Our Board

CHAIRPERSON - Lee Joachim

Lee Joachim is a Yorta Yorta man based in Shepparton, Victoria. Lee works in the area of self-determination through active research by the people, for the people. He has worked with lead research organisations nationally and internationally.  He has extensive governance experience, and has held the positions of Chairperson and CEO for his people's body corporate and community Cooperative. Lee has represented the concerns of Indigenous Nations in relation to water, climate change and cultural heritage through federal appointment to various bodies at a Federal level. Lee is the father of nine children, including previous Living Languages trainer Ebony Joachim.

Damien Coke is an experienced COO with previous employment in the NFP sector and Commonwealth Government. He is a Yuin and Yorta man currently living on Ngunnawal country.

Jakelin Troy

Jaky is Ngarigu from the Snowy Mountains in south eastern Australia. She is the Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research at Sydney University and is focussed on documenting, describing and reviving Indigenous languages. She also has two Australian Research Council Discovery Projects one with Prof John Maynard on the history of Aboriginal missions and reserves in eastern Australia and the history of Aboriginal people who were not institutionalised. The second is about the practise of 'corroboree' by Aboriginal people in the 'assimilation period' of the mid C20 in Australia. Jaky is also interested in the use of Indigenous research methodologies and community engaged research practises.

Louise Manas

Louise is Torres Strait Islander woman who lives in Kubin on Mua Island. She is a fluent speaker of speak Kala Lagaw Ya and works as a cultural mentor and facilitator. Louise joined Living Languages Board because she passionate about First Nations languages and wants to see them revived and restored. She believes there is a place for everyone to own, bring back or teach and maintain their Languages, “for our clan groups across the length and breadth of Australia, so there is a place of belonging and being connected to your Language.”  She is also a Director on the Torres Strait Islander Languages Board representing the Language group of Kaurareg, the people of the Thursday and Horn Island group.

Robert Torresan

Robert Torresan is a proud Ngiyampaa man now based on the south coast of NSW. He is Visitor Experience and Compliance Manager at the beautiful Booderee National Park. He brings years of management experience and skills in financial matters to his position of treasurer with the Living Languages Board. One day he dreams of sailing into the sunset, but not just yet we hope!