Kaliela Thornton

Kaliela Thornton currently serves as a Cultural Heritage Field Advisor for WaterNSW since February 2024 and has extensive experience in the arts, culture, and community engagement. Kaliela is an artist at Maaya-Li Dhawun, focusing on contemporary Indigenous art and cultural expressions while also managing Indigenous representative football at Gomeroi Maliyan-Go Football since April 2018. Prior roles include Senior Ranger and Arts & Culture Project Officer at the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council and Coordinator for the Kick On 4 Women Program with Northern NSW Football. Kaliela has a background in nursing as an Assistant in Nursing at Hunter New England Local Health District and holds a Diploma in Endorsed Enrolled Nursing from TAFE NSW, alongside other qualifications in community language and fire training.