THE VAN TEAM
We are a very small team, but working together with our specific skillsets and a shared goal of promoting Victorian Aboriginal positivity, we are able to create an exciting service that is absolutely unique in its model and content delivery.
Charles Pakana
Founder and Editor
The second of three successive generations of Aboriginal journalists, Charles (born Keir Wells) is founder of Victorian Aboriginal News. Starting his career in journalism soon after leaving the Army in 1984, he worked primarily as a print magazine writer in the IT industry.
Charles is a committed vanlifer, having moved into is 2019 Ford Transit van, which now serves as his primary workplace and full-time home, since February 2021.
He is particularly passionate about reconciliation, often speaking on this subject around Victoria.
Sophie Kahl
Partnerships and Projects Manager
Sophie joined Victorian Aboriginal News as a volunteer in 2022. Now in a paid position, she has assumed a broad range of responsibilities, including: partnership management, special projects management, funding and, importantly, managing Charles’ schedule of speaking and MC events.
Sophie’s background is in cultural heritage, collections and museums where she has worked for the last 15 years for local state and private organisations. She is also responsible for the VAN content archive, ensuring all of the stories we record and programs developed are held with care and respect for future generations.
She loves the buzz of working in the media landscape, getting out and meeting community, sharing positive stories and forging ongoing, strong connections.
Uncle Col Clark
Cultural Gift Artist
Uncle Col (Marra) Clark is an esteemed Barkandji Ngiyampaa Elder known for his beautiful artwork and welcoming warm spirit. At VAN we are honoured to have Uncle Col make all of the cultural gifts we share with program participants.
In the language of the Bakandji, marra means hands. It is a name chosen by Uncle Col because it signifies how all his art is created. For Over 20 years his art has been his connection to country, spirits, his medicine for mental wellbeing and keeps him grounded in his culture.
Uncle Col’s motto and reasoning is: “I do this for my enjoyment hoping my art will bring enjoyment to someone else.”