our 2026 program
MASTER OF CEREMONY
Shelley Ware
Shelley Ware is a proud Yankunytjatjara and Wirangu woman, educator, author and media presenter who has spent more than two decades championing First Nations voices in education, sport and media.
With over 25 years of experience as a teacher and education consultant, Shelley works alongside schools and organisations across Australia helping educators confidently embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures into their teaching. Many people will also recognise Shelley from her work across television, radio and podcasts where she brings powerful conversations about culture, identity and community into the national spotlight.
Known for her warmth, humour and ability to connect with audiences, Shelley creates spaces where people feel comfortable to listen, learn and reflect. As MC for the conference, Shelley will guide the day’s conversations, bringing energy, insight and a strong cultural voice to this important national gathering.
Key Note Speaker
Max Lenoy
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)
Keynote:
The ACARA FIRST Framework – Building respectful and reciprocal relationships with First Nations Elders,
knowledge holders and educators.
Max Lenoy is a Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Warungu man from North Queensland and the Curriculum Specialist for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures at the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). He works with teachers, communities and schools across Australia to support the development of First Nations resources within the Australian Curriculum.
Panel Speakers
Sara Frazer
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Reconciliation Queensland
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
The Murri School
Tessa Keenan
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Tessa Keenan
Reconciliation Australia (Narragunnawali)
Meet Our Presenters
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Rachel Dunn
Aunty Dale Chapman
Rachel Dunn
Founder, Jenname Consultancy & Training
Workshop:
Speaking Safe: Building Culturally Safe and Trauma Informed Practice in School Communities
Rachel Dunn is a proud Palawa woman, educator, and cultural advisor with more than 30 years’ experience working alongside Aboriginal children, families, and communities.
Through Jenname Consultancy, s
Founder, Jenname Consultancy & Training
Workshop:
Speaking Safe: Building Culturally Safe and Trauma Informed Practice in School Communities
Rachel Dunn is a proud Palawa woman, educator, and cultural advisor with more than 30 years’ experience working alongside Aboriginal children, families, and communities.
Through Jenname Consultancy, she supports schools and organisations to strengthen cultural safety, trauma informed practice, and respectful engagement with Aboriginal students and families.
Her work is grounded in truth telling, relational learning, and the lived experience of Aboriginal families.
Stephen Rutter
Aunty Dale Chapman
Rachel Dunn
Founder, The Scale Institute
Workshop:
From Respect to Relationship: Embedding First Nations Perspectives Through Practice
Stephen Rutter is an Indigenous educator, a proud descendant of the Trawlwoolway Tribal Group from Tebrakunna Country in Trowunna (Tasmania), and founder of The Scale Institute, where he designs learning experiences th
Founder, The Scale Institute
Workshop:
From Respect to Relationship: Embedding First Nations Perspectives Through Practice
Stephen Rutter is an Indigenous educator, a proud descendant of the Trawlwoolway Tribal Group from Tebrakunna Country in Trowunna (Tasmania), and founder of The Scale Institute, where he designs learning experiences that connect cultural knowledge with practical action in education and organisations. His work supports schools to move beyond intention and into meaningful, community connected practice.
Stephen brings experience across education, entrepreneurship, and innovation, helping educators embed First Nations perspectives through respectful relationships and reflective practice.
Aunty Dale Chapman
Aunty Dale Chapman
Aunty Dale Chapman
My Dilly Bag
Workshop:
Introduction to Bush Foods in the Classroom
Dale Chapman is an Indigenous woman born in Dirranbandi in south west Queensland on Yuwaalaraay and Kooma tribal lands.
She has lived and worked on Gubbi Gubbi land, known as the Sunshine Coast, since 1976. Dale’s totem, emu, is passed on to her through her father’s family
My Dilly Bag
Workshop:
Introduction to Bush Foods in the Classroom
Dale Chapman is an Indigenous woman born in Dirranbandi in south west Queensland on Yuwaalaraay and Kooma tribal lands.
She has lived and worked on Gubbi Gubbi land, known as the Sunshine Coast, since 1976. Dale’s totem, emu, is passed on to her through her father’s family and the possum through her mother’s family.
Regarded as a leader in her field, Aunty Dale is the founder of My Dilly Bag, a celebrated and award-winning chef, cookbook author, public speaker, television personality, and lecturer.
Bronwyn Cochrane
Aunty Dale Chapman
Aunty Dale Chapman
Founder and Managing Director, TIPIAC
Workshop:
8 Ways Roadmap to Embedding Authentic First Nations Perspectives
Bronwyn (Bonnie) is a proud Gamilaraay woman and the Founder of TIPIAC, an Aboriginal owned education organisation supporting educators to embed authentic First Nations perspectives across curriculum and school practice.
