get to know the team behind the dream
Ricky Kildea, Wanyaari Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
What's your superhero alter ego and what superpower would you have?
Superman Ricky Bobby, with all of Superman's powers plus Teleportation.
If you could choose any fictional character to be your best friend, who would it be and why?
Batman so I could drive the Batmobile.
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Skydive!
What's your favourite hobby outside of work?
Painting, fishing or hiking.
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
90's. Tough footy, awesome music, iconic fashion and a simpler world.
What's your go-to karaoke song?
That's a hard one, either Horses by Daryl Braithwaite or Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.
What's the weirdest talent you have?
I can memorise random number sequences.
If you could have any animal as a pet, mythical or real, what would it be? Eagle or a Crocodile.
What's your ultimate comfort food?
Pizza, popcorn and caramel slice.
What's the most memorable place you've ever visited?
Lake Mungo
Kaley Nicholson, Director of Business Development & Performance
What's your superhero alter ego and/or what superpower would you have?
I would have the power to teleport - I am not the most patient person.
If you could choose any fictional character to be your best friend, who would it be and why?
Baarka - I know she's not fictional but I LOVE her - she is so deadly.
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Swimming with manta rays in Indonesia.
What's your favourite hobby outside of work?
Making cultural items. Some of my favourite things I've made are my ganan (digging stick), flower feathers, woven baskets and my possum skin cloak.
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
I would go back about 1000 years to the time before invasion so that I could see how my ancestors lived and what Country looked like.
What's your go-to karaoke song?
'Turn back time' by Cher (I can't sing…but that has never stopped me).
What's the weirdest talent you have?
Recalling random facts - I do this so often that I like to prank people every now and again with some fake facts.
If you could have any animal as a pet, mythical or real, what would it be?
I would have a mega-fauna wombat so I could ride it around the countryside.
What's your ultimate comfort food?
Just about anything with cheese.
What's the most memorable place you've ever visited?
In 2023 I got to go to the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues in New York. It was amazing to be able to spend time with Indigenous Peoples from around the world.
Amelia (Milly) Livesey, Business Development & Performance Executive
What's your superhero alter ego and/or what superpower would you have?
I would have to choose to be able to talk to animals!
If you could choose any fictional character to be your best friend, who would it be and why?
My pick for a fictional bestie, has to be Ted Lasso. He's all about positivity, empathy and growth. He's the kind of pal who'd always have your back and push you to be your best, all while making you laugh.
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Lived in a van and travelled Australia for a year.
What's your favourite hobby outside of work?
I love being creative. My favourite ways to be creative are painting, weaving, drawing, writing and jewellery making.
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
I would love to go back in time to "Australia" before European arrival. So, I could see our beautiful people, culture and country thriving before the damages of colonisation.
What's your go-to karaoke song?
"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" - by The Darkness
What's the weirdest talent you have?
I have ended up backstage or met almost every artist at every live gig I have been to.
If you could have any animal as a pet, mythical or real, what would it be?
I would love to snuggle on the couch with a Wombat
What's your ultimate comfort food?
Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Sweet & Salty Pretzel Swirls & Fudge Brownie. Or mums Curried Sausages.
What's the most memorable place you've ever visited?
I cant decide between Karijini or Lake Mungo .
Jo-anne Anderson, Executive office manager
What's your superhero alter ego and what superpower would you have?
I would love to be able to fly. Flying to me symbolises freedom, perspective, empowerment and adventure.
If you could choose any fictional character to be your best friend, who would it be and why?
I'd choose Cinderella for her resilience, kindness in the face of adversity and ability to remain hopeful and positive when life becomes challenging.
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Road tripping across Australia, from Melbourne to Kalgoorlie along the Nullarbor Plain. It's amazing to watch the scenery change from green trees to red dirt.
What's your favourite hobby outside of work?
I don't have a particular hobby - but I enjoy spending time with my two girls and partner, travelling, exploring beaches, watching sunsets and indulging in wining and dining experiences.
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
I have always been fascinated by the 'Paleolithic Era'. It would be incredible to get a glimpse of the start of humanity, to see how humans lived and seeing other species of humans, how we evolved and seeing how our ancestors' journeys shaped history.
What's your go-to karaoke song?
Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus.
What's the weirdest talent you have?
I can still do a cartwheel with no hands!
If you could have any animal as a pet, mythical or real, what would it be?
