Renee Andrew nee Coulthard is a proud Adnyamathanha/Kuyani woman from the Northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia. Her roots run deep in the Country between Leigh Creek and Myrtle Springs, where her father—a respected Adnyamathanha/Kuyani man—grew up and later became Australia’s first Aboriginal Correctional Officer in the late 1980s. Her mother, an English migrant once known as a “ten pound pom,” arrived in Australia as a teenager and worked as a governess on Myrtle Springs Station, where the two met and began a life together grounded in love, resilience, and family.
Inspired by her father’s dedication to community and justice, Renee has committed her life to creating meaningful change for First Nations peoples. She is a devoted mother to six children and a kinship carer for her cultural grandson. Currently, she works within the South Australian Department for Child Protection as an Aboriginal Facilitator, where she leads the Cultural Footprint Program, delivering cultural awareness training across South Australia.
With over 20 years of experience in Aboriginal-specific roles across non-government organisations, Renee has seen firsthand the ongoing gap in cultural understanding within mainstream services. She is a strong advocate for culturally safe practices, believing that real change is possible when organisations are willing to do the work to understand, respect, and support First Nations voices.
Renee is forever grateful to live, work & raise her family on Kaurna Land, but understands the. Importance of ongoing connections on her ancestral Adnyamathanha/Kuyani Country, Renee is passionate about raising her children strong in culture. She embraces every opportunity to return to Country to pass on knowledge, nurture healing, and strengthen ties to Yarta (land), Yura Muda (story book), and songlines.
