Our Team

Reginia Girgirba (Jilly)

Managing Director

“You can take a girl out of the desert, but you cannot take the desert out of the girl”

Reginia ( Jilly) Girgirba is a proud Martu woman with deep cultural ties to her community, maintaining strong connections to Country throughout her life. She brings more than 15 years of operational and technical experience across the mining and resources sector.

Reginia began her career with a small trucking company, working as an operator and trades assistant, before progressing into mobile crushing and large-scale mining operations with Ngarda Civil and Mining, Fortescue Metals Group, and BHP. Her commitment to excellence saw her advance into operator-trainer roles and ultimately achieve her goal of becoming an excavator operator. 

As the industry transitioned toward autonomous haulage, Reginia moved into maintenance, taking on the role of Fuel Technician at BHP’s Jimblebar mine site. Her adaptability and capability positioned her as a valued contributor during a period of significant operational change. 

Following the passing of her adopted mother, Reginia became the full-time carer for her nephew and made the decision to step away from mining. She continued to apply her industry knowledge locally as a Service Advisor for a family-owned haulage business. 

During this period, a conversation with co-founder Mitch, sparked by concerns about housing conditions affecting her grandmother in Parnngurr Community – led to the establishment of Martu Waru. Reginia’s lived experience, cultural leadership, and commitment to community wellbeing now guide the organisation’s mission to improve living conditions and create sustainable opportunities for Martu people.

“I’m from a place that is so enriched in culture, tradition and customs. A place that always calls me home and surrounds me with people I love and cherish. A land so rich with life, wonder and history.”

Sylvia Wilson

Business Development Manager

Sylvia Wilson is a proud Martu woman and family with Kumpaya Girgirba. With over six years of experience in the Australian public service, including roles with Taxation and Services Australia (Centrelink), Sylvia now channels her passion for the arts at the Martumili Art Centre. There, she delights in setting up exhibitions, sharing stories, and travelling the world to explore art galleries and museums as a dedicated travel Wanti (woman).

“Family and culture run through our veins and infuse our spirit, linking us across generations and guiding our journey with their timeless strength.”

Mitchel Liddell

Managing Director

Mitchel Liddell is one of the Directors at Martu Waru. Mitch originally comes from a trade background where he became a qualified tool maker/CNC machinist in 2006 as an 18-year-old. Mitch excelled in this field and was entered into the Apprentice of the Year competition as a 16-year-old boy competing against men, for which he received a commendation.

Mitch and his wife Sasha started their first business in the manufacturing industry, Bluechip CNC Machining, which they are still running successfully. Mitch also moved off and expanded his horizons by moving into other industries and studying to receive his Electrical Contractors Licence, Cert IV & Diploma in Building & Construction & NACE 2 coating inspectors’ qualifications along with others.

In 2022 Mitch opened another company with two business partners, Bluechip Industrial Services, a fabrication, electrical & site services company. Bluechip services the mining, services and agricultural industry, and identified a need for full package service with 100% focus. As a result, Bluechip has seen exponential growth in its two short years of trading.

The key strengths Mitch brings to Martu Waru are his extensive knowledge of the building & manufacturing industries, his ability to identify shortfalls in a market and act on them swiftly and with purpose, his excellent business and people management skills, and his years of managing and directing companies in different industries.