Link-Up and value my opportunity to be part of the team. 
I am passionate about using my research skills to trace families and communities and to assist in our clients' journeys of healing.
I come from a multi-cultural background and am a proud mother of two beautiful children.  I work part time and am in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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Janine Dunleavy - Family Research Officer

I am a mother of three, grandmother of three and a woman who is very proud to be of Koori descent. I also have a Bachelor of Anthropology and a Masters of Environment. In my great grandmother’s generation she and other members of our mob were removed to Brisbane as part of the Aboriginal labour force for the township and my family have been here ever since. During the course of my tertiary education, I began to understand the enormity of the fracture created by government policies and processes, not just in my family, but across the whole of Aboriginal society. I feel privileged to be a member of the Link-Up team and contribute my research skills and life experience to the great work that Link-Up does in reconnecting Stolen Generations' families.

Yvonne Cavanagh - Executive Assistant

Lyn Walsh - Admin Team

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Kerriann Toms - Admin Team

Link-Up has been a great place for me to learn about the Stolen Generations and I enjoy supporting other people who are looking for their family. I am a product of the Stolen Generations. Both my parents were taken away from their families when very young. My Father spent his childhood at Kinsela Boys Home, and my Mother in Cootamundra Girls Home. I was adopted into a white family as a baby and grew up with no idea of my culture or birth parents .
Fortunately for me, that all changed with the help of Link-Up, who found my Mother about 3 years ago and organised a reunion between us. It was a wonderful experience, and I was extremely surprised to find that I had another 5 brothers and sisters, and 13 nieces and nephews. Just last year, my Mother, managed to track down my Father, and again Link-Up stepped in and arranged a reunion which was quite incredible. This time, I found out that I had another 7 brothers and sisters, and I’m not sure how many nieces and nephews (but there’s a few!)
It is for these reasons I felt the need to work at Link-Up, as they have provided two wonderful life experiences for me. I truly hope, that if you are thinking about searching for your family, or waiting for information, that Link-Up can provide you with the closure, healing, and/or happiness which I have gained through their support.

Jasmin Brady - Caseworker (Cairns)