The full-day workshop saw attendees from the faculty treated to insights from Dharug Country Elder Uncle Chris Tobin and Wiradjuri woman Renee Cawthorne, a Macquarie alumni who is Project Manager of the Aboriginal Strategy and Programs at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Uncle Chris spoke vividly of his relationship to Country and encouraged the attendees to acknowledge respectfully the Dharug people as the traditional owners of Wallumattagal land when teaching or hosting events on campus. Renee shared outcomes from her own MRes research on Indigenous content inclusion in Australian university curricula and spoke about how to build long-term relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collaborators in teaching and research.

Participants had the rare opportunity to hear from four Macquarie students – Tahnee Bentley and William Frazer, both Indigenous, Mia Ferguson and Belinda Araghi. They spoke frankly about how they have experienced Mudang Dali at Macquarie, and why greater representation of Indigenous content and ways of learning, knowing, being and seeing is important to them and their peers.

The workshop was immeasurably enriched by the feedback and context provided throughout the day by Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy) Dr Leanne Holt and Academic Director, Indigenous Learning and Teaching, Dr Joe Perry.

The workshop ended with a fun, hands-on demonstration of Mudang Dali curriculum content previously developed and taught by Associate Professor Joanne Jamie and Dr Fleur Ponton. Participants used New South Wales Aboriginal customary medicinal plants from the Natural Sciences ‘bush tucker’ garden and learned how a simple antioxidant assay can be performed using plant extract and Betadine.

“Overall, there is a sense that the work being done at the School of Natural Sciences in embedding the Indigenous connected curriculum in our courses is heading in the right direction,” explains Jamie.

“However, many of us are still hesitant for fear of making mistakes. The consensus that emerged from this workshop is that nobody should fear mistakes. What matters most is respectful engagement and meaningful steps toward Mudang Dali.”

The workshop formed part of a greater initiative by Jamie, as well as Professor Alison Rodger and Professor Anwar Sunna from the School of Natural Sciences, to promote Mudang Dali in natural science undergraduate teaching, and the Master of Biotechnology and Master of Research programs. The faculty supported this initiative through a strategic learning and teaching grant that allowed ARC Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia’s Bioactives (FAAB) Centre Manager Dr Frank Stadler to explore barriers and opportunities for Mudang Dali, and to organise this workshop. It was also supported in part by funding from an Indigenous Learning and Teaching grant provided by the Office of the PVC (Indigenous Strategy).

If you are looking for ways to embed Indigenous content in units and courses, this article has some fantastic advice and practical examples from across the University.

In the spirit of Macquarie University’s unwavering commitment to reconciliation, Dr Leanne Holt, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy) reflects on the important role we play – both as individuals and as an institution – in advocating for an inclusive and respectful Australia that is mindful of the cultures, traditions and histories of the people and the lands on which our great University resides.

For Australia’s First People, 26 January represents the deep loss of Country, freedom, culture and lives experienced by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the inter-generational trauma that continues to echo from the time of European colonisation. This history and its reverberations are particularly apposite for the Dharug peoples, on whose lands our Wallumattagal Campus is located, as they were among the first to be impacted by the arrival of the First Fleet.

The tragic events that the landing of the First Fleet foreshadowed frame debate about 26 January. In 1938, Aboriginal protesters declared 26 January a Day of Mourning and used the opportunity to call for access to education, citizenship and better conditions. In 1972, four Aboriginal men led a protest outside Parliament that started with the installation of a single beach umbrella and evolved into the Tent Embassy that remains today. In 1988, while settler Australia was celebrating 200 years of colonisation, Aboriginal people declared the day ‘Invasion Day’. To mark the occasion, more than 200 people marched over Sydney’s Harbour Bridge to educate the broader community on what the day means to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, leading to both national and international media attention. More recently, there has been a strong call to change the date of Australia Day so that it represents an inclusive history for all. Yet, while this campaign has received significant support from individuals and industries, and continues to grow each year, racist attacks aimed at First Nations peoples continue.

