I was born on a United Aboriginal Mission Station called Finnis Springs, on the Old Alice Springs Railway Line, south of Lake Eyre, South Australia.
I am a descendant of six different speaking groups of South Australia and the Northern Territory but closely connected to the Arabana (Lake Eyre region) and the Adnajamathanha (Flinders Ranges) group.
My family shifted to Port Augusta where I finished the Year 10 High School Certificate. I worked on a Mission/Reserve and experienced all the changes of the permit systems, the "dog tag system", the referendum, etc.
I have worked in many government and state departments and Aboriginal community organisations. This employment involved working for, alongside and with the Aboriginal community in health, education, employment and training.
I have completed a Diploma in Frontline Management, Diploma in Theology, and a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessor and Training.