With mor
Founder and Managing Director, TIPIAC
Workshop:
8 Ways Roadmap to Embedding Authentic First Nations Perspectives
Bronwyn (Bonnie) is a proud Gamilaraay woman and the Founder of TIPIAC, an Aboriginal owned education organisation supporting educators to embed authentic First Nations perspectives across curriculum and school practice.
With more than 28 years working alongside educators across Australia, Bonnie is known for creating practical tools and frameworks that help teachers move beyond good intentions into meaningful classroom practice grounded in Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing.
Deborah Belyea
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Josh Brown
Director, Zeyawgub Consultancy
Workshop:
Muy Nulayg
(Inner Knowledge):
The Importance of Cultural Identity for the Torres Strait Islander Child
Deborah Belyea is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman from the Samuawgadhalayg, with family connections to Saibai Island, Dauan Island, and the Baga community in Cape York.
She is an experienced
Director, Zeyawgub Consultancy
Workshop:
Muy Nulayg
(Inner Knowledge):
The Importance of Cultural Identity for the Torres Strait Islander Child
Deborah Belyea is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman from the Samuawgadhalayg, with family connections to Saibai Island, Dauan Island, and the Baga community in Cape York.
She is an experienced educator, artist, and Director of Zeyawgub Consultancy, with more than 20 years working across remote and regional communities and in
higher education.
Deborah works closely with educators to strengthen cultural responsiveness and confidence in embedding First Nations perspectives, particularly within early
years education.
Josh Brown
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Josh Brown
Co Founder, Deadly Ed
Workshop:
Native Gardens and Yarning Circles: Your Greatest Educational Resources Are in Your Own Backyard
Josh Brown is a proud Worimi man from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales and Co Founder of Deadly Ed. With a background as a teacher, Josh now works across schools and organisations to strengthen cultural e
Co Founder, Deadly Ed
Workshop:
Native Gardens and Yarning Circles: Your Greatest Educational Resources Are in Your Own Backyard
Josh Brown is a proud Worimi man from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales and Co Founder of Deadly Ed. With a background as a teacher, Josh now works across schools and organisations to strengthen cultural education and support meaningful engagement with Aboriginal perspectives.
Through Deadly Ed, Josh helps educators create learning environments that connect students to Country, culture, and community, supporting stronger outcomes for Aboriginal young people and a deeper understanding for all students.
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
The Murri School
Workshop:
The Murri School Way
Tramaine is a proud Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr woman, Tramain Maybanks-Lund is a passionate educator leading Secondary School curriculum development at the Murri School. She collaborates closely with Elders, community leaders, and industry partners to design culturally responsive, land-
The Murri School
Workshop:
The Murri School Way
Tramaine is a proud Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr woman, Tramain Maybanks-Lund is a passionate educator leading Secondary School curriculum development at the Murri School. She collaborates closely with Elders, community leaders, and industry partners to design culturally responsive, land-based learning experiences.
Danielle is a proud Gunditjmara, Jinibara and Kabi Kabi woman, who began her journey with the Murri School in 1997 as a Tutor, supporting students in their learning during the school's early years. In recent years she has taken on a variety of leadership roles, contributing to the growth and development of teaching and learning across The Murri School.
The Murri School Way is a reflective, practice-based presentation grounded in 40 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled education. The session explores how The Murri School, an independent Prep to Year 12 school located on Yagara and Turrbal Country, enacts self-determination through culturally grounded governance, leadership, curriculum, and holistic student support.
Drawing on the vision of Elders who asserted the right of First Nations peoples to an education system that protects the integrity of cultural life, the presentation demonstrates how this philosophy continues to guide contemporary practice.
Central to the presentation is The Murri School Way and the Connected Curriculum, a strengths-based, culturally responsive approach that centres Indigenous knowledge systems, language, relationships, and community in teaching and learning.
Karen Tighe
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Tramain Maybanks-Lund and Dannielle Toka
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Consultant
Armidale Catholic Schools
Workshop:
Wii Gaay – Clever Child Program
Karen Tighe is a proud Ngemba and Gamilaraay educator with extensive experience supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across rural and regional NSW. She works as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Consultant
Armidale Catholic Schools
Workshop:
Wii Gaay – Clever Child Program
Karen Tighe is a proud Ngemba and Gamilaraay educator with extensive experience supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across rural and regional NSW. She works as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander K–12 Education Consultant for Armidale Catholic Schools, supporting culturally strong pathways and opportunities for young people.
Karen’s work focuses on strengthening cultural identity, wellbeing, and educational pathways for Aboriginal students through programs that centre culture, belonging, and high expectations.
