Introducing the First Stories Aboriginal Advisory Group

August 8, 2025

The Centre for Stories is thrilled to announce the formation of its Aboriginal Advisory Group (AAG) for our First Stories project. This group of extraordinary individuals brings deep cultural knowledge, lived experience, and professional insight to guide the integrity and impact of First Stories.

In their own words, the AAG members have introduced themselves below:

Dr Cindy Solonec
Cindy is a Nyikina (Nigena) writer and the author of ‘Debesa: The Story of Frank and Katie Rodriguez’, Magabala Books, 2021. Born in Derby and schooled in Geraldton, much of her married life was spent in northwest WA towns. Today, she lives off-country on Whadyuk boodja in Boorloo. Now retired, Cindy’s previous employment was in higher education. A late comer to the literary community, she dabbles in short stories and has penned several Aboriginal themed book reviews. In 2023 Cindy was the Centre for Stories ‘Senior in Residence’. 

Duane Kelly
Duane is a Nanda and Amangu man from Yamatji country. He is passionate about assisting community access family history information through his current role at the Aboriginal History WA team. He feels that everyone has the right to know their family history, who they are and where they come from so that we can make a positive impact on tomorrow whether that’s within ourselves or community itself.

Megan Ugle
Megan is a Noongar female Poet belonging to the Ballardong/Wilman areas with three children and one granddaughter. She has many years of experience working within different government departments ranging from Housing, Child Protection, Health, Mental Health and Yorgum Healing Services. She has a debut poetry collection, called “Serenity Wargada” which explores themes of identity, family history and connection to country. Her cultural knowledge and experience inspire me to work within the community towards healing our culture, country and people. Megan is the Director of Walbrininy Ngulla Aboriginal Corporation and participates in the First Stories Aboriginal Advisory group for Centre for Stories.

Michelle Broun
Michelle is a proud Yindjibarndi woman living and working on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.  She is a curator, creative producer and cultural planner. 

Michelle was lead curator of Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn, (Our Heart, Country, Spirit) at WA Museum Boola Bardip from 2017-2020.  And the inaugural Australian First Nations Curator at John Curtin Gallery from 2021-2023 curating several exhibitions including Carrolup Coolingah Wirn – The spirit of Carrolup children and Tracing the Art of a Stolen Generation- the child artists of Carrolup, which toured to Manchester and Glasgow in 2022.  As an independent curator in 2024, she curated Wadjemup Wirin Bidi (Rottnest Island Spiritual Journey) Exhibition at the Wadjemup Museum (til October 2025).  She graduated in February 2025 with a Masters of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies at Deakin University, specialising in Curating and Collections.

Sharleah Ramirez
Sharleah is from the Pilbara and Kimberley Region (Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi, Karriyarra, Nyul Nyul & Nyikina). Holds a Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology & Sociology), worked in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage space nearly 7 years, currently working Everick Heritage & Foundation on Cultural Heritage Data Management & Cultural Mapping.

Toby Millar
Toby is a proud Larrakia and Wadjigan man and Cultural Engagement Manager at Reconciliation WA. With a strong focus on building sustainable, respectful relationships, Toby plays a key role in advancing reconciliation and cultural understanding across the state.

Kim Scott
Kim Scott is an award-winning novelist. Proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar Kim is also founder of Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories (www.wirlomin.com.au), a community organisation dedicated to the consolidation and enhancement of its members’ collective heritage and responsible for a number of bilingual (Noongar and English) picture books along with regional performances of story and song at schools and community events. 

A Companion to the Works of Kim Scott (Camden House, 2016), Kim Scott: Readers, Language and Interpretation (UWAP, 2019) and Writers on Writers: Tony Birch on Kim Scott (Black Inc., 2024) deal with aspects of his literary work. Kim was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 and became the inaugural Western Australian of the Year in 2012.  He is a member of the West Australian Writers Hall of Fame, and in 2022 was recognised as a Western Australian State Cultural Treasure.  Kim is currently John Curtin Distinguished Professor in the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry at Curtin University.

The Aboriginal Advisory Group officially began their appointment on 7 August 2025. We are deeply honoured to have their guidance as we continue to develop First Stories—an initiative dedicated to amplifying Aboriginal voices and storytelling in all their depth, truth and power.

Stay tuned as we share more from these incredible leaders and the impact they will help shape.