Our people

Director

Mr Fred Yasso

A proud Juru man from North Queensland, has been an integral part of CAS since 2019, working both as part of a team and in leadership roles providing innovation and excellence in teaching. Mr Yasso holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Indigenous Community Health and has said he is looking forward to building on the important history of the Centre and its role in Indigenous higher education in Australia.

Deputy Director

Ms Sharna Walley

Sharna Walley is a proud Noongar woman, born and raised on Whadjuk Boodja. With over 11 years of experience in community management, Sharna has led impactful youth programs and education centres, while driving the development of cultural and educational initiatives within the higher education sector.

Sharna is deeply committed to fostering community connections and integrating First Nations culture into mainstream education. Her work champions truth-telling and highlights the resilience and achievements of Aboriginal Australia. With a specialised focus on anti-racism education, Sharna has designed and implemented training programs to promote best practices and build effective allyship, furthering her dedication to creating inclusive and transformative learning environments.

Dean of Teaching and Learning

Dr Robyn Heckenberg

A proud Wiradjuri woman.

Professor Robyn Heckenberg has worked in the Higher Education sector for a goodly amount of time, as well as the TAFE system, and within many community projects and endeavours regarding social justice, environment and Country and accompanying Human Rights. As a Wiradjuri academic she has been privileged to be given the opportunity to work in Noongar Country, and W.A. more broadly. She has worked in universities in a number of states in Australia, as well as being an Alumni of Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (formerly Batchelor College); University of Newcastle; La Trobe University and Monash University.

Upper most in her expectations of becoming a better self is supporting ways for Indigenous Australians to secure contentment and to flourish by decolonizing non-Indigenous viewpoints and include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories within the national narrative in a fair and equitable way. Robyn is the Dean of Learning and Teaching within the Centre for Aboriginal Studies. Prof. Heckenberg is a Cathedral Scholar of St Georges Cathedral Perth.

Public education employment history: Curtin University, University of Southern Queensland, Federation University, Monash University, La Trobe University, Charles Sturt University, Wodonga TAFE, University of Newcastle, Newcastle TAFE; Cessnock TAFE; Wyong TAFE, TAFE NSW. Ultimo.

Qualifications: Dip.AbSt; BA (VA); G.D.(Art); G.D.Ed Admin; G.D.Bus.Admin; MTeach; MFA; BThl; PhD (Monash)

Centre Business Manager

Ms Melony Darroch

I am a proud Whadjuk/Balardong Nyungar woman with strong family ties to  Balardong, Wilmen, Yamatji, and Wongi. My cultural identity is deeply rooted in the stories and resilience of my ancestors, whose experiences navigating the impacts of the 1905 Aborigines Act and the Stolen Generation continue to shape my perspective and advocacy.

I spent my childhood between York, Perth, and Albany, raised by both my parents and grandparents. Their knowledge, strength, and tenacity instilled in me a deep appreciation for our history and the importance of cultural continuity. Their lived experiences and determination to provide for future generations inspire the work I do today.

I hold an undergraduate degree in Indigenous Community Management, Development, and Planning and have over 35 years of experience in finance, policy, and compliance across the private and public sectors, including international roles. I am currently the Business Manager at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University, committed to supporting and empowering Indigenous students in higher education.