Jo Anne Rey

Dr. Jo Anne Rey is a Dharug community member, caring for Dharug Ngurra/Country (most of the Sydney basin). Her doctoral academic work is centred in Country and Dharug community, particularly women, their ancestors and their connections to Ngurra/Cuntry. Australian Aboriginal knowledges and practices are the longest continuing cultural system on the planet, more than 65,000 years.

With the constant threat of climate changing catastrophes, Jo’s post-doctoral work has continued restoring Dharug community’s relationality with Ngurra through cultural fire practices as a caring for Country and mega-fire mitigation initiative. In 2024 this was activated through an historic Dharug women’s-led cultural burn at a place called Brown’s Waterhole. Jo’s connection to that waterhole is through a Brown ancestor on her mother’s line. As this was funded by a NSW State Government initiative, this was the first time Dharug women have been invited to engage in their cultural practice in the city.

Yanaldyi budyari gumadawa,

Walking with Good Spirit together.