As a university we have a responsibility to educate our communities and to stand up to racism and hate. In this spirit, Walanga Muru and the Department of Indigenous Studies will hold events throughout the year that you are welcome to attend. We encourage you to attend these and other Aboriginal-led events to develop your understanding; reflect on the lands on which we live and work, and how for thousands of years Aboriginal people have sustained that land through unique knowledges passed down through generations; read about the histories of Aboriginal peoples and the meaning of 26 January to understand why Aboriginal peoples continue to advocate for a different date; and share your education with others to express how proud we are to live in a country that has the oldest living culture in the world. Registration for Manawari Cultural Safety Training will also open again in February.

You can learn more about Macquarie University’s commitment to Indigenous Australians here.

Dharug dhalang – the Aboriginal language from the land on which Macquarie University stands – is becoming more commonplace around campus. Aside from programs and physical location names, how can we all contribute to keeping this local language and culture alive?

To celebrate this special edition, and to help us learn a little more about something we can all easily embrace, This Week teamed up with Walanga Muru to delve a little deeper into Dharug dhalang and perhaps a simple solution to awakening and keeping local language alive.

It’s estimated that there are more than 250 Aboriginal languages in Australia, with approximately 120 currently in use today. While many are at risk of being ‘lost’ forever, Taylah Pearce, Team Leader of Student Engagement at Walangu Muru, likes to look at this in a more positive light – that they are not lost, instead they are sleeping and need reawakening.

Taylah is encouraging Macquarie staff to take a more active role in reigniting Aboriginal language, especially Dharug. It might be something as simple as embracing a few words and phrases from Dharug dhalang and using them in your email greetings, or teaching them to your children so as to pass on the language and increase its collective value to our community.

One barrier might be that people from non-Indigenous backgrounds might view language use as cultural appropriation, that it’s not ‘theirs’ to use. Not so says Taylah, who would be thrilled to see everyone open to learning more about our rich history. With Dharug land stretching in all directions to encompass much of greater Sydney, it’s a good reason to embrace just one small part of the local Aboriginal culture.

“Feel free to utilise words like ‘Warami’ (war-a-me) and ‘Yanu’ (yarn-oo) in your everyday language,” says Taylah. “Take your learnings and these words and teach your family and friends.”

But it doesn’t stop with ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’. See the list below for some deadly phrases that Taylah says we can all adopt.

Another reason Aboriginal languages are not more commonplace is the fact they are primarily oral and not written. This means that there are many spelling and grammar variances, and the recording of these has mostly been completed by European linguists and therefore is prone to English understandings. For example, ‘bumarang’ in Dharug is more commonly written down and understood as ‘boomerang’. Different written recordings of words mean that they are more easily ‘lost’, or simply misunderstood.

Taylah says that consulting with Aboriginal community about language and all other Aboriginal concepts is key to making sure that when it is written down – such as the selection of ‘Wallumattagal’ for the campus name – we get the breakdown of the spelling correct.

Wallu – refers to the black snapper fish (the local totem)
Matta – refers to ‘place of’
Gal – refers to ‘people of’

While it’s just the beginning, Taylah is excited to see Dharug dhalang utilised and showcased around Wallumattagal campus. It’s an excitement that she is thrilled to also see reflected in others.

“It takes a community and a long journey to revitalise a language and I am so privileged to be a part of Macquarie’s steps in this process and to see my mother language being embraced and celebrated on campus,” says Taylah.

Some deadly Dharug dhalang to learn

• Warami – hello/ where are you from? (war-a-me)
• Yanu – goodbye (yarn-oo)
• Nigiyini budyari – are you good? (near-ngi bood-jar-ri)
• Budyari nawunya – good to see you (bood-jar-ri na-woon-ya)
• Yuwin – yes (yoo-win)
• Biyal – no (bye-yal)
• Budyari – good (bood-jar-ri)
• Mittigar – friend (mitt-ee-gar)
• Yura – people (you-ra)
• Darrabarra – day (durra-burra)
• Didgerigura – thank you  (didge-er-re-goor)
• Walanga Muru – follow your path (wa-lang-gar moo-roo)

Counting:

• Wagul – 1
• Bulla – 2
• Bulla wagul – 3
• Bulla bulla – 4
• Dhamara – 5

And so on… did you pick up the pattern?

