JO WILLMOT

Jo has worked for the State and Commonwealth Government, as well as Aboriginal and non-Government agencies for many years. She has extensive experience in Indigenous cultural training and developing culturally appropriate training programs tailored to different groups.

A proud Wakka Wakka woman, Jo was born and raised in the Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission. Her mother was sent out to work for white families and pastoral properties, while her father was banned from the Mission when she was born. She moved out of Cherbourg with her mother and step father to Ipswich and then to Acacia Ridge in Brisbane, before relocating to Adelaide in 1972.

Jo proudly organised the first ever contemporary Aboriginal Women’s Arts Festival in 1985. An event supported by Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Festival.