Mel Brown
Mel Brown is an accomplished author, artist and clairvoyant who has written and illustrated many popular spiritual titles.
Mel has a Masters in Indigenous Healing and Trauma from the Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW, Australia, and many years’ experience of working with children at risk. Acclaimed for her expertise in cultural competency and lateral violence both nationally and internationally, she draws on her personal and professional experience to work with families and organisations ensuring Aboriginal children who are unable to live at home are not excluded from cultural connection to their families.
Mel lives in Northern NSW.
Shades of Me
Despite an early life marred by moments of sheer despair and the agony of domestic violence, somehow Mel found the strength to survive. Then, as a young mother, she unlocked her ancestry’s secrets without realising the challenges that came with identifying as Aboriginal in Australia.
Shades of Me follows Mel’s journey as she redefines who she is and how she sees her place in the world. As Aboriginal families are being torn apart, this is a story of one woman’s fight to keep them together – one family at a time. And how, in helping others, she finds her true path in life.
Mel’s memoir is not just one of black or white or even a single shade in between: as she has discovered in her work for the community, everyone’s story is different;
hers is simply Shades of Me.
Mel Brown is a former manager of the ACT Aboriginal child protection unit and holds a Masters in Aboriginal Healing and Trauma. She has spent over 20 years providing Aboriginal counselling, spiritual healing and well-being programs for Aboriginal communities across Australia.
Mel Brown is an Indigenous author, artist and clairvoyant who has written and illustrated many popular spiritual titles. Mel has a Masters in Indigenous Healing and Trauma from the Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW, Australia, and many years experience of working with children at risk. Acclaimed for her expertise in cultural competency and lateral violence both nationally and internationally, she draws on her personal and professional experience to work with families and organisations ensuring Aboriginal children who are unable to live at home are not excluded from cultural connection to their families. Ashlee Donohue, is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Dunghutti nation, born and raised in Kempsey, New South Wales. She is an author, educator and media commentator advocating domestic and family violence awareness. Ashlee has created a platform to share lived experiences, as well as a safe place and support network for many women. Ashlee has appeared on the ABC (The Drum), NITV and SBS, and has written for publications such as Mamamia, IndigenousX and The Guardian, and appeared on many podcasts. She is the author of Because I Love Him (Magabala Books, 2024).
In her gripping memoir, “Shades of Me,” Ngunnawal woman Melinda Brown shares her profound journey of self-discovery and cultural awakening, set against the backdrop of NAIDOC Week. As Aboriginal families continue to face challenges, Mel’s story stands as a testament to one woman’s relentless fight to preserve and protect her community. Find more at the NITV Radio website: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/nitv