IRNet Capability Building Day
Program
September 28
Our Voice - Our Research - Our Future
Registration
8:30 - 9am
Welcome
9 - 10am
In 1998, a group of Redfern residents came together with the vision of revitalising Aboriginal culture through economic and social stability.
Tribal Warrior has been a central part of the Redfern community for over two decades. Throughout this time of rebuild and change, their vision has been unwavering – they want to empower our community through connection to culture and family. All Tribal Warrior activities are designed to contribute to a Redfern that is strong in its history, proud of its achievements, and economically self-sustaining into the future.
Learn more about Tribal Warrior by visiting their website.
Uncle Allan Murray
Chairperson, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council
Uncle Allan Murray is a descendant of the Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi nation where his parents belong too. His father - a stolen generation - comes from the Cummunga village on the Murray River. His mother is from the north west of NSW, a little town ship called Walgett located in the heart of the Kamilaroi nation.
Allan has held both the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson role of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) and has been a member of the Land Council for 15+ years.
His role with MLALC backed by a solid board who are tasked to bring change, strive for economic and self determination to represent 17,000 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders who reside in the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council boundaries.
Allan has several qualifications in business management and human resources practices. His priority is in providing leadership to community members, support our youth and continue the recognition of our elders who are the gate keepers of knowledge, respect and wisdom.
Professor Aunty Kerrie Doyle
Associate Dean, Indigenous Health, School of Medicine
Western Sydney University
Aunty Kerrie is the inaugural professor and associate dean on Indigenous Health in the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University. She is the Chair of the Indigenous subcommittee for WHTRN, and the academic lead of the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing clinical academic group of Maridjulu Budyari Gumal. An Aboriginal woman from Winninninni/Budjeri and Cadigal/Irish heritage, she is married to a chiefly Tuhoe kaumatua, has one son and 2 poodles. She has no grannies, and hope is fast fading.
Professor Raymond Lovett
Mayi Kuwayu Study Director, Australian National University
Ray is an Aboriginal (Ngiyampaa/Wongaibon) social epidemiologist with over two decades of experience in health services research, large scale data analysis for public health policy development and evaluation. In conjunction with strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance, Ray leads Mayi Kuwayu, the National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing. Ray is also an Executive member of the Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty Collective who developed the Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles for Australia. Ray is also a key member of the Global Indigenous Data Alliance (GIDA).
Professor Catherine Chamberlain
Professor of Indigenous Health, University of Melbourne
Professor Catherine Chamberlain is a Palawa Trawlwoolway woman (Tasmania), midwife, NHMRC Career Development Fellow and Head of Onemda Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, University of Melbourne. Her research aims to identify perinatal opportunities to improve health equity and she has received a prestigious Lowitja Research leadership award (2019) and CATSINAM fellowship (2022). Prof Chamberlain leads large multi-disciplinary projects: including Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future – which aims to improve perinatal awareness, recognition, assessment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents experiencing complex trauma; and Replanting the Birthing Trees, which aims to transform intergenerational cycles of trauma to cycles of nurturing and recovery. She is inaugural Editor-In-Chief of First Nations Health and Wellbeing Lowitja Journal and sits on numerous advisory committees to promote policy and program impact.
Morning Tea
10 - 10:30am
Journeys into Research
10:30 am- 12:45pm
Chair: Associate Professor Michelle Dickson
Deputy Head of School of Public Health, University of Sydney
Associate Professor Michelle Dickson, Darkinjung/Ngarigu academic in the Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. She lives and works on Gadigal land (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia). A/Prof. Dickson has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing service delivery and health professions education for 27 years. She is Deputy Head of School and former Academic Program Director of the Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion. In 2021 the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) awarded her for contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Public Health. A/Prof. Dickson focuses on privileging First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing in education, research, health and wellness.
Panelist: Associate Professor Shawana Andrews
Director and Associate Professor, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne.
Shawana Andrews is a Trawlwoolway Palawa woman. She is Director and Associate Professor of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Shawana has a long history working across Aboriginal communities in Victoria with over 20 years’ experience working in Aboriginal health, beginning as an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer at the Royal Children’s Hospital. At the Melbourne Poche Centre she leads the Centre’s signature programs that focus on Aboriginal doctoral advancement and health leadership. International partnerships and global connections are currently being developed to support this work. Shawana’s research areas include: Aboriginal graduate research candidate experiences and social capital, place and purpose of Aboriginal health leadership, Aboriginal mothering practices and family violence, Aboriginal feminisms and gendered knowledges, and cultural practice-based methodologies.
Panelist: Ali Drummond
PhD Candidate
Ali was born and raised on Weibene (Thursday Island or TI) in north Queensland, and his people are the Meriam people of Zenadh Kes (Torres Straits), and the Wuthathi people of Cape York Peninsula.