Phrases you would have noticed in the NAIDOC-themed EDM

(getting a bit more complicated and creative in the translation)

• Bumarang Darrabarra – This Week (using the boomerang to represent 7, and word for day)
• Marri bayala – More news (more/big conversations)
• Gulya guri-budyari – Need to know (gulya – request, guri-budyari – ‘ear good’ or ‘intelligence’)
• Mii yagu – What’s on (what’s now/today)
• Macquarie bayala – Macquarie in the Media (Macquarie conversations)

Want to learn more? Check out this online Dharug dhalang dictionary and expand your Aboriginal lexicon and help keep the language flame alive.

At Macquarie we have much to celebrate and look forward to. Since we launched our ten-year Indigenous Strategy in 2016, the University has worked beside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to advance outcomes through higher education.

This deepened commitment saw us last year launch the Centre for Indigenous Global Futures to forge respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities locally, nationally and internationally, as well as non-Indigenous scholars and industry. The Centre is committed to continuing to build world-leading collaborative research capacity that is Indigenous-led and sustainable.

In April the University Council voted to adopt a new name for our main campus. Every time we say Wallumattagal Campus we will be reminded of the traditional name of the country on which the University has been built. This is a significant move and one that demonstrates respect for Aboriginal people. People whose long history and contributions to this land have, and continue to, sustain our environments, education and culture.

The recent change of government has reignited a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and a commitment to the Statement from the Heart that defines three priorities, voice, truth and treaty. In the next few years, we will have the opportunity to contribute to what will be significant moments in Australian history.

Aboriginal peoples have the oldest living culture in the world, thousands of years of knowledges that have survived the harshest environments. The sharing of cultures and knowledges makes us richer. We can learn so much from each other, however we need to continue to create a space in Australia where we reject racism and where we forge respectful, reciprocal relationships. We are privileged to work and study in a university committed to Indigenous higher education and social justice and we have the opportunity to make a real difference.

How will you contribute to our University’s legacy? How will you ‘Get up! Stand Up! Show Up!’?

Dr Leanne Holt
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy)

Include an Acknowledgement of Country in your email signature

On the occasion of NAIDOC Week we encourage all Macquarie staff to include an updated Acknowledgement of Country in your email signature:

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Macquarie University stands – the Wallumattagal clan of the Dharug nation – whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land since time immemorial. I pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Here’s the artwork (below) and here’s how to do it.

Desktop Outlook Instructions

1. Choose File (top left) when in homepage of your email. This will open to a page called Account Information
2. Choose Options (left hand side)
3. Choose Mail
4. Choose create or modify signatures – click on signatures tab
5. Change content of signature in panel, add in NAIDOC week banner (copy and paste the image) at very end of your existing signature and press OK
6. Send email to yourself to test

Web-based Outlook instructions

1. Locate the settings ‘cog’ in the top left of the ribbon bar
2. Search ‘Email signature’ and click to open
3. Change content of signature in panel, add in NAIDOC week banner (copy and paste the image) at very end of your existing signature and close window
4. Send email to yourself to test

Taylah is a proud Dharug woman from the Buruberongal language group and the Aboriginal Student Engagement Team Leader at Walanga Muru.

She has been employed at Macquarie for six years in a number of roles that have combined her interests in Aboriginal education, Dharug dhalang (language) and marketing.

Taylah grew up on Darkinjung Country on the Central Coast. Before her journey brought her to Macquarie, she completed a Bachelor of Business (majoring in Marketing and Management) in 2016 and she has recently obtained her Master of Business Administration, specialising in Marketing.

Here at Macquarie, Taylah works in a passionate team that engages with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, both current and prospective, as well as University-wide to embed Dharug culture, language and stories across campus. In practical terms this sees Taylah involved with providing expertise to campus signage and building naming across campus, designing artwork in new buildings and providing Dharug-specific information, stories and experiences in our Manawari Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training debrief sessions.

Taylah also runs engagement activities, events and programs for current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students including tutoring, cultural workshops, and a weekly community lunch on the Jannawi pavilion outside the Walanga Muru offices. The pavilion is named Jannawi (the ‘J’ is pronounced as a ‘Y’) which means ‘for me, for you’ in Dharug dhalang.

