EAST KIMBERLEY

 

OVERVIEW

The Kimberley region is located in far north Western Australia, comprised of the West Kimberley towards the coast and the East Kimberley towards the Northern Territory border. Jawun began working with the Indigenous communities of the East Kimberley in 2010, and in 2012 broadened its boundaries to include communities in the West Kimberley region. 

The East Kimberley region includes the towns of Kununurra, Halls Creek, Warmun, Wyndham, and over 50 smaller communities – extending all the way from Balgo in the south, Kalumburu in the north, and Malangan near the Northern Territory border. 

Indigenous people in the Kimberley region face the same enormous challenges they face across Australia. In the East Kimberley, the greater community is being supported through programs addressing education, health, welfare, housing, childcare development, and employment.

However, there has been considerable opportunity for improving the lives of Indigenous people as a result of agricultural developments in the Ord area in the last decade, which has brought with it jobs and investments in transitional housing. Additional opportunities exist in new business development, land and sea management (ranger programs) and tourism, hospitality and various other fields.

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY

FIELD TEAM

Ashlee Renshaw

  • General Manager, Regional Investment

    Ashlee joined Jawun in 2023 as General Manager, Partner Engagement, and in 2025 stepped into the role of Acting General Manager, Regional Investment. With a strong background in People and Culture, she brings experience in HR leadership, workforce strategy, and inclusion initiatives. Her career spans both operational and strategic people functions, with a focus on fostering inclusive workplaces, leading philanthropic partnerships, and embedding values-driven practices across diverse sectors.

    Prior to Jawun, Ashlee held senior people leadership roles across blue-collar and corporate environments in the Transport and Urban Services sectors, interfacing with government and private relationships. She has led complex HR programs, managed stakeholder partnerships, and driven initiatives that balance business outcomes with social impact.

    As a Jawun alumna, having participated in 2017 R2 West Kimberley, Ashlee brings deep understanding of Jawun’s purpose and values. 

    Ashlee is honoured to support the Central Coast, Goulburn Murray, East Kimberley, West Kimberley and North East Arnhem Land regions as General Manager Regional Investment. 

    To contact Ashlee, please email arenshaw@jawun.org.au.

CASE STUDIES

Case studies show how Jawun secondees have achieved real results. If you are interested to learn more about Jawun's work in this region, click on the case studies below.

WUNAN FOUNDATION AND KRED

EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES

WUNAN FOUNDATION

WUNAN FOUNDATION

GELGANYEM TRUST

WUNAN FOUNDATION

WARINGARRI ABORIGINAL ARTS

MENKAWUM NGURRA
AGED CARE HOSTEL

WUNAN FOUNDATION