About Ngar-wu Wanyarra

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 11th Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Conference on Wednesday 28 October 2026 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 Health 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 2025 conference

Key dates

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Call for abstracts open

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Ticket sales open

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Abstracts close

Wednesday 21 October 2026

Ticket sales close

Contact information

For event enquiries contact:

Aboriginal Health (Malka) team
Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne
Email: aboriginal-health@unimelb.edu.au
Phone:  (03) 5823 4512

For media enquiries contact:

Marketing and Events team
Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne 
Email: drh-marketingevents@unimelb.edu.au

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respect to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future. 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