Larissa Taylor
Gemma Pol & Jordyn Green
Gemma Pol & Jordyn Green
Flinders University
Workshop:
Truth Telling Is Not an Add On: Embedding First Nations Knowledges with Integrity
Larissa Taylor is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman and educator based on Kaurna Country in South Australia. She works in higher education and community services, with extensive experience across youth justice, child protection, cultur
Flinders University
Workshop:
Truth Telling Is Not an Add On: Embedding First Nations Knowledges with Integrity
Larissa Taylor is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman and educator based on Kaurna Country in South Australia. She works in higher education and community services, with extensive experience across youth justice, child protection, cultural training, and Aboriginal health education.
Larissa’s work centres on truth telling, cultural integrity, and relational accountability, supporting educators to embed First Nations knowledges respectfully and meaningfully within education systems.
Gemma Pol & Jordyn Green
Gemma Pol & Jordyn Green
Gemma Pol & Jordyn Green
Gemma Pol - CEO Common Ground
Jordyn Green - Founder of
The Yulang Effect
Workshop:
Beyond a Single Lesson: Weaving First Nations Story Across the Curriculum
Gemma Pol, CEO of Common Ground, and Jordyn Green, Founder of The Yulang Effect, bring together storytelling, education, and cultural knowledge to support deeper understanding of F
Gemma Pol - CEO Common Ground
Jordyn Green - Founder of
The Yulang Effect
Workshop:
Beyond a Single Lesson: Weaving First Nations Story Across the Curriculum
Gemma Pol, CEO of Common Ground, and Jordyn Green, Founder of The Yulang Effect, bring together storytelling, education, and cultural knowledge to support deeper understanding of First Nations perspectives.
Gemma is a Wiradjuri, Ngemba and Paakantji woman who leads national storytelling initiatives that centre First Nations voices and lived experiences. Jordyn is a Wiradjuri, Ngemba and Paakantji woman and founder of The Yulang Effect.
Together they explore how First Nations storytelling can become the foundation for meaningful, theme based learning across classrooms and curriculum areas.
Michael Passi
Gemma Pol & Jordyn Green
Michael Passi
Passi Indigenous Consultancy
Workshop:
Walking With Us: Practical Cultural Capability for Educators
Michael Passi is a Torres Strait Islander consultant with lived cultural connections across the Torres Strait and Far North Queensland. He has more than 18 years of experience delivering cultural capability training and supporting organisat
Passi Indigenous Consultancy
Workshop:
Walking With Us: Practical Cultural Capability for Educators
Michael Passi is a Torres Strait Islander consultant with lived cultural connections across the Torres Strait and Far North Queensland. He has more than 18 years of experience delivering cultural capability training and supporting organisations to build stronger understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Through Passi Indigenous Consultancy, Michael works with educators, government agencies, and workplaces to strengthen cultural confidence, support respectful engagement, and help create environments where First Nations people feel seen, supported, and able to thrive.
Jessica Staines
Gemma Pol & Jordyn Green
Michael Passi
Founder and Director,
Koori Curriculum
Workshop:
All In: Moving Beyond Intentions to Action Through RAP Roadmaps in Early Childhood Education
Jessica Staines is a Wiradjuri early childhood consultant, author, and Founder of Koori Curriculum. With more than fifteen years working across early learning, professional development, and communi
Founder and Director,
Koori Curriculum
Workshop:
All In: Moving Beyond Intentions to Action Through RAP Roadmaps in Early Childhood Education
Jessica Staines is a Wiradjuri early childhood consultant, author, and Founder of Koori Curriculum. With more than fifteen years working across early learning, professional development, and community initiatives, Jess supports educators to embed Aboriginal perspectives through practical, culturally responsive approaches grounded in relationships with Country and community.
Her work focuses on translating cultural frameworks into meaningful everyday practice that strengthens educator confidence, cultural capability, and authentic partnerships with local knowledge holders.
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Baihe Butcher
Paris Beasy, Dee Taylor & Destiny Paris
Baihe Butcher
Founder, Grounded in Country
Workshop:
Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives into Mathematics: Practical Strategies for K-6
Baihe Butcher is a proud Kamilaroi woman from Scone and an experienced educator delivering professional learning to teachers and schools across Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) (Honours) and is widely
Founder, Grounded in Country
Workshop:
Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives into Mathematics: Practical Strategies for K-6
Baihe Butcher is a proud Kamilaroi woman from Scone and an experienced educator delivering professional learning to teachers and schools across Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) (Honours) and is widely recognised for her practical, culturally responsive approach to embedding Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum.
