Daphne Yarram

Daphne Yarram is a Noongar woman from South West Western Australia, the CEO of Yoowinna Wurnalung Healing Service, a specialist family violence service based in Gippsland, and a Board Director of Respect Victoria.

Daphne has been involved in Aboriginal Affairs since she was sixteen years of age and throughout her working life she has been a strong advocate for Victorian Aboriginal people and communities.

She was the Chairperson for the ATSIC Binjirru Regional Council. In this role, she learnt that there is still a long way to go until unity is established within Australia for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.

Other organisations Daphne has undertaken leadership and governance roles supported, helped establish and worked with are Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Victorian Aboriginal & Islander Education Incorporation, is a Respected Person on the Koorie Magistrates Court and Gippsland Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, and the Indigenous Family Violence Partnership Forum.

Daphne was a foundation member and elected to the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Board for three terms, which has been developed over a number of years to be the representative body to support the voice and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.

She is passionate about developing programs to support Aboriginal children, young people and women build their self-esteem and confidence, and assist them in reclaiming, embracing, understanding and being proud of their cultural identity. Through her work and practice, she implements these principles on a daily basis.