General News
12 May, 2026
Raylene is new NLALC boss
Raylene Weldon is the new Nyngan Local Aboriginal Land Council (NLALC) chief executive officer
The Nyngan Local Aboriginal Land Council (NLALC) has announced the appointment of Raylene Weldon as its new chief executive officer.
The appointment follows the departure of long serving CEO Veneta Dutton, who was instrumental in fostering many community relationships during her time, and improving local outcomes for aboriginal people.
Raylene’s connection to NLALC is deeply personal - her parent was among the original founders of the Land Council in the 1980s, and she fondly recalls attending marches and protests with her family, advocating for Aboriginal Land Rights, social justice, and equity.
Raylene brings to NLALC a wealth of lived experiences and academic knowledge. She is a proud winarr (woman) with ancestral kinship connections to the Wangaaypuwan, Wayilwan, Wiradjuri, and Gomeroi Nations.
With over 30 years’ experience in education, Raylene has worked extensively with the department of education as an Aboriginal education officer, supporting students, teachers, families, and the wider community.
A strong advocate for cultural revitalisation, Raylene has actively contributed to the preservation and implementation of the mother tongue of Nyngan - the Wangaaypuwan Ngiyampaa language - through educational centres and community workshops.
She has also served on a range of national, state, regional, and local boards, promoting educational outcomes and equity.
Her leadership continues through executive participation in local, regional, and state Aboriginal Education Consultative Committees.
In her role as CEO of NLALC, Raylene will oversee operational compliance, governance, and administration of the organisation, working closely with the NLALC board to achieve the objectives outlined in the 'Community Land and Business Plan'.
Her duties will include managing staff, programs, and community engagement initiatives, ensuring regulatory compliance, fostering partnerships to support the Land Council’s vision and mission; and land management and acquisitions.
Looking ahead, Raylene is committed to driving growth in her role and serving the NLALC board, members, and broader community. She is particularly passionate about creating training and development opportunities, as well as initiating a “working bee” project at Warrigal to grow fresh vegetables and facilitate cultural activities on country.
As a woman of strength and integrity, Raylene Weldon remains dedicated to serving her community with a lens of equity, social justice, cultural integrity, and humanity, continuing the legacy of advocacy and leadership established by her family decades ago.