Meet the Team

Uncle Ray Leslie, Aboriginal elder

Uncle Ray Leslie is a Gamilaroi man and Elder in Western Sydney. He has over 40 years of experience working in Aboriginal Affairs across New South Wales including a substantial part of his career committed to working (often unpaid) with Aboriginal peoples and communities in Western Sydney. Career highlights include being the first Chairperson for the Aboriginal Medical Service in Mount Druitt in 1986, the first Aboriginal person to stand for a major political party in Australia for the seat of Parkes Federal Election, the successful lobbying to the Dominican Sisters and Government Departments for funding and creation of a tertiary hostel for Indigenous University and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) students in Bathurst NSW, numerous Chairperson and member roles of committees including employment, education, health, housing and justice including circle sentencing and prisoner rehabilitation.

Of particular note was Uncle Ray’s five years service with the Home and Community Care State Advisory Committee and being the NSW representative on the National Management and Training manual package. He was also instrumental in developing services for Aboriginal Home Care for the Central Orana Far Western NSW. He also served on two TAFE boards in Bathurst and Mount Druitt.

Uncle Ray is currently serving as a 25 year volunteer on the Aboriginal Advisory Committee for Housing/FACS in Western Sydney. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his work with Aboriginal peoples and communities and in 2017 was nominated for Australian of the Year.

Uncle Ray visits KRMC every Monday and Wednesday from 10.00am - 3.00pm.  Sitting in Coffee 36, he welcomes everyone to come and yarn with him about matters health-related or otherwise. 

Uncle Ray is a member of the KRMC Aboriginal Advisory Committee and is a proud supporter of the Rabbitohs.  

Vanessa Dennis, Aboriginal Liaison Officer / Receptionist

Vanessa is a Gamilaraay woman.  She has extensive experience in mental health and community development. She is currently studying for a Certificate in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health at NSW TAFE.

Vanessa is a member of the KRMC Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Christine Gittoes, Receptionist

Christine is a Wiradjuri woman, born in Wellington, NSW.  She has worked in the medical industry for 28 years and at KRMC she is a Receptionist and a member of the Corporate Health Service team.  Christine has also been a member of the  Woodcroft Festival Committee team for the past 7 years.  

 

Dr. Lana Leslie-Henfling, PhD, MSoc Sci, BSoc Sci,  Aboriginal Engagement Consultant

Lana is a Gamilaroi woman.  Lana has over 25 years of experience in Aboriginal higher education, Aboriginal research, community development and policing. She has lectured at Universities since 2007 teaching in community development, social science research (with expertise in Aboriginal research), Indigenous studies and social work. She is also a regular invited guest speaker and keynote speaker at universities and conferences. In addition, Lana has worked at all levels of Government in sport and recreation and more broadly community development roles. Lana has worked as a Consultant for many years assisting not-for-profit and for-profit organisations in various projects relating to research and Aboriginal engagement.

Lana holds a PhD in Human Geography from Macquarie University; a Master of Social Science from Edith Cowan University and a Bachelor of Social Science from Edith Cowan University.

KRMC Aboriginal Advisory Committee: Chair

Dolie Ufi, Aboriginal Health Support Worker

Dolie is an Aboriginal Gamilaroi Tongan woman.   

She holds a Diploma in Leadership & Management, a Diploma in Counselling and a Certificate in Community from NSW TAFE and is in the process of completing her Certificate in Primary Healthcare with the Aboriginal Health College.  Dolie focuses on improving access to KRMC's services for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  She will become KRMC's first Aboriginal Health Practitioner in 2018.    

Dolie is a member of the KRMC Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

Raymond Weatherall, Aboriginal Educarer

Raymond is a proud Gamilaraay man who comes from Collarenebri.  He has spent much time sharing his cultural knowledge in communities across rural New South Wales.  

Raymond holds a Diploma in Counselling, a Diploma in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Advocacy and a Diploma in Leadership & Management. He has considerable experience working with young Aboriginal men particularly in connection with providing counselling support to those who are managing alcohol & other substance dependency issues.  

Raymond's role is to provide support for male Aboriginal patients and to assist in the preparation of their care plans and health assessments.  Raymond will also be providing counselling support to these patients. He will be in the Centre every Wednesday.

Raymond is a member of the KRMC Aboriginal Advisory Committee.