A proud Ballardong Noongar and Banjima woman, living and working on Wardandi Country for more than 30 years. She is related to the Sara and Swan families in the Pilbara, and Howard families in the Northam/Toodyay area. Her maternal grandparents were impacted by the 1905 Act, both taken away from their families at an early age, then placed at Sister Kate’s Children’s Cottage Home in Perth. 

Michelle is the driving force behind the South West Aboriginal Women’s Collective (SWAWC). Women are working to address priority areas of concern and create pathways and opportunities for Aboriginal women in the South West region. 

Michelle has also been an instrumental in developing Ember Connect, an online platform developed by Aboriginal women for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and Allies to gather, share stories and make genuine connections. 

The first of its kind in Australia, the small charity is dedicated to equipping women to practice agency over their own lives, by facilitating healing conversations, inspirational webinars, and personal and professional learning that are designed to elevate knowledge, connection, and exciting new possibilities.