Indigenous Engagement

2022 Year in Review

Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ operates.

We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country.

We recognise their valuable contributions to Australian and global society.

2022: What didn't flood us, made us stronger

Although the year brought its own unique challenges, we continued to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and perspectives at UQ and in our communities.

And with COVID lockdowns fading away, 2022 became the year events made a comeback!

Student engagement

Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

We engaged with more future Indigenous students than ever before, visiting 57 schools and meeting hundreds of students, while increasing our capacity to support our current students.

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A school student in uniform and two adults wearing InspireU shirts standing in front of a large screen in a classroom

Robyn Donnelly and Kieren Marr hit the road to engage with 92 Indigenous students at schools in Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Clermont and Emerald.

Robyn Donnelly and Kieren Marr hit the road to engage with 92 Indigenous students at schools in Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Clermont and Emerald.

A group of high school students in their uniforms standing in front of a wall projection with the InspireU logo

Jackson Paton connected with the Beyond Broncos Program Coordinators to present to 68 students at five Brisbane schools.

Jackson Paton connected with the Beyond Broncos Program Coordinators to present to 68 students at five Brisbane schools.

A large group of students in InspireU jumpers at Herston campus

Students on a Health Sciences InspireU Camp at Herston

Students on a Health Sciences InspireU Camp at Herston

A teenager wearing protective equipment using a pipette to transfer liquid into a small container in a science laboratory

Students tried their hand at chemistry in the September Health Sciences STEM Camp

Students tried their hand at chemistry in the September Health Sciences STEM Camp

Two young women at an art exhibition with table display cabinets and symbols in lights on the wall behind them

Indigenous students received a private viewing at the UQ Art Museum of the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony, the National Gallery of Australia’s flagship exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

Indigenous students received a private viewing at the UQ Art Museum of the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony, the National Gallery of Australia’s flagship exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

A group of 40 school students wearing their uniformssitting on the ground surrounding a large rectangular piece of artwork

UQ's partnership with AIME, generously supported by Simon Fenwick through the Fenwick Foundation, allows us to engage with hundreds of school students each year.

UQ's partnership with AIME, generously supported by Simon Fenwick through the Fenwick Foundation, allows us to engage with hundreds of school students each year.

A group of 12 people huddled together and smiling in the corner of a room

We held the inaugural InspireU Alumni Event, for current UQ students who have previously attended an InspireU Camp. The well-received event was a chance for us to touch base with students and for them to network with each other.

We held the inaugural InspireU Alumni Event, for current UQ students who have previously attended an InspireU Camp. The well-received event was a chance for us to touch base with students and for them to network with each other.

Four high school students in matching grey hoodies with the words 'InspireU' printed on the front.

Students on a Health Sciences InspireU Camp at Herston

Students on a Health Sciences InspireU Camp at Herston

Student achievements

Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

Our students had a lot of reasons to celebrate!

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A mixed-gender netball team wearing uniforms and holding a blue banner that says 'UniSport Nationals Champions'

The Goorie Goannas were Netball Champions at the Indigenous Uni Games, and second placed overall!

The Goorie Goannas were Netball Champions at the Indigenous Uni Games, and second placed overall!

A selfie of Lesley Scanlan, who is smiling slightly

Science student Lesley Scanlan was one of the deserving recipients of an Arrow Energy ‘Go Further’ Indigenous Tertiary Scholarship

Science student Lesley Scanlan was one of the deserving recipients of an Arrow Energy ‘Go Further’ Indigenous Tertiary Scholarship

Callan Rudd-McMahon smiling in front of a Translational Research Institute Australia sign

Biomedical Science student Callan Rudd-McMahon discovered a passion for cancer treatment research during an internship with the UQ Diamantina Institute

Biomedical Science student Callan Rudd-McMahon discovered a passion for cancer treatment research during an internship with the UQ Diamantina Institute

Miah Hickman, a young woman, sitting and smiling in front of a staircase and a garden

Doctor of Medicine student Miah Hickman was awarded the Peter Hoj Mandy Thomas Scholarship

Doctor of Medicine student Miah Hickman was awarded the Peter Hoj Mandy Thomas Scholarship

Mitch Rom, a young man wearing an Aboriginal Sash, speaking at a lectern with a microphone

Graduand Dr Mitch Rom speaks at the mid-year Indigenous Sashing Ceremony

Graduand Dr Mitch Rom speaks at the mid-year Indigenous Sashing Ceremony

Staff achievements

Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

Our staff had an amazing year too…

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, a woman with short light brown hair, wearing a bright pink jacket and a large heart-shaped necklace. She is standing in front of green shrubs and is smiling slightly.

