Raylene Harradine, a proud Wotjabulluk, Latje, Latje, Dja Dja Wurrung woman, has been CEO of Bendigo & District Aboriginal Cooperative for nine years.  Raylene commenced in the role of Deputy Secretary, Aboriginal Self-Determination and Outcomes, Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing in October 2022, and was a member of the First People’s Assembly of Victoria until stepping down in January 2023.

Raylene was instrumental in leading the establishment of the first rural Victorian authorization of children in out of home care under Section 18 of the Child, Youth and Families Act (2005).  Raylene has worked in management positions with Aboriginal communities for over 20 years as well as in the Department of Justice and Regulation and Health and Education sectors.  Awarded a Public Service Medal in 2006 for her outstanding work with Aboriginal Communities, Raylene is also an author of “Aboriginal Art and Culture”, 2009, and published an abstract on “Reconciling Indigenous Pedagogy and SOSE in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health in January 2000.

Raylene is passionate about culturally inclusive practices, equity for all and achieving the best possible outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people.