2024 Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Conference

Wednesday 9 October 2024

Register

Gulpa gaka/Welcome

The Department of Rural Health acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work, learn, and live on - the Yorta Yorta Nation. We recognise the unique place held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original owners and custodians of the lands and waterways across the Australian continent, with histories of continuous connection dating back more than 60,000 years.

We pay respect to Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the importance of Indigenous knowledge in the Academy. As a community of researchers, teachers, professional staff and students, we are privileged to work and learn every day with Indigenous colleagues and partners.

About the conference

The Department of Rural Health will be hosting our 9th Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Conference on Wednesday 9 October 2024 on Yorta Yorta Country the University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health, 49 Graham Street Shepparton VIC.

Meaning to ‘listen and act’ in Yorta Yorta language – the Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conference recognises First Nation voices and knowledge, sharing information on key topics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and wellbeing.

Read a summary of our 2023 conference here!

Tickets & Pricing

Tickets for the Ngar-wu Wanyarra conference are available to purchase now until Wednesday 25 September. Further information including the conference program will be available soon.

Please note you will be required to create a UniMelb account to register for this event.

Book now

TicketsIn person
Indigenous attendee$75
Non-Indigenous attendee$150
Optional add-onsIn person
Craft workshopsFree
Post-conference refreshments & networking opportunityFree

Keynote speakers

Professor Sandra Eades

Professor Sandra Eades

Deputy Dean, Indigenous
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Professor Sandra Eades (BMed, PhD, FAHMS) is Deputy Dean (Indigenous) and Rowden White Chair in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. She is a Noongar woman from Mount Barker, WA, and the first Indigenous Australian to be awarded a PhD in medicine. Professor Eades is a recognised leader in Aboriginal health, with over 100 publications focused on child and adolescent health improvement. She has received several awards for her work, including the Lowitja Institute Inaugural Award for Leadership in Aboriginal Health Research (2015). Professor Eades' research has influenced policy and practice, particularly in addressing high rates of Indigenous smoking and improving primary health care for conditions like type 2 diabetes.

Anita Heiss

Dr Anita Heiss

Award-winning Indigenous Australian Author

Dr Anita Heiss AM (Wiradyuri Nation) is an award-winning author, having written over 20 books. She is an international speaker with a background in Australian First Nations literature calling her audiences to action on issues that she is passionate about. She is a board member of the National Justice Project and Circa Contemporary Theatre. Anita is a Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland and an Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the GO Foundation. Notably, her play "Tiddas" premiered at the 2022 Brisbane Festival, and in 2023, she delighted readers with six new books, including her inaugural children’s picture book, "Bidhi Galing" (Big Rain).

Call for abstracts

Would you like to present at our upcoming conference? We warmly invite you to share your story, wisdom, research, and community projects at the annual Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Conference. 

This is an opportunity to showcase your work, share your knowledge, and foster meaningful dialogue amongst our conference delegates. Whether you're an artist, activist, researcher, healthcare worker or community member, we welcome your contributions.

Let your voice be heard, your stories be told, and your impact be felt. Together, let’s create a platform that highlights and honours Indigenous voices.

Submit an abstract

Key dates

Wednesday 1 May 2024

Call for abtracts open

Wednesday 31 July 2024

Call for abstracts close

Monday 1 July 2024

Ticket registrations open

Wednesday 25 September

Ticket registrations close

Wednesday 9 October 2024

Conference commences

Contact information

For event enquiries contact:

Aboriginal Health Team
Department of Rural Health
Email: aboriginal-health@unimelb.edu.au
Phone:  +(03) 5823 3178

For media enquiries contact:

Giacinta Caione
Marketing and Communications Coordinator 
Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne 
Email: giacinta.caione@unimelb.edu.au

Stay up to date

Stay in the loop by signing up for event updates! Request to join our database here.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respect to them, their culture and their Elders past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices, or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

Conference artwork by Norman Stewart, Community/Language Group: Yorta Yorta, 'Kidneys of the Dungala', 2014