Our Founder Story

To lead today, one must acknowledge the fire that was lit generations ago. For Ashleigh McGuire, leadership isn’t just a professional choice—it is an ancestral inheritance. Beyond her roots with Sally of Wandandian, Ashleigh carries the bloodline of Jimmy Governor, a man whose life became a symbol of resistance and the breaking point of colonial pressure.

While history books and films like The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith often frame his story through a lens of tragedy, Ashleigh views her descent from him through the lens of truth-telling and reclamation.

The connection to Jimmy Governor adds a unique depth to Ashleigh’s role as a cultural authority and business leader:

The Courage to Challenge Systems: Jimmy Governor’s story was born out of a refusal to be silenced or exploited by the systems of his time. Ashleigh carries this same "warrior spirit" into the boardroom. Whether she is advocating for Aboriginal suppliers or sitting on the board, she isn't afraid to challenge the status quo to ensure her people get a fair go.

Reclaiming the Narrative: For too long, the stories of our ancestors were told by outsiders. Ashleigh’s leadership at Ripementoring is a modern act of reclaiming that power. She teaches the next generation that they are the authors of their own stories, moving from the "Blacksmith" myth to the reality of Aboriginal excellence.

A Duty to the Youth: Knowing the weight of her family’s history, Ashleigh feels a profound responsibility to the "Stronger Warriors" program. She works to ensure that the fire and energy of our youth are channeled into growth, education, and leadership, ensuring that the struggles of the past become the stepping stones for the future.

Cultural Authority through Truth: Being a direct descendant of such a significant historical figure gives Ashleigh a grounded authority in the Yuin Nation. It allows her to bridge the gap between historical trauma and modern success, showing that despite every attempt to break the lineage, the family remains—stronger, louder, and more successful than ever.

Continuing the Journey

"We are not defined by the chains put upon our ancestors, but by the strength it took for them to survive so that we could be here. Carrying the blood of Jimmy Governor means carrying a legacy of resilience that cannot be broken." — Ashleigh McGuire

Today, We replace the tragedy of "Jimmy Blacksmith" with a new legacy of entrepreneurship, mentorship, and community care. Ashleigh McGuire stands as the living proof that the story didn't end in 1901—it was just the beginning of a new chapter of Aboriginal power and voices being heard at the table.

History isn’t just found in books; it’s carried in our bloodlines. Today, we are sharing the powerful connection between our Founder, Ashleigh McGuire, and her great-great-great-grandmother, the formidable Jane Duren.

A century ago, Jane Duren stood as a pillar of strength for the Yuin people in Batemans Bay and the Shoalhaven. In 1926, when Aboriginal children were being barred from local schools, Jane didn’t back down.

She took the fight all the way to the top, sending formal protests to King George V and traveling to Sydney in 1927 to personally petition the Department of Education. By 1928, she won. Her grandchildren returned to school, proving that one woman’s voice can change the future for an entire generation.

The Continuation: Ashleigh McGuire (2026)
Fast forward 100 years, and that same spirit of advocacy lives on South Coast. As a Yuin woman and the Sole Director of Ripementoring Pty Ltd, Ashleigh McGuire is walking directly in Jane’s footsteps.

Where Jane fought for the right to an education, Ashleigh is building the infrastructure for Aboriginal economic success and youth empowerment:

The Ripe Hub: Creating a dedicated co-working space in Nowra where our mob has a seat at the table and the tools to lead.

Empowered Tiddas: Mentoring the next generation of young women to find their voice, just as Jane found hers.

Strategic Advocacy: Leading major projects like the Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Aboriginal Capability Building and Mentoring Transition and the Ripe Hub Co-Working, ensuring our community is at the forefront of the future.

A Legacy of Self-Determination
Jane Duren fought for our right to occupy space and be heard. Today, through Ripementoring and The Ripe Hub, we aren't just occupying space—we are owning it.

From Jane's petitions of the 1920s to Ashleigh being nominated for the Women Changing The World Awards in Paris in 2026, the message remains the same: We are still here, we are leading, and we are stronger than ever.

"I don't just run a business; I carry a legacy. Every time we open the doors to The Ripe Hub, we are honoring the path Jane Duren cleared for us a century ago." — Ashleigh McGuire

They say to know where you are going, you must first know whose shoulders you stand on. For Ashleigh McGuire, those shoulders belong to her grandmother, Elder Sally of Wandandian.

Sally wasn’t just a figure from the past; she is the Apical Ancestor for the South Coast People. A woman of the Wandandian clan, her life stretched across the 19th century, connecting the ancient traditions of the Yuin Nation to the modern world we navigate today.

Her bloodlines remain the heartbeat of the Shoalhaven and Milton regions, providing the foundation for Ashleigh’s leadership and cultural authority.

For Ashleigh, Sally of Wandandian is more than a memory—she is a blueprint for how to lead with integrity, strength, and purpose. This ancestral connection influences every aspect of Ashleigh’s business and community work:

Inherent Cultural Authority: As a descendant of an Apical Ancestor and a Native Title holder, Ashleigh does not just speak about the community—she speaks from it. This lineage grants her the cultural mandate to lead initiatives, ensuring that Aboriginal voices remain central to regional development.

Resilience as a Business Strategy: Sally lived through a century of immense colonial upheaval yet maintained an unbreakable bond to Country. Ashleigh channels this same resilience into Ripementoring and The Ripe Hub, turning personal and historical challenges into a drive to empower others.