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) was awarded the 2022 NAIDOC Education Award for decades of work to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) was awarded the 2022 NAIDOC Education Award for decades of work to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

Dr Anita Heiss, a woman with light brown hair wearing lilac glasses, holding a rectangular glass trophy and smiling

Author, writer, poet, academic and proud Wiradjuri woman Dr Anita Heiss was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant services to tertiary Indigenous studies, and to the Arts.

Author, writer, poet, academic and proud Wiradjuri woman Dr Anita Heiss was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant services to tertiary Indigenous studies, and to the Arts.

Arielle Henaway, a young woman with blonde shoulder-length hair, smiling

UQ Indigenous Engagement General Services Officer Arielle Henaway was appointed to the Foundation of Young Australians (FYA) First Nations Governance Committee.

UQ Indigenous Engagement General Services Officer Arielle Henaway was appointed to the Foundation of Young Australians (FYA) First Nations Governance Committee.

Cover art for Professor Anita Heiss' book Tiddas, featuring five women wearing purple shirts with their arms around each other and smiling

Professor Anita Heiss' book 'Tiddas' was turned into a successful theatre production by La Boite Theatre with QPAC.

Professor Anita Heiss' book 'Tiddas' was turned into a successful theatre production by La Boite Theatre with QPAC.

Stephanie Gilbert, a woman with short grey curly hair, looking into the distance

Associate Professor Stephanie Gilbert was announced as a new member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA) Panel for 2022. 

Associate Professor Stephanie Gilbert was announced as a new member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA) Panel for 2022. 

Dr Katelyn Barney and Professor Tracey Bunda at a desk with a microphone

Dr Katelyn Barney (left) and Professor Tracey Bunda launched a new podcast series called 'Indigenous Success: Doing it, Thinking it, Being it’.

Dr Katelyn Barney (left) and Professor Tracey Bunda launched a new podcast series called 'Indigenous Success: Doing it, Thinking it, Being it’.

Dr Katelyn Barney and Professor Tracey Bunda in front of a sign reading 'The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education'

Editors Professor Bronwyn Fredericks (UQ), Professor Martin Nakata (JCU) and Managing Editor Dr Katelyn Barney (UQ) (pictured left with Professor Tracey Bunda) officially launched the Australian Journal of Indigenous Education (AJIE) as an open access publication, with its first volume on a new website.

Editors Professor Bronwyn Fredericks (UQ), Professor Martin Nakata (JCU) and Managing Editor Dr Katelyn Barney (UQ) (pictured left with Professor Tracey Bunda) officially launched the Australian Journal of Indigenous Education (AJIE) as an open access publication, with its first volume on a new website.

Miah Hickman, a young woman, smiling while standing in front of greenery at UQ St Lucia

Miah Hickman

Miah Hickman

“The support from the ATSISU has been incredible. I signed up for both the referencing workshop and ITAR tutoring support, and was assigned a tutor who is a practicing pharmacist, so she is really well-placed to help me with my studies.

I feel really confident and excited about my years ahead here at UQ.”
Miah Hickman (Doctor of Medicine)

Talented alumni

Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

And let's not forget about our alumni achievements…

Megan Davis, a woman with light brown hair, standing on a city street in front of brown brick buildings and smiling

Megan Davis

Megan Davis

Constitutional lawyer, UQ alum, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Indigenous UNSW, Cobble Cobble woman Professor Megan Davis, read the Uluru Statement at the UQ Law Graduation, where she was presented with an Honorary Doctorate for contributions in law, human rights and constitutional reform.

Dr Kev Carmody was awarded a 2022 UQ Honorary Doctorate.

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Dr Kev Carmody, and Professor Tracey Bunda huddled for a photo wearing academic robes

(L-R) Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Dr Kev Carmody, and Professor Tracey Bunda

(L-R) Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Dr Kev Carmody, and Professor Tracey Bunda

UQ alum Kev Carmody, a Bundjalung/Lama Lama man and famed singer/songwriter, is celebrated in Queensland and across Australia for his contributions to the arts and to social justice.

