Daughters of Country

Aunty Jeanie Moran is a proud Barada Bana, Yuin, and Cammeraygal saltwater woman from the east coast. She has deep rooted foundations in her culture, heritage, and a strong resilience as a product of the Stolen Generation. Her deep culture and identity is anchored in her Songlines, which encompass six language groups in New South Wales and four in Central Queensland. As a strong, proud, grassroots Elder, Aunty Jeanie is delighted to provide and share culture and stories, connecting journeys through ancient healing practice.

Her deep connection to her ancestry and unwavering dedication to cultural preservation makes Aunty Jeanie Moran a respected and cherished figure within the community, encouraging others to honour and engage with Indigenous heritage, while inspiring the next generation. As a Cammeraygal Elder, she plays a pivotal role walking on a journey with North Sydney Council. This work has included a pivotal role in the 2024 Keep The Fire Burning exhibition at the Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability and as a cultural mentor for the 2026 First Nations Residency as part of Council’s Creative Spaces Program. Additionally, Aunty Jeanie collaborated with the Re-Right Collective and her grandchildren to create a ceramic installation of a Nawi (canoe) for the “X-Change” exhibition at The Concourse in Chatswood.

Maree Walford is a proud fresh water, Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay woman from Lightning Ridge, NSW. Her art background is in cultural textiles and practices. She is passionate about teaching her culture through art in textiles and other creative experiences influenced by nature and country. She has recently started a business named Dhawundi, which means “from the land/country” in Gamilaraay which focuses on unique nature inspired home decor and cultural workshops such as natural dyed ceramics, fibers and nature prints. Maree is also an educator who has worked in many roles and facets of education for over 13 years. This includes early childhood, primary schools, high schools, after-school, and school holiday programs, as well as other community programs in Sydney and the Central Coast including Gosford Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Brittanie Shipway is a Gumbaynggirr and Turkish storyteller working across writing, acting, directing, singing and dramaturgy. She made her Ensemble Theatre debut as writer and performer of A LETTER FOR MOLLY, nominated for Broadway World’s Best Play and a Rodney Seaborn Award semi-finalist. Brittanie founded First Stories, a playwriting program for emerging First Nations writers, and has worked as a dramaturg on new Australian musicals including ZOMBIE! (Hayes) and THE DEB (ATYP). Directing credits include WALTZING THE WILARRA, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Hayes) and THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (Neglected Musicals). As a performer, credits include THE DISMISSAL, KINKY BOOTS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, FUNNY GIRL, BIG FISH, THE SAPPHIRES and CHESS.

Michael began working as a professional musician for J.C. Williamsons in Melbourne. He moved to Sydney to conduct the STC’s production of CHICAGO then was MD for their productions of THE STRIPPER, FOUR LADY BOWLERS, JONAH, COMPANY, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, FALSETTOS, MIRACLE CITY and SUMMER RAIN as well as providing music for several of their plays. He has been involved with many major musicals including CATS, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, LES MISÉRABLES, MISS SAIGON, SINGING IN THE RAIN, THE LION KING, WICKED and others. He has been Musical Director of many shows including, SIDE BY SIDE By Sondheim, CHESS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, JERRY’S GIRLS, JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, THE BOY FROM OZ, TIVOLI, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (for which he was awarded a Green Room Award), and the Hugh Jackman tour of THE BOY FROM OZ. He was also musical director for The Production Company’s DUSTY, BRIGADOON and THE BOY FROM OZ. He was awarded a Green Room Award and a Helpmann Award for the musical direction of the Disney/Cameron Mackintosh production of MARY POPPINS. Michael has been musical director for many shows at the Hayes Theatre including the new Australian musicals THE DETECTIVE’S HANDBOOK and MELBA. Recently he was musical director for the national tour of COME FROM AWAY. Michael’s cabaret and concert credits are extensive, having worked with Australian and overseas artists including Megan Hilty, Jennifer Holiday, Sutton Foster, Betty Buckley, Aaron Tveit, Conchita Wurst, Trevor Ashley, Toni Lamond, Nancye Hayes, Philip Quast, David Campbell, Caroline O’Connor, Tim Draxl and Judi Connelli both here and abroad. After a career spanning fifty years, he is still busy playing in orchestra pits, rehearsing shows and doing concert and cabaret work. In 2020 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the Performing Arts.