GEGAC’s Culture Team at the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place in August 2025: Troy Brown, Alana Solomon, Zac Stewart (who recently transitioned into a new role at GEGAC), Aunty May Pearce, Joshua Tuiono and Keshia Harrison.
In the past couple of years GEGAC has done a lot of work to make sure that Aboriginal culture is an ever-present and tangible part of everything that happens across our organisation.
That includes very visible expressions of culture many of you will have seen in recent months, such as the Aboriginal cultural dance and didge workshops, the lessons in language, the cultural arts activities, and the community gatherings and yarning sessions.
But it also includes less visible but no less important things, such as investing in cultural supports for our Aboriginal staff, making sure our models of care and relationships with the community are all informed by cultural practice and cultural priorities, and embedding cultural education and training in our induction processes for everyone who works for, and with, GEGAC.
Behind this wide variety of work is GEGAC’s Culture Team, which has welcomed a few new members in recent months.
GEGAC’s Culture Team is led by Joshua Tuiono, who is GEGAC’s Deputy CEO and Executive Director of Culture, and Aunty May Pearce, Senior Manager of Culture.
The team also includes Alana Solomon, Cultural Manager – Early Years, Keshia Harrison, Business Support Officer, and Troy Brown, Cultural Officer.
The Culture Team is based out of the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place, and their role is critical and varied.
It includes:
- Conducting tours and cultural inductions at the Keeping Place;
- Leading cultural elements in our programs;
- Assisting with funeral support and cultural protocols in community;
- Ensuring GEGAC remains a culturally safe environment for staff, clients, and community;
- Implementing and monitoring adherence to the Cultural Framework;
- Leading and facilitating community consultations and advisory groups; and
- Providing oversight of cultural artefacts, including ensuring their care and preservation.
“This work is essential in upholding our commitment to culture, strengthening connections with community, and embedding cultural safety across all levels of GEGAC,” said Josh.
To learn more about the Culture Team and the work they do, reach out to them by emailing culturalteam@gegac.org.au
For more information about the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place, visit gegac.org.au/keepingplace/