Venessa ‘Nessa’ Longbottom is from the La Perouse Aboriginal Community situated on the northern arm of Botany Bay. Nessa grew up on the Aboriginal Reserve at La Perouse under the Aboriginal Protection Board, where her daughters and grandchildren reside today.

Nessa belongs to the Dharawal people of Coastal Sydney, Illawarra and Shoalhaven River and comes from a long line of Dharawal women from Lucy Sims (Lyons), Minnie Broughton, Emma Timbery, Susan Edwards and Esther Walker. Nessa enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, camping, fishing, travelling and playing cards.