UQ Alum Cameron Costello was appointed to the Queensland Government First Nations Consultative Committee.

Congratulations to Badtjala woman, artist and scholar Dr Fiona Foley, who received a UQ Honorary Doctor of Letters at the HASS Faculty Graduation, followed by a dinner in her honour.

Congratulations to UQ Alumni Award Winners:

Isabella Higgins, a young woman wearing a forest green dress, smiling with her hands clasped in front of her

Isabella Higgins

Isabella Higgins

Isabella Higgins – winner of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award 2022 for excellence in the field of journalism.

A headshot of Will Davis, a middle-aged man, standing in front of banner with an illustration of an eagle and text reading 'Jinndi Mibunn'

Will Davis

Will Davis

Will Davis – winner of the Indigenous Community Impact Award for outstanding contributions as a community leader, celebrating Murri identity and advocating for equality for Indigenous peoples.

A headshot of Georgia Birks, a young woman wearing all black, smiling widely with her arms crossed.

Georgia Birks

Georgia Birks

Georgia Birks – winner of the Indigenous Community Impact Award for advocacy for architecture that welcomes people of all cultural backgrounds.

Community outreach

Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

We maintained strong ties with our mob through strong community outreach.

NAISA

The Story Bridge over the Brisbane River with a purple border at the top and bottom. Text reading 'NAISA Conference 2022 Regional Gathering, Brisbane' is above the bridge.

We hosted the annual Native American Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) Conference 2022 – Regional Gathering Brisbane in May, with the theme Indigenous Futures and Sustaining Liveliness.

Group shot of NAISA attendees, who travelled from all over the world to gather at Customs House.

Group shot of NAISA attendees, who travelled from all over the world to gather at Customs House.

Group shot of NAISA attendees, who travelled from all over the world to gather at Customs House.

NAISA is the largest scholarly organisation devoted to Critical Indigenous Studies. The event was led by NAISA President Professor Brendan Hokowhitu and President-elect Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson.

Giving Day

With Giving Day donations from over 113 donors, we raised more than $60,000 to fund Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarships for the future.

A number of these donations were generously matched by Dr Don Hamson, a great supporter of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarships at UQ. Thank you Don!

And thank you to all donors who contributed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success in 2022. Your gifts make a difference every day and every week in students’ lives, giving them the confidence and the support they need to achieve.

Keeping in touch

We kept our different audiences up to date using:

  • The Yarning e-newsletter
  • The Deadly Post employment e-newsletter
  • Alumni and ATSIS Unit social media channels 
  • The ATSIS Unit Weekly Bulletin e-newsletter.

WIPCE

Text reading World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2022 on an orange background. Indigenous Australian artwork is above the text.

WIPCE logo

WIPCE logo

We attended the World Indigenous People's Conference on Education (WIPCE) on Kaurna country in Adelaide, joining First Nations educators, academics and professionals from all over the world.

An audience at a conference. A large sign reading 'Yellaka: Old Wisdom, New Ways' is behind the presenters on the stage at the front of the audience.

Auditorium with Yellaka on the screen, and the words Old Wisdom New Ways

Auditorium with Yellaka on the screen, and the words Old Wisdom New Ways

More than 2000 people gathered to discuss sovereignty and the importance of preserving Indigenous knowledges. The 5 day event featured a keynote presentation from Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson and a session by PhD candidate Ren Perkins.

Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson presenting at a lectern

Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson presents at WIPCE

Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson presents at WIPCE

Kev Carmody House

Kev Carmody standing with his hands behind his back and smiling in front of a tall residential building and a small house with a glass wall. In a second image, Kev is smiling while leaning against a wall.

Dr Kev Carmody

Dr Kev Carmody

Famed Indigenous singer songwriter and UQ alum, Dr Kev Carmody, attended the launch of Kev Carmody House, the new UQ student residence named in his honour.

Dr Carmody studied a Graduate Diploma of Education, graduating with flying colours in 1981, then continuing on with Honours, before starting his PhD in History. This marks the first time the University has named a building in honour of an Indigenous person.

Indigenous Australian artwork centred around a purple jacaranda tree. The Brisbane River, a child patting a cangaroo, and an older man are also depicted in the artwork.

