At the heart of our Yawardani Jan-ga team area passionate and skilled Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people, including those with specialisation in equine assisted learning and superior research and horsemanship skills, community engagement and administration expertise. Our team embraces the healing power of horses and acknowledges the pathways of Aboriginal ways of working and people along the story being created. The commitment to supporting Aboriginal children, young people and communities in unwavering to foster positive change through the power of horse and human relationships.
The Founder of Yawardani Jan-ga, since 2018, Juli is trained in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy through the Equine Psychotherapy Institute of Australia and holds a Degree in Education, a Masters in Public Health and Tropical Medicine and a PhD contextualising Aboriginal young people’s experiences with Bullying and relationship issues in Western Australia.
A dedicated horseperson since she could walk, Juli has a vision of being able to provide the connectivity of horses to young people all over Australia when and where needed. After spending most of her life in the Pilbara Coffin now resides in Broome where she has been for the last 8 years and heads up this amazing program where over 1000 Aboriginal young people have been engaged and 30 Local Aboriginal people between Broome and Halls creek have been trained in this EAL work of Yawardani Jan-ga.
Juli has shown, bred and started many horses over the years and has run one of the largest pony clubs in WA as well and provided riding tuition for dressage, showing/hacking and EAL work readiness for horses, including handling and temperament assessment.
Cassandra (Sandi) is the Yawardani Jan-ga Program Coordinator at Yawarda Services. Cassandra is a Nimanburru/Walman Yawuru woman who grew up in Broome. She always had a passion for holistic health. Cassandra had worked in the Aboriginal Medical Services’ (AMS) in the Kimberley region for more than 25 years in numerous positions. Cassandra is ready for new beginnings and is privileged to start her new journey with the amazing team at Yawarda Services and their rewarding program.
Georgia Carter is a young Aboriginal woman who has lived and worked in the Kimberley region most of her life. On her father’s side she Gooniyandi and kija – having connections across the central and east Kimberley. Georgia’s mother is also butchella and Yugera having connections to South-East Queensland.
She is a very passionate and driven young person with experience of coordinating youth leadership programs across the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields as well as working closely with Government as the Local State member’s Research Officer. Georgia is now one of our qualified Equine Assisted Learning Practitioners.
Peter is an Equine Assisted Learning Practitioner at Yawardani Jan-ga based in Broome, he is a young Aboriginal man from the Broome area and he is also Yawuru, Karajarri , Nyikina, Yindjibarndi and Jaru, Peter is passionate in supporting young children and seeing the positive outcomes of the Yawardani Jan-ga program in the Community.
Kristine had worked in the AMS in the East and West Kimberley for more than 12 years in numerous positions.
She has always been passionate about working with children and is dedicated to supporting their health, wellbeing, and development.
Kristine looks forward to continuing to be part of this amazing program and making a positive difference in the community.
Mirrin Edgar is a proud Yawuru and Karajarri man from Broome with a passion for supporting people, culture and community. Throughout his career, he has worked across the community services sector in roles focused on reintegration support, case management, cultural engagement and advocacy, working alongside Aboriginal individuals, families and communities throughout the Kimberley.
Known for his calm, approachable nature and genuine ability to connect with others, Mirrin values building respectful relationships and creating safe, supportive environments. He believes in the importance of connection—to people, culture, Country and self—and is committed to empowering individuals to build confidence, resilience and achieve meaningful personal growth.
Maya is a part of the Bigstone Cree Nation and is from Vancouver Island, Canada. She has been working with horses for the past 15 years and is currently in Broome completing training to become an Equine Assisted Learning Practitioner at Yawardani Jan-ga. When Maya returns home at the end of the year and completes her Bachelor of Social Work, she hopes to do something similar in her own community combining her experience with horses and her social work education to support others.
As a Broome local who spent most of her teenage years growing up in the Kimberley, Madhavi Hunt brings a unique blend of creativity, compassion, and life experience to the Yawarda team. With a background in therapeutic residential care, circus arts, and a lifelong love for horses and working with children, she is passionate about helping young people build confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections.
When she’s not supporting children and families in the Kimberley, Madhavi travels between Australia and the United States to pursue her acting career. She is proud to call Broome home and is passionate about giving back to the community that helped shape her
Born and raised on Ngarluma Country in Ieramugadu (Roebourne), Dion Storey is a lifelong advocate for self-determination and social justice. He brings extensive experience in professional standards, governance, legal and compliance, policy advice and development, and trauma-informed service delivery to support holistic wellbeing.
He has served in senior public service roles across both state and federal governments and is currently the General Manager of Corporate and Executive Services at Yorgum Healing Services. His leadership is grounded in cultural integrity, community strength, and a commitment to creating systems that work for all people. Dion is passionate about empowering organisations to drive values-based practice and deliver meaningful, strengths-based outcomes.