Ali is a registered nurse, and his experience spans clinical practice, management, policy, academia, and research. He is currently the National Director of Education and Practice at the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives.
Ali is completing his PhD investigating the experiences of Australian nursing academics who are tasked with developing, delivering, and evaluating nursing curricula concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and well-being.
Panelist: Associate Professor Veronica Matthews
University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney
Veronica is a Quandamooka woman from Minjerribah who lives and works on Bundjalung Country at the University Centre for Rural Health, The University of Sydney. Her work centres on improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander holistic health care systems (incorporating environmental, social and cultural determinants of health) through systems-thinking and community-based participatory research. She co-leads the Indigenous Knowledges theme within the Healthy Environment and Lives (HEAL) National Network and the Centre for Research Excellence in Strengthening Systems for Indigenous Health Care Equity (CRE-STRIDE). Both collaborations are multi-jurisdictional and transdisciplinary networks of service providers, policymakers and researchers working to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and methodologies into inter-sectoral research to achieve health equity.
Panelist: Glenn Pearson
Director, First Nations Strategy and Leadership, Telethon Kids Institute
Glenn Pearson is a Nyoongar and the Director First Nations Strategy and Leadership at the Telethon Kids Institute which is located on Nyoongar Whadjuk boodjar. A member of the Executive Team his position leads the implementation of the Institute’s Commitment to Aboriginal Children and Families (2020-2023) Statement. The Commitment drives the integration of Indigenous health across all operations of Institute and specifically the Institute’s research program. A trained primary school teacher, he has 15 years of experience in senior positions within the Australian and State Governments in a range of areas including health, education and child protection including almost 10 years with the now, Department of Communities (formerly Child Protection).
Since joining the Institute in 2005 he has established a broad program of research including in the areas of youth suicide and mental health, child development and FASD but his primary area of research is in Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) where he is the Indigenous Lead for the Institute’s END RHD Program as well as the Australian Strep A Vaccine Alliance (ASAVI). The Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI) is an Australian-led global initiative with the goal of reducing the disease burden caused by Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) infection through effective vaccination.
Professor Rhonda Marriott AM
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, Murdoch University
A senior and highly respected Aboriginal researcher, Professor Rhonda Marriott AM is the Inaugural Pro Vice Chancellor of the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change at Murdoch University. Born in Derby, Western Australia, Prof Marriott is proudly descended from Nyikina people. Also a nurse and a midwife, she provides strong cultural and scientific leadership to the Ngangk Yira Institute’s translational research outcomes into policy and practice with a focus “Aboriginal Families, Healthy and Resilient”.
Possessing a strong vision for translational Aboriginal research that is co-designed, Prof Marriott has drawn together a passionate and highly regarded team of Aboriginal and non-indigenous researchers. Together with Elders and members of the Noongar community on Whadjuk Boodjar, they ensure community translation of research findings.
She is the first known Aboriginal Head of a University School of Nursing in Australia when she became the inaugural Head of the School of Nursing at Murdoch University in 2003.
Professor James Ward
Director, Poche Centre, University of Queensland
Professor James Ward is a Pitjantjatjara and Nukunu man, an infectious diseases epidemiologist and a national leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research, with over 25 years of experience in Aboriginal public health policy and research. In his current role as Director of the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health he leads research aimed at impacting health and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations peoples, including a program of research to reduce incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases in Indigenous communities; a program of urban Indigenous health research and a global Indigenous health research program. James’ involvement in the COVID-19 pandemic has been integral to Australia’s efforts, including as a member of the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia (CDNA), the CDNA COVID-19 Working Group, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19 and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritisation Group.
Professor Aunty Kerrie Doyle
Associate Dean, Indigenous Health, School of Medicine
Western Sydney University
Aunty Kerrie is the inaugural professor and associate dean on Indigenous Health in the School of Medicine at Western Sydney University. She is the Chair of the Indigenous subcommittee for WHTRN, and the academic lead of the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing clinical academic group of Maridjulu Budyari Gumal. An Aboriginal woman from Winninninni/Budjeri and Cadigal/Irish heritage, she is married to a chiefly Tuhoe kaumatua, has one son and 2 poodles. She has no grannies, and hope is fast fading.
Lunch
12:45 - 1:30pm
Abstract Presentations with Panel Feedback
1:30 - 3:30pm
Chair: Professor Aunty Kerrie Doyle
1:30pm
WOmen’s action for Mums and Bubs (WOMB) – Facilitator Stories of women’s Aboriginal and Torres women’s groups
Melody Muscat
Research Officer, James Cook University
Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
Melody is an Aboriginal woman whose ancestral connection is to the Bidjara Nation of South-Western Queensland. She is a currently employed as a Research Officer at James Cook University, and a Research Fellow with the University of Melbourne. With a background in Indigenous health promotion, Melody focusses her interests on applying Indigenous methodologies to provide new understandings of how to improve health service delivery for maternal and child health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Melody is an engaged researcher/evaluator with extensive experience in collaborating and coordinating projects with national and local teams.