1. Something you’d like staff to know about
I would love everyone to know more about Walanga Muru. We’re not only the student centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but also the office that facilitates all the University activities set out in the Macquarie University Indigenous Strategy 2016-2025. If you haven’t seen this strategy document, I encourage all staff to have a look and find out more about what we’re about and what we’re trying to achieve.

Our offices are located on campus at 6 First Walk and we welcome visitors any time! Or reach out at walangamuruadmin@mq.edu.au if you’d like to know more ­or connect.

2. Something you feel proud of
Being the first in my family to not only finish high school but then also go to university.

3. A person you admire at Macquarie, and why
I think Dr Leanne Holt is pretty deadly. She is the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and has unlocked many opportunities for me, empowering me to be a strong Aboriginal woman leader. I will be forever grateful.

4. What you need to do your best work
It is really important to me to have Aboriginal culture, concepts and inclusiveness embedded in my work, so it is consistent across my personal and professional life.

5. Something people usually ask you when they find out what you do for living
Everyone says ‘Oh that must be such a rewarding job’ – and they aren’t wrong.

6. The first person you go to for advice (and why)
My mum – from anything about what degrees to set the oven when cooking, to what house I should buy  – mum is my go-to.

7. A website or app you can’t live without (and why)
Walking Darug Country is an awesome app, free to download and relevant to Macquarie University. Check out this TECHE article published about it a few years ago (but still relevant!). Links to download the app for iPhone and Android are included at end of the article.

8. Where you live and what you like about living there
I live on the Central Coast and love it; I love being close to beaches and family.

9. A personal quality you value in others
Respect. I think everything is bound by respect and it is the foundation to all aspects of life including relationships, friendships and trust.

10. I’m happiest when…
I am with my partner, friends and family.

Circles of the Sun
The background artwork to the feature image above is Circles of the Sun, created by Dharug woman and Macquarie University alumni, Professor Liz Cameron. The artwork is a representation of warmth and healing within Dharug Country. The sun rising illustrates a new day to our cyclic seasonal calendar, its rays of light reflecting on the eucalyptus trees over the water, which brings about a cascade of oils that reflect many colours of the rainbow.

The proposed name change is built upon mutually respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and is one of a number of significant measures being undertaken by the University as part of its 10-year Indigenous Strategy launched in 2017. Under this Strategy, Macquarie has employed more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in teaching and research positions and welcomed more First Nations students.

The proposal for a campus name change came from the Namesake Working Group formed at the Vice-Chancellor’s request and chaired by Pro Vice-Chancellor for Indigenous Strategy, Dr Leanne Holt. Membership of the Working Group was drawn from interested Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal academic and professional staff across the University and representatives of the local Dharug community.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to make a unique and lasting contribution to the identity of this land. Adopting Wallumattagal as a campus place name, acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Macquarie University lands, connecting its ancient history through to the beautiful contemporary campus,” says Dr Holt, a Worimi/Biripi woman.

“All around Australia the names of geographical locations/features, buildings, roads, waterways and other entities serve as reminders of the past,” said Dr Holt.

“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, this can highlight the impacts of colonisation. In many instances these names reference acts of violence, displacement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and offensive racial terms.”

“Re-naming the campus provides us with the opportunity to tell a true history,” Dr Holt said.

Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, said this is an opportunity to change the narrative, recognising historical and contemporary impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Macquarie University acknowledges and honours the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia as the nation’s first people and recognises that, as the traditional custodians and occupants of the land, they have a spiritual, social, cultural and economic relationship with their traditional lands and waters,” says Professor Dowton.

Dr Holt describes adopting the Wallumattagal name as a pinnacle time in Macquarie University’s evolution, recognising our First People’s contribution as custodians who have sustained our local environments, education and culture for thousands of years.

“As an educational institution we have the opportunity to embrace the world’s oldest living culture,” she says.

The Vice-Chancellor says University Council and the University’s Executive Group have supported the proposal for consultation with stakeholders and the University community.

“A greater integration between place-naming and Indigenous culture and languages can help us all to better connect to the beautiful land on which our University is situated. I look forward to your feedback.”

