Board of Directors

Aunty Bess Yarram

Aunty Bess was appointed as an inaugural member of the YWAHS Board of Directors in 2018 and holds the position of Public Officer. She has been instrumental in supporting the establishment of the organisation, through her advocacy, networks and passion to ensure the organisation is set up culturally safe and respectful.

Aunty Bess Yarram has dedicated more than 40 years to working within the Gippsland Aboriginal community in the fields of health, justice, and community development and now in her 80s is still committed to support community to be safe and live free from violence.

Aunty Bessie Yarram is a Noongar Elder who has lived in Victoria for more than 60 years and continues to grow her legacy by contributing to Aboriginal Communities, on a local, state and national level. She was raised on a mission in Western Australia and trained and started her career as a Nurse. She married Noel Yarram who served in the Army for over 28 years raised a family of six children and in the 1970s moved to Sale and quickly became involved in the local Aboriginal community. 

Josef Sestokas

Josef Sestokas was appointed to the inaugural YWAHS board in 2018 and became a director in 2019, he holds the position of Treasurer. Josef’s qualifications include Associate Diploma in General Administration, Fellow – Gippsland Community Leadership Program, Diploma of Project Management BSB51407, MATE Train the Trainer and Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men who use violence – SNAICC Program.

Since retiring from the police force in 2019 Josef was keen to give back to the Gippsland community in a positive way, which led him to apply for a position of the YWAHS board. He has taken an active role as treasurer and continues to make important contributions to the strategic governance of YWAHS.

Joanne Brunt

Joanne Brunt is a proud and strong Gunai woman,

Joanne is a proud Gunai woman and has been employed in local government as the Employment Development Co-ordinator for the past 22 years.

Joanne manages a highly successful and national award winning program that brokers and facilitates pre-employment, mentoring and cross cultural training to Koorie community in the Gippsland region.

The program fosters positive relationships and partnerships throughout the Gippsland region whilst most importantly building capacity of the community.

Joanne has previously been seconded as Acting CEO for Gunai Kurnai Land and Waters Corporation and was a previous board member, and is currently on the Board at TAFE Gippsland.

Joanne brings her extensive community leadership and Indigenous education and employment experience to the Board of Directors.