Kristy Clancy
CRE-STRIDE Fellowship, James Cook University
Kristy is a Wakka Wakka woman, who was born and raised on Kalkadoon Country in Mount Isa, and now lives in Townsville across the lands of the Wulgurukaba and Bindal Peoples. During her years working with various teams at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation, Kristy was involved in a range of research projects led by different universities, consultancy groups, and peak bodies. This experience generated greater interest in understanding research processes, and the role that research can play in driving systems change. Kristy now works at JCU as a ‘STRIDE Fella’ on a fellowship with the Centre for Research Excellence in STRengthening systems for Indigenous health care Equity (CRE-STRIDE).
1:45pm
Enablers and barriers to primary health care for Indigenous adolescents: A systematic review of studies across Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada
Stephen Harfield
PhD Candidate, University of Queensland
Senior Research Fellow, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
Stephen is a Narungga and Ngarrindjeri man from South Australia, and PhD candidate with the School of Public Health at the University of Queensland and Senior Research Fellow with the University of Queensland Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.
Stephen is an epidemiologist and public health researcher who has worked with Aboriginal communities and organisations across Australia. Stephen has experience in conducting health services research, sexual health, adolescents and young people’s health and wellbeing, and Indigenous methodology.
Stephen’s PhD is exploring how primary health care can be strengthened for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents aged 15-24 years living in urban settings.
2pm
Planting Seeds: The use of cultural immersion to improve cultural safety when Indigenous perspectives are embedded in nursing and midwifery curricula
Alison Barnes
Associate Lecturer, Western Sydney University
Ms Alison Barnes is a proud Wiradjuri woman and a Registered Nurse with over 30 years professional experience across primary health, mental health and critical care. Alison has also worked for Link Up NSW. Alison is a mother, artist and poet.
Alison is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University and is involved in helping to embed contemporary Aboriginal culture across the curriculum. Alison is a member of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Registration Board.
Alison has a lifelong commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2:15pm
‘Connecting our way’: Improving the Mental Health of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by connecting to culture
Danielle Cameron
Research Associate, University of Sydney
Danielle is a Yuibera woman, who was born and raised on Turrbal Country in Meeanjin (Brisbane), and now lives in Widjabul Wia-bul lands in Lismore. Danielle has over 20 years’ experience in working within community, health and education sectors with numerous roles including Social and Emotional Wellbeing Co-Ordinator, Case Worker, Child Counsellor, Primary School Teacher, Senior Workforce Development for the Mental Health Commission and Director of her own company. While having a drive and passion for utilising mixed contemporary delivery methods intrinsically entwined in First Nation practices to enhancing SEWB, community engagement and trauma awareness to have better outcomes for vulnerable populations. Danielle is now working as a research associate with University of Sydney (CRE-STRIDE).
Kristy Clancy
CRE-STRIDE Fellowship, James Cook University
Kristy is a Wakka Wakka woman, who was born and raised on Kalkadoon Country in Mount Isa, and now lives in Townsville across the lands of the Wulgurukaba and Bindal Peoples. During her years working with various teams at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation, Kristy was involved in a range of research projects led by different universities, consultancy groups, and peak bodies. This experience generated greater interest in understanding research processes, and the role that research can play in driving systems change. Kristy now works at JCU as a ‘STRIDE Fella’ on a fellowship with the Centre for Research Excellence in STRengthening systems for Indigenous health care Equity (CRE-STRIDE).
2:30pm
Evaluating the culturally responsive elements, effectiveness and transferability of online dementia education and training with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Lauren Poulos
Project Coordinator, Neuroscience Research Australia
Lauren is a Biripi woman from NSW, with over 17 years’ experience in the Finance Services, and Not-for-Profit Industry. For the last 4 years, she has been a part of the Aboriginal Health and Ageing Program team at NeuRA as a Project Coordinator on the Caring for Spirit Project. Lauren has managed this project which translates research into culturally relevant and accessible dementia information, education and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
2:45pm
Using nominal group technique to identify barriers and facilitators of culturally proficient AOD service delivery for Indigenous people
Robert Doyle
Mres Candidate and Yarramundi Scholarship Recipient, Western Sydney University
Robert Doyle is a Cadagal/Eora, Winninninni man, raised on Darkinjung country. He has a background in Nursing and Community Mental Health. Robert is currently an Mres Candidate with Western Sydney University, having received a Yarramundi scholarship.
Robert is a stand for Indigenous identity and equity and strives to support new Indigenous health workers in their studies and practice.