Contribute to the conversation via walangamuruadmin@mq.edu.au before 31 March 2022.

The theme of this year’s National Reconciliation Week, ‘In this together’, could not be more important and pertinent in 2020. For the University, Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June) marks an opportunity to celebrate the collaboration and connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students, including a recent initiative between Campus Life and Walanga Muru staff.

Led by the Sport Development team, Campus Life began a project with Walanga Muru to further understand the culture of the custodians of the land on which our campus stands and how the multiple programs, services and facilities they operate could acknowledge the Wattamattagal Clan of the Darug Nation.

“When our students represent Macquarie at national and international sporting events, both students and staff wanted to ensure we were truly representing the culture and togetherness of our community,” says Sophie Curtis, Manager, Sport Development and Partnerships.

Guided by Taylah Pearce, who is the Walanga Muru Pathways and Engagement Coordinator and a Darug woman from the Buruberongal language group, and with the blessing of Dr Leanne Holt, Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous Strategy, Campus Life was gifted the use of the Burrumering, a guardian spirit for Darug peoples, as well as for many other Indigenous clans up and down the East coast.

“The Darug Nation has a number of spirits that represent and reinforce the cultural values of the Darug Nation,” explains Uncle Bob Webb, Darug Elder. “The Eagle – Burrumering (pronounced burra-mer-ring) is one of the most significant Darug Nation spirits.

“Burrumering represents leadership, strength, wisdom and protection for the Darug Nation. Burrumering can soar high above, navigate the cultural landscapes and waters, and is a creative hunter, gatherer and provider for the Darug people. Burrumering has great wisdom and continues to watch over the Darug people to ensure their safety.”

Dr Holt –  who was recently awarded the 2020 CEW Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation Scholarship for educational leadership – says this is a great example of the power of collaboration.

“Working with Campus Life on this initiative and several other projects showcases the wonderful achievements and outcomes of collaboration and creating authentic relationships with Walanaga Muru and the broader Aboriginal communities, which is the aim of the Indigenous strategy,” she says.

Working together with Taylah Pearce, Campus Life engaged Lara Went of Yukul Art to create an image and artwork of the Burrumering. Hailing from Forster NSW, Worimi country, Lara began Yukul Art in 2014 and draws inspiration from Worimi country, her family, the ocean, caring for nature and mother earth.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of this project, working with Sophie as well as the wider Campus Life team has been a real pleasure,” says Taylah.

“It is so heartwarming to see and feel the strong relationship between us, one that is built on mutual respect and understanding. This relationship clearly demonstrates that we are ‘In this together’ and their team’s strong commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Reflecting on the artwork of the Burrumering that has been created it truly reflects the cultural values of protection and support and will be a trailblazing feature of Campus Life’s new branding and image.”

Campus Life will now incorporate the artwork and design of the Burrumering into their representative sport team uniforms and staff uniforms, and will feature the image across their facilities on campus. The initiative will also see the end of the use of the MacWarrior logo, formerly used by Campus Life in conjunction with sport and recreation programs and facilities on campus, as they take greater steps to ensure they’re creating an inclusive and safe environment reflective of the diverse student, staff and broader community presence at Macquarie.

In addition to launching the Burrumering, Campus Life staff and management have been undertaking ‘Manawari’ training, the Aboriginal and Cultural Awareness training led by Phil Duncan, Aboriginal and Cultural training Coordinator. Together with Phil, Campus Life developed their Aboriginal Cultural Safety and Engagement department plan, which in partnership with the staff and teams of Walanga Muru aims to develop deep and genuine relationships, furthering opportunities and innovative outreach that will build Indigenous capacity on campus and in the future.

As well as the Manawari training, a Baduwa Aboriginal Foundations module will be available for the Macquarie student community from July in a joint initiative between Student Life and Walanga Muru.

Pete Boyle, Head of U@MQ, says they are focused on creating environments that are safe, inclusive and fun.

“Our commitment to Manawari training, as well as Ally training and RNA training, signals our intention to always try to do the right thing for students, staff and the broader community. I hope our success in increasing knowledge in these areas serves as an example of what can be achieved across our wider Campus.”

