Chancellor's Address: NAIDOC Awards

The following address was delivered by Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AC, at the Western Sydney University NAIDOC Awards on Friday, 10 July 2026 (please check against delivery).

I would also like to acknowledge the Burramattagal People of the Darug Nation and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

I also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are here tonight.

As Chancellor of Western Sydney University, I am honoured to be invited to speak with you.

Turning the page

Tonight is a moment to begin a new chapter.

I believe with the progress we are making, the changing nature of Western Sydney and our national economy, and the forces shaping our society – it’s time to turn the page.

Turning the page does not mean that we ignore the past, nor fail to learn from it.

It does not mean we overlook some of the unforgivable atrocities throughout our national history.

It does not mean we ignore the racism that continues and the systemic failure to lift the living standards of so many Aboriginal people.

However, it does mean that together – at this University – we can continue our work and start a new chapter on Indigenous advancement and self-determination.

And lighting the way for us at Western will be the Indigenous Centre of Excellence.

A beacon for a new direction.

A beacon for the future.

At Western Sydney University, we have an unwavering commitment to Indigenous advancement.

We are determined that Indigenous Australians be empowered to advance, both economically and socially.

As individuals, it is the realisation of personal aspirations.

We also want Indigenous Australians to be front and centre of an advanced economy – an economy that is taking shape in Western Sydney through:

Western Sydney University is also a university and a university community that embraces self-determination.

It doesn’t merely consult.

Superficial and patronising consultation in this country for so long to me is at the heart of the systemic failures I’ve discussed.

Instead, truly respectful dialogue is needed.

At Western, our consultation deeply embeds the priorities, aspirations, and views of the Indigenous community – not as an input into decision-making, but as a form of decision-making.

Self-determination at its best will be decision-making and direction focussed.

It will not be without disagreement, debate.

But we can and we must find a different way, a better way and tonight I recommit the University to this cause.

Advancement

So, let me talk about the advancement agenda first.

It is our responsibility to do more to attract, retain and support Indigenous students.

Education lifts horizons and creates opportunities.

And here, I want to applaud the leadership of Professor Michelle Trudgett and the hard work of her dedicated team. You in this room tonight.

We are close to reaching 1,000 Indigenous students at Western.

In fact, we’re just 21 students shy.

Closing in on this milestone sees us on our way to reaching our WESTERN 2030 ambitions.

Our goal is to have 3.2 per cent of our domestic undergraduate student body comprised of Indigenous students by 2030.

We are also working towards a retention rate of 78 per cent for Indigenous students.

Because of course advancement isn’t just about opening the doors of opportunity – it’s making sure they stay open.

It’s also about creating greater Indigenous representation and leadership in the advanced economy.

The Western Sydney economy is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation.

The new Western Sydney International Airport and the Bradfield City Centre are changing the complexion of our region.

New technologies are rewriting the jobs of the future.

We want to create more pathways for people to enter university, and by driving greater personalisation, wrap around them when they are here.

I am particularly proud that the Chancellor’s Golf Day last year raised money for the Badanami Futures Fund.

This fund to support Indigenous students is truly life changing.

We raised $120,000 – the largest fundraising event of the university.

Packages to help with things like laptops and accommodation.

Tonight, I recommit this year’s Golf Day to the fund.

I am pleased to say we have already sold out and we only have three holes left to sponsor.

Progress

So, when it comes to advancement, are we making progress?

Nothing made me prouder than last December when I stood with 8 Indigenous graduates who completed their Bachelor of Medicine program – the highest number in the University’s history.

It was a watershed moment.

It also reinforced to me the role that our University plays in advancement.

We are the University that gives back to the community.

We graduate the:

That list is not exhaustive – but it demonstrates the impact we have.

Like Indigenous mother of six – Dr Tatum Maybir – a proud Dharawal and Wiradjuri woman.

Dr Maybir studied with us.

Her journey inspired three of her children to follow in her footsteps.

Two of her sons graduated last December, while her 18-year-old daughter has just completed her first semester.

They are writing the next chapter in their family’s story, starting with a degree at Western Sydney University.

Leadership

We must also remember the role we play in graduating tomorrow’s leaders.

It’s why I am thrilled to champion the Chancellor’s Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme.

The Fellowship supports early-career Indigenous academics to undertake a three-year research project, providing dedicated time and support to develop high‑quality research with meaningful social impact.

The inaugural recipient is Bradley Burns.

A Kamilaroi man, Bradley is driven by a passion for supporting Indigenous children and young people.

His research explores how the voices of Indigenous young people can be supported in the systems that affect their lives, including:

The Indigenous Centre of Excellence will ensure we are creating the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

We will create the country’s leading Indigenous Research Institute and aim to create a new era of Post Doctoral Fellows and PhD students.

We must be the university that creates the CEOs and the Board directors, and whilst I live and breathe, I want to drive the university sector so within the next decade, we have an Indigenous Vice-Chancellor running a university in this country.

But we can’t achieve this if we do not push a leadership agenda at Western.

Self-determination

I now want to turn to the topic of self-determination.

I can assure you all tonight that George and I take this extremely seriously.

For too long – as a country – we have failed to really listen and to understand.

For too long – as I said earlier – the decision-making model has been patronising, not empowering.

I know there may be bumps along the way but our job – George and mine – is to create the environment for you to further this agenda.

And it is the job of all of us to create the collective responsibility and collective accountability to always act in the best interests of the University.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure we have the tools and governance to succeed and deliver a lasting legacy.

I want to work with you to open the door and to keep it open permanently – long after George and I have left the university.

Conclusion

It’s up to all of us to turn the page.

We can control what happens next.

What we do at this University really matters.

We have a huge responsibility to make it count.

The Indigenous Centre of Excellence cannot merely be a showcase – it must be a change agent.

It must inspire us, encourage us and illuminate the way forward.

It’s an opportunity to turn the page.

It is an opportunity for lasting change.

Thank you.

ENDS.

15 July 2026

Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas
Media Unit