Board Member
Theresa Ardler is a proud First Nations descendant of her seaborn and mountain bloodlines; Gweagal, Gadigal, Bidjigal, Wangal, Cammeraygal, Kuringal, Wallumedegal and Gandangarra Clans of the Eora Nation (Sydney), well as Wodi Wodi of the Dharawal Nation. She was born on her mother’s Country and raised on her father’s Country with the Wandandian Clan of the Yuin Nation, Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay, Australia in the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Fishing Community.
Theresa’s working life has been in education in many roles including teacher, consultant, advisor, research officer and lecturer. She was the inaugural Research Indigenous Liaison Officer at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at Australian Catholic University. Theresa is a Sessional Academic at The University of Notre Dame Australia, where she was recently appointed inaugural Head Lecturer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples course.
Theresa is the Owner of Gweagal Cultural Connections which provides Aboriginal cultural learning and engagement services for schools and educators across Australia.
Theresa has been invited to attend and speak at several international conferences.
Theresa’s vision is to work towards educating universities, school communities, teachers, students, and religious organisations about the richness of Aboriginal Culture and Spirituality. Theresa seeks opportunities to work creatively and innovatively in cultural, school, university, and religious environments to produce genuine and meaningful cultural dialogue as a First Nations Elder.
