YCCC Steering Committee

Ashleigh grew up in the City of Melton and is now raising her two young children there.

She is the City of Melton’s first Aboriginal Councillor and has a strong community connection and heritage to the Wiradjuri people.

Ashleigh is a registered nurse and holds a Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Biomedical Science, completing her studies at Victoria University. She works as a registered nurse in a Melbourne hospital and has been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ashleigh is committed to advocating for a healthy, safe and strong future for the community she represents.

Cr Greg James was elected in October 2020, as the first Indigenous person elected as Councillor in the City of Greater Shepparton.

A very proud Yorta Yorta Man, Greg was born in Mooroopna and has lived in the Goulburn Valley most of his life.

Greg attended school in Shepparton and also Melbourne University with two degrees in Education.

Greg holds a position as a representative of various Boards and is an active member within the community, community sport and an Aboriginal artist in a number of mediums.

He aims to be a positive role model for all of the Aboriginal community and create a positive pathway for our future young Indigenous leaders.

Alan Brown

Alan Brown is a Gunditjmara man, born and raised in Melbourne. He holds extensive experience and leadership, including sport and education initiatives and was one time manager of Bunjilaka at Melbourne Museum. He has 38 years of intimate involvement and leadership at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS), including advocacy for local Aboriginal community control of health service delivery at a state, national and international level. Alan continues his work as the VAHS ambassador.

Alan is currently co-chair of the City of Darebin’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee. He has been a continual member of the city of Darebin's Aboriginal advisory committee since its inception in 2002.

He is a life member of the VAHS, an honorary member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and volunteers at the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.

Jacinta Chaplin

Jacinta Chaplin is a Wadi Wadi and Wamba Wamba woman and the community representative for the North West region on the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.

Jacinta is also employed part-time at Swan Hill Rural City Council as the Aboriginal Community Development Officer. Jacinta is passionate about community having voice, keeping culture strong and to lead the ways to continue cultural practices. Jacinta wants to see new leaders supported to care for Country and keep traditions alive into the future.

Tracey Evans

Tracey Evans is a proud Gunditjmara (Eastern Maar Victorian Traditional Owner). She is an Executive Director of the First Peoples Assembly and a community elected Assembly Member of the Melbourne Metropolitan Region. Tracey has worked extensively in both State/ Commonwealth government and in the public/private sector. Her field experience includes working in the areas of health, child protection and the criminal justice system. Qualified in Community Leadership and Community Development she has held a number of directorship roles with Aboriginal organisations such as MAYSAR and Connecting Homes. Tracey is a member of the Hume Reconciliation Working Party, Hume’s Stolen Generation Marker Committee, City of Melbourne Stolen Generation Marker Working Group along with other advisory roles to government and other local councils.

Grant Hansen

Grant Hansen is a proud Kulin Nation man; Taungurung from his mother's people.

For over 30 years Grant has been deeply involved in radio and television as a broadcaster, musician and band manager. Grant has been a leading voice for Aboriginal people in the sports industry and has created many opportunities for Aboriginal people to work in the Australian Football League (AFL) media. He has used his roles to raise the community profile, voice the struggles Aboriginal people face, and create pathways for community members. Today Grant is recognised as a strong leader and activist for Aboriginal people in the media and entertainment sector.