Meet The Team
Jane Vaughan
Co-founder, co-director and employee of Big Sky Stories
Jane Vaughan has a Bachelor of Education from Australian Catholic University and has taught in Broken Hill for 12 years. She has taught across grades K-6, support classes and co-ordinated the school library. Through this role she has helped to develop a culture of reading for learning and wellbeing. She has incorporated creative opportunities for students through participation in School Drama with Sydney Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare Artist in Residence program and the Holyoake DRUMBEAT Program.
Over this time Jane saw the need for regional students to have access to a child focused space that facilitates and encourages a love of language and literacy, inspired by similar models in urban areas.
Robyn Ewing AM
Board member and co-director of Big Sky Stories
Robyn Ewing AM began her career in education as a primary teacher and is currently Professor Emerita and Co-Director of the CREATE Centre, University of Sydney. She is passionate about the role that the Arts, including literature, should play throughout our lives and in learning. Since 2009 Robyn has worked in partnership with the Sydney Theatre Company on School Drama, a professional learning program to develop teacher confidence and expertise in using drama with literature to enhance learners’ English and literacy outcomes.
Robyn is an Honorary Associate with Sydney Theatre Company, Co-Convenor, Foundation for Learning and Literacy, and a Visiting Scholar with Barking Gecko Children’s Theatre. A past President of the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association and the Primary English Teachers Association Australia, she was a Council member of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (2012-18), Deputy Chair of WestWords board (2015-2022) and Vice President of Story Factory (2012-2015).
Mary Pilkington
Co-director and board member of Big Sky Stories
Mary Pilkington has a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary 0-12 years) from Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. She has taught for 14 years in Sydney and Broken Hill in Child Care, Preschool and Primary School settings. Mary also has a passion and focus in Inclusive Education, Learning and Support and Wellbeing. She is currently a learning and support teacher at a local primary school in Broken Hill. Mary also has experience as a camp counsellor at summer camps in America and Australia as well as being a play therapist at a children’s hospice in Sydney.
Through Mary’s roles and experiences, she has demonstrated a love and passion for the early years, early intervention, inclusive education, mental health and wellbeing. She connects with children, families and services in the community to develop a strong partnership to ensure they all work together to help each child meet their full potential.
Mary will continue to build connections with children, families and the Big Sky Stories community through support at workshops, the PAY IT FORWARD program and while children have opportunities to choose a book to have a positive, interactive and creative experience in the world of the book.
Nicky Wright
Co-founder of Big Sky Stories
Nicky Wright began her career in early childhood services, later moving on to work in a range of child and family focused non-government welfare organisations, before eventually studying to become a social worker. Once graduating Nicky initially worked in adult mental health services in Sydney where she developed a keen interest in the role of the arts in health care. On moving to Broken Hill in 2016, Nicky worked as a social worker for the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health (BHUDRH) where she coordinated the social work student field education program. A key role within this was training and mentoring students in DRUMBEAT– a creative social and emotional learning groupwork program.
We advise that Nicky is no longer with the Big Sky Stories team. We thank her for all her hard work and skills sharing. We wish her well with her future endeavors.