Baihe works with classroom teachers, school leaders, and systems to move beyond tokenistic inclusion and towards meaningful, curriculum-aligned practice. Her professional learning supports educators to build confidence, cultural understanding, and clarity around protocols, while providing concrete strategies that can be implemented immediately in classrooms from K-12
Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives in Mathematics: Practical Strategies for K-6 is a hands-on professional learning session designed to support teachers to authentically embed Aboriginal
perspectives within everyday maths instruction.
This presentation moves beyond tokenistic examples and focuses on meaningful, curriculum-aligned integration that strengthens both mathematical understanding and cultural respect. Participants will explore how Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing connect naturally with the K-6 Mathematics curriculum, including number, measurement, space, data and problem-solving.
The session unpacks key cultural concepts and protocols to build teacher confidence, ensuring Aboriginal content is delivered respectfully and accurately. Attendees will engage with practical classroom strategies and leave with five ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned lesson plans that can be implemented immediately across diverse school contexts.
Rebecca Bridge
Paris Beasy, Dee Taylor & Destiny Paris
Baihe Butcher
Brisbane Montessori School
Workshop:
The Montessori Approach to building Culturally Safe Practices for Children Under 3
Rebecca Bridge is a proud Marrawarri woman and early childhood educator based in Brisbane. With over a decade of experience in Montessori toddler environments, she holds an AMI Montessori 0–3 Diploma and a Diploma in C
Brisbane Montessori School
Workshop:
The Montessori Approach to building Culturally Safe Practices for Children Under 3
Rebecca Bridge is a proud Marrawarri woman and early childhood educator based in Brisbane. With over a decade of experience in Montessori toddler environments, she holds an AMI Montessori 0–3 Diploma and a Diploma in Children’s Services.
Rebecca’s work centres on building culturally safe, responsive relationships with young children and their families. In this workshop, she explores how intentional early learning environments nurture identity, belonging, and strong self image, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and all children, grow within spaces grounded in respect and cultural integrity.
Carly Pettiona
Paris Beasy, Dee Taylor & Destiny Paris
Paris Beasy, Dee Taylor & Destiny Paris
Reconciliation Australia
Workshop: Narragunnawali RAPs: how do they work and how do you get your team involved?
Carly Pettiona is a non-First Nations woman from Kombumerri Country with a background in linguistics, Aboriginal languages and education. She has previously worked as an educator in schools, universities and adult learning spac
Reconciliation Australia
Workshop: Narragunnawali RAPs: how do they work and how do you get your team involved?
Carly Pettiona is a non-First Nations woman from Kombumerri Country with a background in linguistics, Aboriginal languages and education. She has previously worked as an educator in schools, universities and adult learning spaces where she has incorporated
reconciliation into her everyday educative practice.
As the Senior Officer, Professional Learning in the Narragunnawali program, Carly develops, leads and facilitates professional learning experiences for educators across the country.
Narragunnawali Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) are designed to frame your school or service’s reconciliation work. In this session, we will go through some of the key steps in developing or refreshing your RAP and give you some activities and ideas to take back to your working groups to increase engagement and commitment to reconciliation work.
Paris Beasy, Dee Taylor & Destiny Paris
Paris Beasy, Dee Taylor & Destiny Paris
Paris Beasy, Dee Taylor & Destiny Paris
CSIRO
Workshop:
Investigate and Innovate: Indigenous STEM
Paris Beasy is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman and holds a Bachelor of Science from Monash University. She is the Project Lead of Innovate and Investigate: Indigenous STEM Education Resources at CSIRO, where she develops curriculum-aligned resources that embed Aboriginal and T
CSIRO
Workshop:
Investigate and Innovate: Indigenous STEM
Paris Beasy is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman and holds a Bachelor of Science from Monash University. She is the Project Lead of Innovate and Investigate: Indigenous STEM Education Resources at CSIRO, where she develops curriculum-aligned resources that embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander science, culture, and Knowledges into classrooms.
Destiny is a third‑generation Australian and a committed ally and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Since joining CSIRO’s Deadly in Generation STEM team in 2021, she has played a pivotal role in co‑designing and co‑delivering the program within her local Illawarra community and supporting its growth into new regions.
Dee is a proud Dunghatti woman and mother of four. She is passionate about education and the positive impact it can have on our next generation of leaders. In her current role as Education & Engagement Facilitator for CSIRO Education and Outreach and in her recent roles as an Academic Coordinator with the CSIRO’s Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, she hahasve worked with a dedicated team of educators driven to provide Future Focused pedagogy and implement positive technological developments for our students, educators and community.
Participants will trial practical strategies and leave with tools to embed Indigenous STEM in ways that are respectful, rigorous, and meaningful for primary and secondary students.