Kathryn Coff

Emerging Leader 2017 - 2018

Kathryn Coff is a proud Yorta Yorta woman living on Jaara Country.  She is a respected member of the First Nations community in Castlemaine and is currently the CEO of Nalderun Aboriginal Services in the Mount Alexander Shire.  She chairs various meetings in community and sits on the Shire’s First Nations round table.

She has worked tirelessly to establish and develop numerous key programs such as The Meeting Place, Koorie Bus Service, Koorie Family Homework Centre, working with schools – preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary, school breakfast program, Murnong Mammas Indigenous Catering Service, Men’s Business Program, publishing resources, Cultural Awareness training, consulting other communities and organisations, supporting organisations who employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as supporting members of her Community.

Kathryn believes that when an Aboriginal community is supported by other Australians who have open hearts and minds, amazing things can happen for the whole community and the way forward is together, walking side by side.

Kathryn’s qualifications include:

  • Diploma in Education – methods Science and Biology
  • Associate Degree in Environmental Science
  • Graduate Diploma Special Education
  • Diploma Vocational Education and Training
  • Certificate IV in Vocational Education and Training
  • Certificate IV in workplace training and Assessment
  • Advanced Certificate in Residential and Community Services
In 2018 Kathryn was appointed as an Indigenous Practitioner in Residence at La Trobe University (Bundoora and Bendigo).  She oversees all Indigenous subjects, is a part-time lecturer, supports other lecturers, participates in subject design and is also working part-time in community.  She is currently completing her PhD.
Kathryn was appointed to the Board of Koondee Woonga-gat Toor-rong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Led Philanthropic Fund.  She believes that when Aboriginal communities are supported by non-First Nations Australians who have open hearts and minds, amazing things can happen for the whole community and the way forward is together, walking side by side.