Phyllis is a Larrakia woman from her mother and is part of the Batcho family, and Gummulkbun from her father from west Arnhem Land with family ties also to the Cobourg Peninsular.

Phyllis has worked in archives organisations for over 25 years, has been in a number of roles including management of state offices in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland. Her work has covered negotiations and consultations with Aboriginal people on issues associated with responses for archives to a Royal Commission and National Inquiry and a range of other projects focusing on services, programs and policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Phyllis is a member of the International Council on Archives’ Expert Group on Indigenous Matters and the Council of Australasian Archives and Records Authorities First Nations Special Interest Group.

“Larrakia people and country are still here, and the Larrakia Culture Centre will hold, share and celebrate past, present and emerging Larrakia history… about us – our old and young people, our land, our culture, our language, of our achievements, of our struggles and survival for current and future generations. I am proud to be a part of the Working Group to realise the Larrakia Culture Centre.”