Yarramundi Lecture encourages people to ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’

Western Sydney University was proud to host its annual Yarramundi Lecture exploring the 2022 NAIDOC theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ on Thursday, 8 December.

The Yarramundi Lecture was established by the University out of respect for First Nations People and to celebrate Indigenous history, culture, and achievements. It has become central to Western Sydney University's longstanding commitment to its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

This year’s event brought together students, staff and members of the community to hear from a group of esteemed speakers including:

Allan McKenzie: a proud Gamilaroi/Wiradjuri man who possesses a powerful combination of strong cultural knowledge, respect and cultural awareness training techniques. A new age contemporary Aboriginal artist that is known for his vibrant and contemporary colour palette captivating audiences here and internationally moving them in a narration across land, water, language into a pool of cultural immersion.

Dr Angela Dos Santos: an Australian Stroke Alliance Fellow; Angela is Australia’s first Indigenous neurologist and is a key clinical expert on aeromedical plans at the Melbourne Brain Centre and is co-chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Council.

Brooke Toli: a Western Sydney University student, Student Ambassador for the Office of Student Experience and Marketing, and a casual tutor for the Badanami Centre of Indigenous Education.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership, Professor Michelle Trudgett, said Western Sydney University is proud to host the Yarramundi Lecture and provide a forum to discuss issues that are of local and national importance.

“This year’s Yarramundi Lecture encouraged robust discussion from prominent Indigenous people who generously shared their vision for how we can actively embrace Indigenous knowledge,” said Professor Trudgett.

“This discussion is vital to the University’s longstanding commitment to Indigenous people’s aspirations across education, research and as future leaders.”

Read more about Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Strategy 2020-2025 here.

ENDS

9 December 2022

Lauren Austin, Senior Media Officer