As members of various Aboriginal and other communities, we respectfully gather here on Noongar Boodja.
We pay our respects to Elders and acknowledge ancient connections from past to the present for our safe conduct.
BOARD & EXECUTIVES
ADAM DESMOND
Founder & Executive Director
Adam founded Binar in 2011 and has acted as Executive Director ever since. He has overseen key operations and initiatives and has been a major driver of the organisation’s success to date. As owner and operator of a drycleaning business Adam has been active for many years in the Midland business community
ANDREW VLAHOV
Chair
Andrew’s professional basketball career with the Perth Wildcats encompassed 11 years and three championships. He is a four-time Olympian and a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal. At Binar, he has a discovered a space where he can engage with his dual passions for basketball and social justice
ERNIE DINGO
Board Member & Ambassador
Ernie is an Indigenous Australian actor, television presenter, comedian, teacher and promoter originating from the Yamatji people of the Murchison region of Western Australia. He is a designated Australian National Living Treasure. He collaborated with Richard Walley to create the first public performance of the "Welcome to Country" ceremony in Perth in 1976. He has been an ambassador for Binar for a number of years.
LENNY
PAPERTALK
Board Member & Treasurer
Lennelle is a Noongar Yamatji woman who is a Research Assistant at WA Centre for Rural Health with a Masters in Social Work. She has been collaborating with Binar in the Midwest region for several years. Lenny was the Chairperson of Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation for 15 years and heavily involved in grass roots regional sporting communities through umpiring, coaching, volunteering, committee roles and playing. She is passionate about developing culturally safe social and emotional wellbeing programs.
JULIE JONES
Board Member
Julie is a Watjarri (Yamatji) woman from the Murchison Region. She has been an active member of the Binar community, having assisted in a volunteer capacity for a number of years prior to joining the board. She is a qualified Cultural Safety Trainer and Medical Clinical Trainer, having worked with the Aboriginal Health Council of WA for 8 years and was with the Aboriginal Affairs Department (State Government) for 15 years as a Policy and Land Officer. Julie was also a Ministry of Justice, State Coordinator for several years, dealing with Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
MARGARET COYNE
Board Member
Margie is from Menang country with connection to Yamatji through her grandmother. She is a qualified level 1 referee, level 1 coach and Referee Coach and passionate about developing a referee academy through Binar. She strongly believes in giving back to the sport and community and giving everyone a place to belong where they can be included and have a chance to meet people, make friends, learn, grow and connect with others.
MICHELLE KEEN
Office Administrator
Michelle is a Noongar woman who grew up in the Midland area and has considerable experience in various administrative roles requiring both organisational skills and the ability to build rapport through trust, sensitivity and compassion. She spent 9 years working for the Coronial Investigation Squad with the WA Police assisting families and investigations into reportable deaths. Prior to this, she was an Aboriginal Education Office with Middle Swan Primary School and a bookkeeper. She is also a talented amateur photographer, having been selected as a finalist for the AFL’s Footy Focus Photo Competition with her own venture Keen 2 Kapture.
BOSTON FITCH
Competition Manager
An experienced administrator with a heart for people, Boston has been involved in the basketball industry for over nine years. Having worked in diverse basketball roles, including as a basketball referee and educator, a duty manager, a WABL coach, and a Competitions Administrator, Boston has developed a unique blend of warm interpersonal skills and highly efficient organisational and administrative capabilities. His multifaceted background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of basketball operations. Currently, Boston is pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work. He firmly believes in the profound impact that sports and meaningful connections can have on empowering young individuals to unlock their true potential.
EFREM GARLETT-WATSON
Engagement Officer, Mentor
Efrem Garlett-Watson is a Ballardong Noongar man who was one of the original Binar boys team in 2011. He started helping with and then managing a school-based competition run by Binar in 2014 at Midland PCYC. He has held various paid and voluntary roles including having completed a traineeship (Cert III in Sport & Recreation) at Swan Active Midland and then being employed as a lifeguard at Swan Active, coach and mentor at Koya Aboriginal Corporation, liaison officer with Rooforce, COVID screening officer with Derbal Yerrigan Health Services. He is a level 1 referee with first aid qualifications and is a valuable asset to Binar with his leadership skills and work ethic in numerous roles including referee, coach, mentor, team manager, administrator, competition manager, games controller, camp coordinator and bus driver.
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LEIGHA MARTINO
Admin Assistant, Mentor
Leigha is a Noongar woman with connection to Wilman & Ballardong country. Leigha started her journey with Binar in 2019, joining the U18’s girls team that travelled to Singapore. She graduated from SEDA College with a Certificate II & III in Sports & Recreation and became one of Binar’s first employees in 2021, in various capacities including coach, mentor, team manager, administrator and bookkeeper. She is currently also working as a support worker through iPlace, and is passionate about working with youth.
ISAIAH WALLEY STACK
Cultural Advisor
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