Respected Elder Joins Brave to Support Young First Nations Parents

Brave Foundation is excited to welcome Aunty Di Baldock as the organisation’s first Aunty in Residence. This new role is a significant step in Brave’s commitment to supporting cultural safety and walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young parents and communities.

Embedded within the organisation, Aunty Di will provide cultural guidance, sharing her wisdom and knowledge to help Brave build trust and make decisions that respect First Nations perspectives.

Brave CEO Jill Roche said Brave has a growing cohort of young First Nations parents as participants in the Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens program.

“As more young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents participate in our programs, we have sought opportunities to embed cultural perspectives and practices in everything we do, recognising the importance of structured connection to culture,” Ms Roche said.

“This milestone is one of the important steps we are taking to support our commitment to deep listening and learning, and walking alongside young First Nations families.”

“As the Aunty in Residence, I am very excited to take on this opportunity to embed culture and drive innovation that will contribute directly to Brave’s performance and adaptability through the voices of young parents and their families,” Aunty Di said.

The first stage of this project, supported by Minderoo Foundation, will focus on recruiting and supporting a First Nations Lived Experience Coordinator. This coordinator will lead Brave’s First Nations Young Parent Advisory Group, with Aunty Di providing cultural mentorship and support.

Aunty Di will also work alongside Brave staff to advise on program design, staff cultural learning, community engagement and ethical storytelling. Her role is not to speak for all Nations, but to ground Brave’s work in shared principles of cultural integrity and respect, which can be adapted to local communities.

Brave is committed to listening deeply, acting with integrity, and walking alongside First Nations communities as we continue to support young parents across Australia.

10 December 2025