Western Sydney University celebrates Indigenous excellence at 2026 NAIDOC Week Gala Dinner

Professor Susan Page

Professor Page is a leading Aboriginal scholar and senior higher education leader with extensive experience in Indigenous education, teaching and learning, and sector governance. She is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE, a prestigious global recognition awarded for sustained leadership and impact in higher education teaching and learning. Professor Page is also a member of the Australian Government’s Higher Education Standards Panel, contributing expert advice on the development and oversight of Australia’s higher education standards. Her work has been central to advancing Indigenous participation, leadership, and excellence across the higher education sector.

Dr Georgia Durmush

Dr Durmush is a proud Wailwan and Gomeroi woman. She is a mother, researcher, academic and Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Youth Work in the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University. She has a PhD in Indigenous higher education youth wellbeing from ACU. Dr Durmush’s research interests and passions are focused on Indigenous wellbeing, Indigenous languages and student wellbeing, Indigenous youth, and Indigenous young peoples financial wellbeing and aspirations. Georgia couldn’t be here tonight as she’s currently overseas, but we’d still like to say a big congratulations to Doctor Georgia Durmush.

Kristy Bell

Kristy is a strong Wiradjuri women and Badanami Student Success Officer for Campbelltown campus. She unconditionally serves her community & students. Kristy regularly encourages connection to country and culture, and provides a space for her students to be able to thrive and feel welcomed throughout their university careers. She continues to go above and beyond for all of her students day in and day out, ensuring they have not only a place to feel safe and heard, but also a person that will always support them.

Indigenous Employment Team:

1. Gabrielle Talbot-Mundine
2. Sharna McNamara

The Indigenous Employment Team at Western Sydney University, consisting of Gabrielle and Sharna, is dedicated to advancing Indigenous employment, participation, development and retention across the institution. The team leads strategic initiatives that support culturally safe workplaces, strengthen career pathways, and recognise the unique contributions of Indigenous staff. Working in partnership with leaders and communities, the team promotes inclusive practices, supports recruitment and workforce development, and implements initiatives aligned with the University’s 2026-2030 Indigenous Strategy, ensuring meaningful and sustained impact for Indigenous employees.

Aaliyah Kearney

Aaliyah is a proud Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Yorta Yorta woman who completed the Ignite Traineeship in 2025, obtaining a Certificate III in Business. Aaliyah then secured a role as the Administrative Assistant in the Office of the PVC, Learning and Teaching. Aaliyah supports the executive team, streamlines processes and coordinates events such as the 2025 AAUT Award Ceremony and the annual L&T Showcase. Aaliyah is strongly committed to professional development and cultural representation, often delivering Acknowledgements of Country. Additionally, Aaliyah has gone onto be named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year for Western Sydney and Blue Mountains.

Billy Bent-Ngawaka

Billy is a proud Anewan and Ngunnawal man and current student at Western Sydney University, studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. He works as a Student Support Officer with the Future Student Engagement Team, where he supports prospective and commencing students in navigating university life. Billy is passionate about improving access to education and breaking down barriers for Indigenous students. Through sharing his knowledge and lived experience, he empowers others to feel confident, connected, and supported in their studies, reflecting his strong commitment to community, culture, and student success.

Charlie Arnold

Charlie is a proud Darug woman from the Hawkesbury region and an architecture student at Western Sydney University. Her journey has been shaped by her passion for design, culture, and giving back to the community. Receiving the We Build Future Leaders Scholarship has supported her both financially and personally, allowing her to focus on her goals and grow through opportunities such as WSU's Aspire program. Her aspiration is to use architecture to create meaningful spaces that reflect Indigenous identity and support communities, particularly in remote and regional areas. She is driven to show that anything is possible for young Indigenous people.

Hunter Flick

Hunter is a proud Gamilaroi man, educator in training, and emerging cultural leader currently studying an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bachelor of Education at Western Sydney University. Inspired by the teachers and mentors who have supported his journey, he is passionate about empowering the next generation through education, culture, and leadership, with a strong commitment to strengthening cultural identity, pride, and belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Alongside his studies, Hunter works with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice supporting young people within the correctional system, where he builds positive relationships and shares culture to promote resilience, self-belief, and positive pathways. He is committed to showing young people that their circumstances do not define their future, and to creating opportunities for others through education, lived experience, and cultural knowledge to drive meaningful change in community.

Briana Crowe

Briana is a proud Dunghutti Woman and a Bachelor of Social Sciences student, majoring in Child and Community, while undertaking Indigenous Studies electives. She is passionate about the human welfare sector and aspires to work with Indigenous communities and families. Briana believes that strong connections to culture, belonging, and academic success foster well-being, empowerment, and community connection.

Troy Bunyan

Troy is a proud Wiradjuri man, whose mob is based in Wellington, and has grown up on Darkinjung Country on the Central Coast of New South Wales. He is currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) and was awarded the Academic Excellence Award in 2025 for the 2024 academic year. Alongside his studies, he works as an Undergraduate Commercial with ACCIONA Constructions Australia on the Malabar Systems Alliance Project, contributing to cost planning and procurement. His experience also includes hands-on site work in machine operation, carpentry and concreting, as well as applying Work Health and Safety practices.

Jordan Straw

Jordan is a final-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) student at Western Sydney University. Born and raised in Blacktown on Dharug Country, Jordan is currently completing her honours thesis exploring social anxiety and its impact on emotional experiences within intimate relationships. Her academic interests include social anxiety, attachment, interpersonal relationships, and positive emotional functioning, with a strong focus on understanding the factors that influence wellbeing and social connection. Following graduation, Jordan hopes to pursue a career in forensic psychology, applying psychological science to support assessment, rehabilitation, and positive outcomes within the justice system.

Dr Rowan Savage

Dr Savage is a proud Kombumerri man living on Wangal Land. He is in his second year of the Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling. He has a previous PhD looking at dehumanisation and currently works in Aboriginal education in the public sector. He is also a sound artist working with On Country field recordings across live performance and gallery installations. His passion for supporting mental health, for mob and for everyone, and curiosity about supporting people to work through distress drives his work in his current qualification.

Bradley Burns

Bradley, a Kamilaroi man, is driven by a passion for supporting Indigenous children and young people. He commenced his professional life as an out-of-home care practitioner, initially as a caseworker and progressing to a Senior Advisor role in supporting ongoing connection to culture and family for Aboriginal children in care. He secured a competitive Yarramundi PhD scholarship, co-funded by Key Assets Australia, motivated by a commitment to contributing to system reform. Bradley recently took up a Senior Policy and Research role at SNAICC, a national organisation that works to uphold the rights of Indigenous children.