People

Kelli Owen 

Kelli is a Kaurna, Narungga & Ngarrindjeri woman, mother of five and Mutha (nanna) of two boys. She has lived experience with kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis, haemodialysis, kidney transplantation and being a carer of her son on his kidney disease journey. Kelli has used her personal and family experiences and knowledge of kidney disease to advocate for and support others on their journeys. 

Rhanee Lester 

Rhanee is an Adnyamathanha woman with family and community ties to Port Augusta and the Northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia. She has lived experience with kidney disease, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation. She was invited to speak at a KHA meeting at the Royal Adelaide Hospital where she first connected with the AKction project and the work they were doing, and expressed interest in joining as an ARG member. 

Jared Kartinyeri 

Jared is a Ngarrindjeri Wiradjuri man from Adelaide with lived experience with kidney disease, haemodialysis and kidney transplantation. Jared was invited to join AKction through Rhanee and says that the best thing about being a member is connecting with others who have been through the same thing, being part of a group that helps the community, and the Almond milk mint mocha's from the BeanBar!

Jared is passionate about creating safe spaces to talk about kidney health and disease, especially for fellas; and health promotion and education that will help to keep the young ones off the machines. Since joining the reference team in 2018,he has enjoyed getting involved in various kidney and oral health research activities, teaching dental and nursing students about clinical yarning and sharing information about the AKction project and team at community engagement events such as Closing the Gap Day and the NAIDOC march. He has also presented his kidney journey story at a range of conferences including the SA Population Health Conference, the Lowitja Institute Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Congress, and co-presented a poster with Nari Sinclair at the Renal Society of Australasia conference in Darwin.   

Shellander Champion

Shellander is an Adnyamathanha, Kuyani, Mirning and Kaprun woman, currently living in Port Augusta, South Australia on Barngarla country. She is the provider for her family and a mother to a young boy living with Autism. With lived experience of kidney disease, Shellander is also an advocate for improving knowledge and education around the NDIS, and breaking down complex government policies into practical ways of working that align with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of doing, being and knowing. Her goal is to embed long-term change in the government systems so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and services are driven and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because only we know how to best deliver these to our Mob.

Lili Simpson Lyttle

Lili’s mob is from the Northern Torres Straits Saibai Island (Boigu Island), connecting through to the coastal mainland of the western province of Papua New Guinea (the Beeneh people).  

Ramon Gadd

Ramon Gadd is a kidney health advocate with lived experience of kidney disease, dialysis and kidney transplantation. 

Marissa Wilson

Marissa is a Warlpiri Anmatjere woman, with lived experience of kidney disease and haemodialysis. She was born in Alice Springs and grew up in Yulamu speaking Walpiri, Anmatyerre and English. She has worked as an interpreter helping others at the Alice Springs Hospital, and as a peer navigator with other kidney patients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Marissa joined the AKction Reference Team in 2023 after connecting with the team at the Close the Gap Day event at the Adelaide showground. She enjoys being a part of the reference team as it helps to learn more about what is happening in dialysis around the state and meet with other people receiving kidney care.

Christine Franks

Derek Forbes

Derek is a Kaurna man with lived experience of kidney disease, haemodialysis and transplantation. He spent 10 years living in Point Pearce and has been in Adelaide ever since. He has 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Derek joined the AKction Reference Team in 2024, after his kidney doctor connected him in with the group. He enjoys sharing his journey as "It might help other people, so that they can look after themselves better" and has also been involved in teaching nursing students about clinical yarning and cultural safety.

Trudy Reid

Trudy is a Kokatha woman, she was born in Port Lincoln and has lived in Port Augusta, Kimba, Whyalla, Murray Bridge and Adelaide. She is a mother to 3 boys and 1 girl and has 18 grandchildren. Trudy has lived with kidney disease for 15 years and has been on haemodialysis throughout this time. She joined the AKction Reference Team in 2023 after talking with Nari Sinclair during dialysis at Kanggawodli. Trudy enjoys working with the AKction team so that she can meet other Kidney warriors and help to raise awareness about kidney disease and keeping healthy.

Kidney Warriors

AKction Reference Team members who have returned to the Dreamtime

Inawinytji Williamson (Elder) 

Ina grew up in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara or APY lands Fregon, moving to Kaurna Yarta Adelaide to begin dialysis. She is a well-known artist, language teacher and Elder. She often interprets and advocates for other community members in kidney care settings. Ina co-founded the AKction 1 Reference Group with Nari Sinclair, after connection over their shared advocacy work.   

Nari Sinclair 

Nari Sinclair is a Ngarrindjeri and Yorta Yorta woman, mother, and grandmother. She has lived experience with kidney disease, haemodialysis, and living with complex comorbidities.  After chasing down politicians outside Parliament House advocating for better transport options, Nari connected with Inawinytji Williamson, becoming the founding members of the AKction1 Reference Group. 

• Matthew Hobbs
• Alice Abdullah
• Richard Brooks