'A Guidance Through Time' created by Quandamooka artists, Casey Coolwell and Kyra Mancktelow

'A Guidance Through Time' created by Quandamooka artists, Casey Coolwell and Kyra Mancktelow

Reconciliation

Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

2022 saw some exciting Reconciliation initiatives and events across the UQ community.

The big news…

UQ received Reconciliation Australia approval to progress from an Innovate RAP to a Stretch RAP!

The Reconciliation Action Plan Stretch logo, consisting of a rainbow-shaped arch outlined in red and black text

Notable events throughout the year:

  • Six book swaps to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation 
  • The Uluru Statement from the Heart – 4 Year Anniversary Walk
  • National Reconciliation Week events – Be Brave. Make Change.
  • The Deadly Noize music concert
Budjerah, an Indigenous musician, holding a microphone while performing on a stage

Budjerah performs at the Deadly Noize music concert

Budjerah performs at the Deadly Noize music concert

  • The Bush Foods BLOOM Lunch – with the chef behind FIGJAM discussing his use of native plants in cooking
  • UQ NAIDOC Festival – Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
  • BlackWords Book Clubs, featuring Dr Jackie Huggins (Sister Girl), Maree McCarthy Yoleu (Brother Moon) and Brooke Blurton (Big Love)
  • The Blak Market, featuring a panel discussion about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and a range of Indigenous-owned market stalls
    • Three people standing in front of a sign with the University of Queensland logo and colourful Indigenous artwork inspired by the Brisbane River

    Blak Market panel L–R: Dr Dylan Lino, Associate Professor Sandra Phillips and Eddie Synot

    Blak Market panel L–R: Dr Dylan Lino, Associate Professor Sandra Phillips and Eddie Synot

    And one of our BIGGEST

    reasons to celebrate in 2022…

    Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

    UQ was awarded the first-ever Indigenous-led Centre of Excellence!

    A group of 6 people wearing business attire in front of a piece of Indigenous Australian artwork

    The ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures will transform and improve the life chances of Indigenous Australians by utilising Indigenous knowledges to enhance our understanding of the complex nature of Indigenous intergenerational inequity.  

    Congratulations to Centre Director, Professor Brendan Hokowhitu, and the CoE leadership team: Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson, Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, and Professor James Ward.

    Other noteworthy projects

    Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

    UQ was privileged to host Professor Martin Nakata, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Indigenous Education at James Cook University, who presented on an innovative approach to Indigenous student success.

    2022 saw the launch of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Design Principles – a visionary long-term project that will embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design values on University of Queensland campuses, reshaping them over time to better recognise and celebrate Indigenous connections.

    We were honoured to be visited by Dr Jacqueline Ottman, President of the First Nations University of Canada.

    Professor Bronwyn Fredericks appeared on the ABC panel program Q&A in April, on an episode called "Live from Gladstone" to discuss issues important to regional Australia.

    Professor Anita Heiss AM published her Growing up Wiradjuri anthology and Koori Princess novel.

    Kalkadungu man and world-renowned didgeridoo player, composer, pianist and singer William Barton was announced as UQ School of Music's 2022 Kinnane Musician in Residence.

    The Yatdjuligin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery Care book, co-edited by UQ Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and USQ Professor Odette Best was judged the Australian Book Designers’ Association Best Designed Educational Tertiary Book, and was also the 2022 WINNER of the Educational Publishing Awards Australia category of 'Tertiary Teaching & Learning Resource – Print (Wholly Australian)

    Professor Tracey Bunda, Chair of the Indigenising Curriculum Working Party at UQ, delivered UQ’s School of Education Carolyn D. Baker Annual Memorial Lecture titled 'Indigenising Curriculum: What's it all about?'

    ATSISU Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr r e a Saunders attended the 2022 Venice Biennale in April as a participant in aabaakwad (it clears after a storm) – a unique annual Indigenous-led conversation on Indigenous art by those who create, curate and write about it.

    Uluru at sunset on a clear night

    Photo by Ondrej Machart on Unsplash

    Photo by Ondrej Machart on Unsplash

    Research projects

    Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

    A huge number of cutting-edge research projects have been conducted with Indigenous people and communities.

    Professor Bronwyn Fredericks progressed a major NHMRC project aimed at Giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children the best start in life by improving healthy food affordability and food security in remote Australia.

