Program
Program and Speakers
This year's conference program is in development.
Note: this program is subject to change, please refer back to the website for latest updates in the lead-up to the event.
Activities
There will be a range of activities on the day of the conference for attendees to participate in. Take a look at the activities on offer below.
Welcome Ceremony with Brett Watkins
Brent Watkins is a Gunai Kurni man from south-eastern Victoria, with Noongar Yamatji ancestry from Western Australia.
He currently resides on Wurrundjeri and Boon Wurrung land in Narm, what is commonly referred to as the city of Melbourne. Brent gets his inspiration from his Nan, Rita Watkins. In his own words “Growing up seeing her fight for country and our people and strong Kurni woman. Now it is my responsibly to fight for country, for my son and generations to come”.
Brent Watkins is a dancer (traditional/hip hop), didgeridoo player and visual artist, that has established himself in the Melbourne cultural arts scene over the past decade.
At a young age he has been teaching and performing, hosting art workshops and playing the didgerdoo. In high school he was selling his art around Melbourne and the world with his artwork going to customers in five different countries. When Brent left school he started working at Mia Mia gallery, his first job and which lead him to were he is today.
Brent’s major career next step was to create Culture Evolves. Drawing from his ancestral epistemology, combining it with contemporary narratives, Brent conveys the struggles that First Nations people are experiencing in Australia today.
Cultural weaving workshop by Tammy-Lee Atkinson
Tammy-Lee Atkinson and Jean Fowler will be providing an Aboriginal weaving workshop throughout the event. Participants will be contributing to an art installation that will permanently be on display at the Department of Rural Health to celebrate the Ngar-wu Wanyarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Conference.
Music by Zane Caleb
Zane Caleb is a Yorta Yorta artist from Shepparton, Victoria. He began recording and producing his own music at 15 years old, focusing on hip-hop and rap before expanding into R&B, pop, metal, electronic, and folk. Today, Zane describes his sound as alternative rock, drawing on influences from across genres.
In June 2026, he released his debut EP, The Boy Can Fly, recorded and produced in a garage in Shepparton.
Sacred Space Healing by Brady Jones
Bricky B, a Yorta Yorta, Yenbenna, hip-hop, and spoken word artist, began writing lyrics and poetry at 17 and has since evolved into a dynamic performer. He’s graced stages across Victoria, including the Moomba opening event and Shepparton Festival, using his art to reflect, empower, and tell the stories of his community.
Post conference networking
Join attendees of Ngar-wu Wanyarra for a post conference networking event with light refreshments. Relive the day and make meaninful connections with likeminded individuals.