Intergenerational Mentorship: Just as Sally’s story was preserved and passed down, Ashleigh’s work with the "Empowered Tiddas" and "Stronger Warriors" programs is about ensuring the next generation of Yuin youth understands their own worth and history.

Custodianship in Commerce: In Ashleigh’s eyes, business is a modern form of caring for Country. Her leadership is guided by the principle that success must benefit the collective, honoring the descendants Sally left behind.

The Living Breath of the Ancestors

"When I’m working at The Ripe Hub or mentoring our youth, I’m not just building a business—I’m continuing a story that Sally started. We are the living breath of our ancestors on Country." — Ashleigh McGuire

To the Wandandian woman who started it all: We remember you, we honor you, and through your leadership, we continue your legacy.

Today, we take a moment to honor the incredible life and enduring legacy of Marie Stewart (née Parsons)—a respected Yuin Elder, a trailblazer, and the powerful maternal grandmother who remains the guiding light for Ashleigh McGuire.

Marie wasn’t just a witness to history; she was a force that shaped it. Her strength lives on in the very foundations of the Nowra and Shoalhaven communities she served so fiercely. 

Marie was a foundational voice in the development of the Circle Sentencing system in Nowra. She understood that true justice required more than just a courtroom; it required the wisdom of Elders and the accountability of community. By bringing cultural authority into the legal process, she helped bridge the gap between Western law and Aboriginal culture, advocating for healing and restoration over mere punishment.

Education was a front line Marie refused to back down from. At a time when barriers were high, she fought a courageous battle to ensure her children and the first generation of Aboriginal students could attend St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Nowra. She believed every child deserved high-quality education and a seat at the table. Her persistence didn’t just open doors for her own family—it paved the way for an entire community. 

Ashleigh often reflects on the "matriarchal roadmap" Marie left behind. From overcoming personal hardships to leading with unwavering cultural pride, Marie’s resilience is the heartbeat of Ripementoring Pty Ltd, the Empowered Tiddas program and the Ripe Hub Co-Working Space created in the legacy and remembrance of her grandmother as her mentor and guide.

Marie Stewart’s commitment to her people was perhaps most visible in her formal leadership as a Board Member of the Nowra Aboriginal Land Council (NALC). In this role, she was not just an advisor but a decision-maker who fought for the tangible return of land to the Yuin community. She believed that land was the key to economic independence. Marie pushed for the Land Council to manage its assets in ways that created jobs and housing for local Aboriginal families.

The Intergenerational Torch
Marie’s service on the board set a high standard for leadership that her family continues to meet today. Her granddaughter, Ashleigh McGuire, carries this legacy forward through her own extensive community involvement, including her previous service as a Board Member of the Nowra Aboriginal Land Council.

"Nan didn't't just want us to live on the land; she wanted us to protect it, and thrive from it."

Marie’s leadership extended to the boardrooms where the future of our Country was decided. As a Board Member of the Nowra Aboriginal Land Council, she was at the forefront of the fight for land rights, ensuring the Yuin people had a place to call home and sacred sites to protect. She proved that being a leader means standing firm for the earth beneath our feet. 

Today, Ashleigh continues this mission, serving the community with the same fire her grandmother ignited.

"Every time we empower an Aboriginal youth or advocate for community leadership, we are walking the path my grandmother Elder Marie Stewart cleared for us. She didn't just leave a name; she left a legacy of empowerment"-Ashleigh McGuire. 

Ashleigh McGuire’s leadership and business philosophy are deeply rooted in her lineage as a direct descendant of Governor Stewart, a pivotal figure in the history of the Yuin Nation. This ancestral connection serves as more than just a family tree; it is a foundational blueprint for her commitment to community, economic sovereignty, and cultural integrity on the South Coast.

As a descendant of Governor Stewart—who was recognized as a leader and foreman at Tilba Tilba Station—Ashleigh inherits a legacy of intermediary leadership. Governor Stewart was known for his ability to navigate the complex social and economic structures of his time while maintaining the respect and well-being of his Aboriginal workforce.

In her modern business practice, Ashleigh mirrors this by acting as a bridge between Aboriginal communities and large-scale corporate or government programs, Her leadership is characterized by:

Cultural Governance: Just as Governor Stewart held authority within his community, Ashleigh leads with a focus on "Country-first" principles, ensuring that business ventures respect Yuin cultural protocols.

Economic Empowerment: Following the historical precedent of the Stewart family’s large and resilient network, she prioritizes creating sustainable employment and mentoring for Mob.

Resilience as a Business Strategy
The Stewart bloodline is defined by endurance. From Governor Stewart’s leadership in the 1800s to the family’s continued presence as Native Title holders of the South Coast People, the lineage has survived through periods of immense systemic pressure.

For Ashleigh, this shapes a "tenacious" business mindset. Her journey as the Sole Director of Ripementoring Pty Ltd is a testament to this ancestral grit. Whether navigating the challenges of the "Black Summer" bushfires or overcoming personal hurdles to build The Ripe Hub in Nowra, her resilience is an expression of her Stewart heritage—proving that leadership is about standing firm for your people, regardless of the era.

Impact on the Yuin Community
Through her business, Ashleigh continues the Stewart tradition of stewardship. By establishing co-working spaces and mentoring programs like "Empowered Tiddas," she is effectively building the modern-day equivalent of the community networks her ancestors fostered.

Her work ensures that the Stewart name remains synonymous with progress and protection for the South Coast community, turning historical legacy into a living, breathing driver of Aboriginal economic success.

"Just as a our ancestors rise, we rise in their footsteps protecting our country, our people and our families bloodline legacy" -Ashleigh McGuire