    Professor Bronwyn Fredericks

    Professor Tracey Bunda explored Indigenous Pedagogical Practice through her Hymba Yumba Independent School project.

    Professor Fredericks advanced her NHMRC project exploring Indigenous engagement and leadership in the evaluation of Indigenous health and wellbeing programs: Taking steps to improve government and non-government commissioning practices.

    She also co-published a 'Burden of the Beast' article on Countering Conspiracies and Misinformation within Indigenous Communities in Australia.

    Bronwyn was also one of 3 UQ academics elected as Fellows of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) in recognition of their contributions to Australian society.

    Professor Bunda also worked on Indigenous Women navigating the Change of Life, evaluated a Torres Strait Marine Safety Program, and led a team publication of an Introduction to the Language of Relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Guide.

    Professor Tracey Bunda

    Professor Anita Heiss AM jetted off to Paris for her Cité internationale des arts writing residency funded by the Australia Council for the Arts.

    She is also working on her Dirrayawadha historical novel, Bidhi Galing children’s picture book, Rodeo Dreaming commercial women’s fiction and Binung Ma Na Du cultural stories and living histories on Wakka Wakka Country.

    The Kaumātua Mana Motuhake Project – aiming to address the identity-autonomy of older Māori – is led by Professor Brendan Hokowhitu who also co-published a major journal article on Indigenous Biopolitics and Health.

    Professor Stephanie Gilbert progressed her Winanga-li: Indigenous worldviews incorporated into m-health approaches for Indigenous women and children project.

    She also advanced her Mums and Bubs Deadly Diets Reciprocity project and documents the National Impact of the Tubba-Gah Wiradjuri and Talbragar peoples.

    Dr Katelyn Barney published her NCSEHE Equity Fellowship Final Report on Building a Stronger Evidence Base to Support Effective Outreach Strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students: Increasing Impact and University Participation.

    She also produced a Sharing languages through contemporary song in the third space case study of intercultural collaboration between Indigenous Australian, Polynesian, and Melanesian women.

    Dr Barney joined Associate Professor Stephanie Gilbert and Dr r e a Saunders to work on Improving student engagement to enrich students' experiences studying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

    Professor Brendan Hokowhitu, Professor James Ward, Dr Shea Spierings and Dr Mitchell Rom presented on Leading Healthy Indigenous Lives: Analysing the School to Prison to Hospital Pipeline.

    Research and Innovation Week 2022

    Other Indigenous researchers at UQ also had a big year…

    Professor James Ward from UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health has received $2.5 million to establish the Centre of Research Excellence in Urban Indigenous Health.

    Anthropology Museum Director Michael Aird travelled to London to accept the 2022 Photographic Studies Award from the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. This award is given annually to someone who has made a lasting and significant contribution to the field of anthropology and photography.

    A multi-disciplinary team of UQ researchers investigated the link between housing, crowding and infectious diseases in remote Indigenous communities.

    Young Indigenous people in Mt Isa will be taught about the mental health benefits of a good night’s sleep as part of a program developed by UQ's Institute for Social Science Research.

    And UQ Poche is involved in a new Research Alliance for Urban Goori Health.

    Image: Caro Telfer / Austockphoto

    A headshot of Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, a woman with short light brown hair wearing a bright pink jacket and a large heart-shaped necklace, standing in front of greenery

    Professor Bronwyn Fredericks

    Professor Bronwyn Fredericks

    A headshot of Professor Tracey Bunda, a woman with dark grey hair, standing in front of a piece of Indigenous artwork

    Professor Tracey Bunda

    Professor Tracey Bunda

    A panel of 4 men answering questions for an audience. A screen reading 'Research and Innovation Week 2022' is behind the men.

    Research and Innovation Week 2022

    Research and Innovation Week 2022

    An Indigenous mother holding and kissing her baby in front of a house

    Image: Caro Telfer / Austockphoto

    Image: Caro Telfer / Austockphoto

    Indigenous Employment

    Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

    There were currently more than 220 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed across UQ in fixed term, continuing and casual positions in 2022.

    To bolster the Indigenous Employment team, we welcomed Jane Kilroy as the Principal Adviser, Indigenous Employment.

