How do clean air, healthy housing and climate justice shape the health of Country and community?
Those questions will guide the Key Thinkers Forum: First Nations Action for Healthy Country & Community to be held at UNSW Sydney on Tuesday 13 October.
Facilitated by Professor Tom Calma AO, the Forum will bring together First Nations community members, health and environment practitioners, and researchers from across Australia. The day will prioritise Indigenous voices and focus on action and research, led by First Nations people, on issues that affect community health, Country and everyday life.
A Welcome to Country by Aunty Maxine Ryan of the La Perouse Aboriginal Community will open the Forum, alongside welcomes from UNSW Dean of Science Professor Sven Rogge and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Professor Leanne Holt.
Environmental health
The first panel will look at environmental health, including findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s First Nations Burden of Disease study.
Chaired by Katie Moore (Wiradjuri) from the Djurali Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research and Education, the session will also examine healthy air research and risk communication. Speakers will include Dr Veronica Matthews (Quandamooka) from the University Centre for Rural Health, and Dr Fabienne Reisen from CSIRO.
The discussion will also draw on work with the University of Wollongong and the Ulladulla Aboriginal Land Council.
Healthy housing
Housing is central to health, security and connection to community. The Forum’s second panel will hear from Aunty Lola Ryan, a Dharawal Elder, and Jacek Anderst from The George Institute for Global Health on the housing and health priorities of Aboriginal people living in public and community housing in Sydney.
Other speakers include Jess Spencer from NSW Health, who will reflect on the collaboration with the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub to trial the use of ceramic tiles generated from waste textiles and glass, in Aboriginal housing in Wellington NSW. Also speaking: Pippa Soccio from CSIRO, who will discuss work to improve housing-condition reporting and proactive maintenance.
Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Leader of the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, will chair the session. Dr Veronica Matthews will also introduce a video from Wilya Janta, an Aboriginal-led housing organisation in Central Australia.
New researchers, new ideas
The afternoon will include short presentations from early- and mid-career researchers. Dr Mandy Downing from Curtin University will introduce presentations from Peta Braedon of CSIRO, Alix Beckett from the Heart Research Institute and Josie Evans from the University of Sydney.
Their work will explore Indigenous-defined futures, connection, collaboration and emerging research priorities.
Climate justice and adaptation
The final panel will examine how communities are responding to climate change through Country, culture and local knowledge.
Chaired by Dr Veronica Matthews, the session includes Aunty Lyn Dimer (Yamatji), Paul Sateer from Monash University, Gloria Baliva (Western Arrernte/Luritja), Supriya Mathew from Menzies School of Health Research, Debbie Symonds (Olkola), Hannah Robertson from the University of Melbourne, and Katie Moore.
The speakers will explore heat, water resilience, healing Country and Indigenous governance in just transitions.
The Forum runs from 9am to 4.30pm at UNSW Sydney. It will also be available online.
The Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub is funded by the Australian Government under the National Environmental Science Program.