3pm
Incorporating Indigenous knowledges in diabetes research
Sian Graham
Research Officer | Chair Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group
DIABETES across the LIFECOURSE; Northern Australia Partnership
My name is Sian Graham - I am of Noongar and Bardi -Jawi decent from two different areas in Western Australia, the Balladong Wheatbelt region and One Arm Point in the Kimberley. I have had a number of opportunities to undertake research in both urban and remote communities across the Northern Territory and the Kimberley. I have worked at Menzies School of Health Research for over 12 years across several divisions. I am dedicated and committed to working towards improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I believe that it is my responsibility as an Aboriginal researcher to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their rights. I believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must play an imperative role in research, and we need to work together collaboratively to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have an opportunity to identify priorities and provide input into the direction of our research.
3:15pm
Advancing a relational approach to strengthening research partnerships – LEAP Learning Community
Kristy Clancy
CRE-STRIDE Fellowship, James Cook University
Kristy is a Wakka Wakka woman, who was born and raised on Kalkadoon Country in Mount Isa, and now lives in Townsville across the lands of the Wulgurukaba and Bindal Peoples. During her years working with various teams at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation, Kristy was involved in a range of research projects led by different universities, consultancy groups, and peak bodies. This experience generated greater interest in understanding research processes, and the role that research can play in driving systems change. Kristy now works at JCU as a ‘STRIDE Fella’ on a fellowship with the Centre for Research Excellence in STRengthening systems for Indigenous health care Equity (CRE-STRIDE).
Afternoon Tea
3:30 - 4pm
Student Led Session & Wrap Up
4 - 5pm
Simone Sheriff
PhD Candidate
Simone is a Wotjobaluk woman and has worked at the Sax Institute on the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH) for 10 years. She has experience working in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector in NSW, in Aboriginal health research and in the implementation of services and programs relating to ear health, speech and language development and food security in urban Aboriginal communities. Simone has completed a Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Health Promotion and a Master of Public Health at The University of Sydney. She is currently undertaking a PhD looking at the prevalence and protective factors for healthy weight status amongst Aboriginal children and young people in urban areas of NSW, and food security. Simone holds a Turner PhD scholarship through the Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney University, and was in the Poche Indigenous Leadership Fellows program through the University of Melbourne.
David Meharg
PhD Candidate
David Meharg is a proud Aboriginal man of the Bigambul nation, Queensland, Australia. He was raised on the Wiradjuri nation in central-west New South Wales. He has worked in Aboriginal health service delivery, leadership and policy in the New South Wales public health system. David has a Bachelor of Health Science (Community & Public Health), a Master of Health Service Management and a Master of Public Health - with Distinction. David manages the Breathe Easy, Walk Easy, Lungs for Life (BE WELL) Project and is completing a PhD at the University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health. BE WELL is a National Health & Medical Research Council funded research project through the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases. BE WELL aims to evaluate the implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
Heather D'Antoine
Associate Director for Aboriginal Programs, Menzies School of Health Research
Heather has 25 years of experience in health services as a registered nurse and midwife and as a health service manager in both Aboriginal health services and general health services across Western Australia.
Heather has worked extensively in health research: at the Institute for Child Health Research and at Menzies School of Health Research. She has clinical qualifications in general nursing and midwifery and academic qualifications in health economics.
Heather’s research interest is in maternal and child health. She is particularly focused on the area of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and other birth defects. Heather has worked with a research team on a number of projects in this area including describing what health professionals and women know and do about alcohol and pregnancy and FASD. She has been involved with developing and evaluating resources for health professionals and developing a model of care for FASD in Western Australia.
In 2022, Heather was appointed as a Commissioner to the National Mental Health Commission Advisory Board.
Associate Professor Karla Canuto
Associate Professor, Flinders University
Associate Professor Karla Canuto is a Torres Strait Islander, descendent of the Naghir Tribe of the Kulkagul Clan. Karla has over 20 years’ experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health/ health research. Karla's qualifications include a Bachelor of Sports & Exercise Science, a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion and a PhD conferred in 2013. Karla has experience across a wide range of research projects all focused on improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, topics include cancer, chronic disease prevention, mums and bubs and the promotion of physical activity and nutrition. She is also passionate about building the capacity and capabilities of researchers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, in particular, growing the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers.
Networking Event
5 - 6:30pm
Sign Up to the IRNet Mailing List
Both the IRNet Showcase and Capability Building Day are accessible, with lift access, Auslan interpreters and closed captioning.
The Black Cockatoo Feather
The Black Cockatoo feather symbolises connectedness, abundance and the rejuvenation of energy and spirit.
A familiar and well-loved bird, the Black Cockatoo is found across Australia often hailing the onset of rain.
Illustrated by Wiradjuri man, Paul Gilsenan.