    Areas of focus

    • A comprehensive review of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Program.
    • A new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy.
    • Ensuring UQ systems facilitate a positive experience across all aspects of employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
    • Review and update policies, procedures, and guidelines where appropriate for Indigenous staff.
    • Enhance networking and connection for Indigenous staff.

    Delivered      

    • UQ HR system that enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to manage personal information regarding their Indigeneity.
    • Policies, procedures and guidelines are now clearer and more easily understood.
    • Information sharing and promotion of Identified positions via the Deadly Post e-newsletter.
    • Expression of Interest job advertisement portal specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

    By the numbers

    • At the time of reporting, the number of staff identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in Academic and Professional roles (fixed-term and continuing) was 49 and 102 respectively.
    • The Enterprise Agreement goal has an aspirational target of 3 per cent of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employment across the University in fixed-term and continuing positions.
    • Currently, the figure for Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander staff in these positions across the university is 1.78 per cent.
    A white computer keyboard, a gold pen, a cup of black coffee and two cherries resting on a white desk

    Photo by Leone Venter on Unsplash

    Photo by Leone Venter on Unsplash

    New staff

    A headshot of Nicole Rawson-Harris, a woman with blonde hair wearing a medium-blue dress and a tan belt

    Nicole Rawson-Harris

    Nicole Rawson-Harris

    A headshot of Jane Kilroy, a woman with dark hair, wearing a light blue button-up shirt

    Jane Kilroy

    Jane Kilroy

    A headshot of Vennetia Tzanis, a woman with dark hair with blonde highlights, wearing a light dusty blue shirt

    Vennetia Tzanis

    Vennetia Tzanis

    A headshot of Megan Gaynor, a woman with short dark hair wearing a lilac shirt and green necklace

    Megan Gaynor

    Megan Gaynor

    We welcomed many new faces:

    A headshot of Bronwyn Wolski, a woman with dark hair wearing a bright red-orange shirt

    Bronwyn Wolski

    Bronwyn Wolski

    A headshot of Kieren Marr, a man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a blue checkered long-sleeved shirt

    Kieren Marr

    Kieren Marr

    A headshot of Kim Lees, a woman with reddish-brown hair wearing a vibrant aqua-coloured shirt

    Kim Lees

    Kim Lees

    A headshot of Lisa Oliver, a woman with dark hair wearing a floral green shirt

    Lisa Oliver

    Lisa Oliver

    Dr Ella Ceolin speaking at a lectern while wearing an Aboriginal sash over her shoulders

    Dr Ella Ceolin

    Dr Ella Ceolin

    “I felt really supported by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit and the Rural Medical School throughout my degree.

    I would encourage any students considering studying Medicine at UQ to go for it! The time will pass anyway, so why not follow your passion, and you could be attending your own Sashing Ceremony in 4 years.”
    Dr Ella Ceolin (Doctor of Medicine Graduate, 2022)

    Graduations and events

    Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River

    We were proud to celebrate our graduating Indigenous students at 2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sashing Ceremonies – a formal presentation of a sash in cultural colours to our Indigenous graduands for them to wear at their graduation ceremony.

    A group of 17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students wearing sashes over their shoulders while standing in rows on the steps of an old sandstone building

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sashing Ceremony 2022

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sashing Ceremony 2022

    We also applauded the work of our Smart Fast Deadly Indigenous post graduate research students at the inaugural Indigenous 3MT competition.

    A group of 13 people standing in two rows in front of a light wood wall and the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian flags

    3MT competitors with organisers Mary Waria (far left) and Associate Professor Stephanie Gilbert (far right).

    3MT competitors with organisers Mary Waria (far left) and Associate Professor Stephanie Gilbert (far right).

    Purple Indigenous Australian artwork with curved shapes inspired by the Brisbane River
    A team of 20 people standing in rows on the front steps of a sandstone building

    The Indigenous Engagement team

    The Indigenous Engagement team

    A team of 20 people standing in rows on the front steps of a sandstone building
    A team of 20 people standing in rows on the front steps of a sandstone building

    Overall…

    We nurtured incredible outcomes for Indigenous students, re-engaged with our peers in Indigenous education across Australia and the world, and celebrated some truly ground-breaking achievements that will leave a lasting legacy at UQ.

    2023 holds the promise of building on these triumphs for our students, staff and community, and facilitating more ways for us to shine a light on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence.
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