1. In a nutshell, my job is to…
Assist in the implementation of Indigenous Connected Curriculum across all of Macquarie’s faculties which include Indigenous knowledges and perspectives. The other is a jack of all trades to the annoyance of others where possible.

2. My definition of success is…
Most of the time breathing without a respirator isn’t too bad at the moment. Achieving small goals on a daily basis is really rewarding, but Indigenous success in education is what it’s about for me.

3. A person at Macquarie who inspires me is…
There isn’t one person who inspires me, it’s people who are passionate about their work and study. Seeing confidence develop and personal growth is always inspirational in education.

4. This year I want to…
Mainly just complete a number of tasks in my position and assist Walanga Muru in its evolution. Enjoy more time with my family/friends and see the mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs win another premiership.

5. The scariest thing I’ve ever done is…
I had just started out as an Academic and a colleague asked me to do a guest lecture for History 101. It was my first lecture and when I turned up to the theatre there were 550 students. Let’s just say, it was more than a little scary.

6. As a kid, I was…
An idiot like most young boys. Now that I have almost grown up, I am still an idiot just a bit smarter. I lived on the Karuah River, so it was a good place for Koori kids to have fun without getting into too much trouble.

7. My guilty pleasure is…
Probably having a few beers at times. Taking the mickey out of people. Sledging others playing golf. No, that’s not guilt, just pleasure for me.

9. The most important thing I’ve learned in the last five years is…
That I am five years older and none the wiser. That life is great and meant to be enjoyed. It’s the only one we get so make the most of it.

10. I’m happiest when…
I am laughing in good company over a beverage or two, or whatever makes me smile.

“In Year 11, I stood in the Deputy Principal’s office as he told me that school wasn’t for me,” she recalls. “My school report had stated that I was ‘wasting the educational resources of the school’.”

No doubt that Deputy Principal is now eating his words. Not only did Leanne attain a PhD, she has gone on to forge a 20-year career in higher education, culminating in her appointment as Macquarie University’s first Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy) in 2018.

Her outstanding impact in Indigenous education has now been recognised with the announcement of Leanne as a recipient of the 2020 Chief Executive Women and Roberta Sykes Indigenous Educational Foundation Scholarship, which will see her travel to Harvard University next year to complete their Women and Power: Leadership in a new world program.

“It’s an opportunity for me to build on my leadership performance and approaches for the further advancement of Indigenous education at Macquarie, which has so many positive flow-on effects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities more broadly,” Leanne says.

“In sharing experiences and insights with other global leaders in the program, it will also allow me to reflect on my current practice around mentoring future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.”

The Harvard scholarship is named after Roberta Sykes, the first Indigenous Australian to graduate from an American university. Leanne says the legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people like Roberta is something that inspires everyone in the Walanga Muru community.

“It’s their legacy that provides the amazing opportunities we now have the privilege to experience,” Leanne says. “And it’s our responsibility to take the baton and pave the next level of opportunities for the generations to come.”

Through the delivery of the Macquarie University Indigenous Strategy 2016-25, Leanne and her team are paving these roads to opportunity and she says she is proud of what they have been able to achieve in a relatively short period of time.

“I’ve witnessed so much passion, innovation and determination by our staff and students as we continually build on the success of the Strategy,” she says.

“We’ve increased our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student and staff numbers. We’ve significantly increased our Research Higher Degree student numbers and will soon launch our Indigenous Research Plan. We’ve implemented the Mudang-Dali Indigenous Connected Curriculum Learning and Teaching Framework, reaching out to all academic programs of the University, and we’ve delivered Manawari Cultural Safety Training to over 800 staff.

“Most importantly, the consistent feedback from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is that the quality of their university experience is positive.”

Leanne – who says she sometimes drives past her old school and feels a twang of the same ‘imposter syndrome’ she says many Indigenous students feel – will be able to hold her head high as her aeroplane flies over Worimi and Biripai Country en route to Harvard.

“I’m just proud to be in this position where I can influence agendas to open doors,” she says. “It’s a privilege to be part of a University community that’s making such a significant difference to these young peoples’ lives.”