As a kid, I always wanted to be a mermaid - so my pet would be a mermaid.
What's your ultimate comfort food?
Pasta, chocolate and wine.
What's the most memorable place you've ever visited? Nothing beats WA's beautiful big skies, sunsets and red dirt. Second favourite would be the Whitsunday Islands - Hayman Island.
ANDREW VELLa, Aboriginal Engagement Worker
What's your superhero alter ego and what superpower would you have?
The Black Power Ranger, I'd like to be able to silence others so I don't have to hear their gammin yarns.
If you could choose any fictional character to be your best friend, who would it be and why?
Ted, he knows how to have a good time.
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Travelled overseas to Italy & Malta.
What's your favourite hobby outside of work?
Footy and Stoofa's Fitness
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
Probably the early to late 2000's Just to watch Geelong FC absolutely dominate the league again.
What's your go-to karaoke song?
’HERO’ by Enrique Iglesias
What's the weirdest talent you have?
NO IDEA
If you could have any animal as a pet, mythical or real, what would it be?Wedge tailed eagle
What's your ultimate comfort food?
Did someone say KFC?!!!!
What's the most memorable place you've ever visited?
Millford Sound (New Zealand)
Brady Jones, Wadamba Employment Broker
What's your superhero alter ego and what superpower would you have?
Known simply as "The Beard" with the power to grow hair anywhere except for my head.
If you could choose any fictional character to be your best friend, who would it be and why?
Chewbacca. He's loyal, a good judge of character and the best co-pilot you could have. He's also 7 foot and looks kind of like a dog.
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Probably the week I spent alone in Prague in my early 20s. Almost got mugged a few times, had way too many absinthe shots and late night kebabs. Also visited one of the weirdest churches ever, The Sedlec Ossuary.
What's your favourite hobby outside of work?
Love music… playing it, watching it or listening to it.
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
Easily the late 60s and probably hang around for the next ten years trying to watch as many gigs as I can.
What's your go-to karaoke song?
Got My Mojo Working - Muddy Waters
What's the weirdest talent you have?
I have a really good internal GPS, but that just might be my heritage.
If you could have any animal as a pet, mythical or real, what would it be?
Wombat.
What's your ultimate comfort food?
Milkshakes.
What's the most memorable place you've ever visited?
Athens or Santorini
Tina Sahin, Aboriginal Engagement Worker
What's your superhero alter ego and what superpower would you have?
Superhero more like supervillain, Deadpool is my alter ego, I'd like to have his superhuman reflexes & regeneration.
If you could choose any fictional character to be your best friend, who would it be and why?
I'd choose Newt Scamander from Fantastic Beasts (wizarding world) because he's cool asf & magical. I love weird & kooky people.
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Most adventurous thing I’ve done would be horse riding down a mountain trail.
What's your favourite hobby outside of work?
Music, I live for new beats and writing sessions.
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
If I could time travel I'd go back to 2015. It's not that long ago but at that moment life was perfect, i'd spend more time with my dad.
What's your go-to karaoke song?
Bust a move by Young MC as kids we would verse each other to see who would do the dishes.
What's the weirdest talent you have?
I can out bluff anyone in poker.
If you could have any animal as a pet, mythical or real, what would it be?
I would own a miniature Goat they're so damn cute.
What's your ultimate comfort food?
Philly cheese steak toasties with a side of chilli green olives.
What's the most memorable place you've ever visited?
Swifts creek it's such a eerie place.
Naichese Lovett, Aboriginal Engagement Worker
What's your superhero alter ego and what superpower would you have?
It is Anchorman, not anchorlady. And that's a scientific fact. To be Invincible.
If you could choose any fictional character to be your best friend, who would it be and why?
Ron Burgundy. Because of his memorable quotes and he's kind of a big deal.
What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Going to the Alpine School in Mt Hotham for a term.
What's your favourite hobby outside of work?
Spending time with my daughters.
If you could time travel, which era would you visit and why?
2000's. So I can be a kid again.
What's your go-to karaoke song?
I've never done karaoke but if I did it would be. 'Man, I feel like a woman' By Shania Twain.
What's the weirdest talent you have?
I can cook 2 minute noodles in 1 minute.
If you could have any animal as a pet, mythical or real, what would it be?
Blue Nose Pitbull.
What's your ultimate comfort food?
Pizza.
What's the most memorable place you've ever visited?
Uluru