A spotlight will be shone on the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Stait Islander women during a series of conversations at Ipswich Central Library in the lead-up to NAIDOC Week 2018.
USQ’s College for Indigenous Studies, Education and Research (CISER) has organised the conversations, during which seven Aboriginal women leaders will share their stories.
The theme for NAIDOC Week 2018 (8-15 July) is ‘Because of Her, We Can!’.
The series kicked off on 16 May with Gunggari woman Gayle Munn and will continue with the second conversation on Wednesday, 23 May.
For more information, contact CISER on (07) 4631 2133 or email [email protected]
Associate Professor Odette Best
When: 23 May. Time: 6.30pm.
Dr Odette Best is Wakgun clan of the Gorreng Gorreng (grandmother’s line), Boonthamurra (grandfather’s line) and Kombumerri of Yugameh Nation through her adopted father. Currenlty, she is Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Southern Queensland. She received her Doctor of Philosophy in 2012. Her research was titled Yatdjuligin: The Stories of Queensland Aboriginal Registered Nurses 1950–2005. She has an extensive work history of 27 years in Aboriginal health. Associate Professor Best is passionate about uncovering the histories of Aboriginal nurses and midwives and has a love of Aboriginal foods and decolonising diets.
Carla Davidson
When: 30 May. Time: 6.30pm.
Carla Davidson-Fewquandie is a Yuggera, Birun and Kullili woman who grew up in Ipswich and proudly calls Ipswich her home. She is a mother of five and tries to imbue her children with the values that she herself grew up with, that is, work hard, be respectful and be confident. Ms Davidson-Fewquandie is a cultural practitioner for Mission Australia, in the Intensive Family Services Support Team. She has been with this organisation since its inception and loves working with Aboriginal families in the community. She holds an Associate Degree in Indigenous Community Development and Management (Curtain University, 2004) and is planning to complete her degree in Bachelor Human Services at USQ.
Sharon Kinchela
When: 6 June. Time: 6.30pm.
Sharon Kinchela was born in Charleville and has lived for 40 years in Ipswich. She is a proud mother of two children though has raised nine in total. Ms Kinchela has worked across many Aboriginal communities in remote and rural Queensland including Woorabinda, Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw engaging in community capacity building opportunities. She is the co-founding director of Ngiyani (meaning ‘we all’). Ms Kinchela is committed to the healing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from past government policies and practices. She is a strong advocate for the strengthening our communities.
Sharron Lindh
When: 14 June. Time: 6pm.
Sharron Mirii Lindh is a proud Gamilaraay Wiradyuri yinaar and founder of Indigenous Insights which has been operating since 2005. With 27 years experience in the early childhood and primary sectors, Ms Lindh’s passion is driven by her own life experiences which enables her to share her unique culture with the hope of providing better educational outcomes for all. She was nominated, and won the 2016 Child Friendly Excellence Award for her valuable contribution to families and children. As a singer songwriter she collaborated with Sue Lewin and Peter Stewart in 2016 to create the CD- Stand and Grow – Warranhabu Buwanhabu which is an amazing work of art.
Kristy Midgley
When: 20 June. Time: 6.30pm.
Kristy Midgley is a Mununjali woman born and raised in Ipswich. She is a young mother of two and is an emerging Aboriginal woman leader for the 7 Conversations Program. Ms Midgley completed high school and her original intention was to be an accountant. She had the opportunity to work in a hair salon and loved this and has worked in this industry for 23 years. She is the owner of Giggles Hair Studio, Giggles Beauty Studio and Giggles Coffee Bean. Ms Midgley is most passionate about spreading kindness and making people feel amazing, hence her success within the hair industry.
Laurie-anne Parsons
When: 27 June. Time: 6.30pm.
Laurie- anne Parsons is a Gamilorai woman and though born at Waratah in New South Wales she has been educated and lived most of her life in Ipswich. Ms Parsons works at the University of Southern Queensland where she is enrolled in the Bachelor of Human Services degree. Ms Parsons is a working mother of four beautiful children and is committed to maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. She is named as an emerging leader in the 7 Conversations program and she will be discussing the issues that she sees as important for Aboriginal communities.
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