Lowitja Institute staff were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik AO, a Djaru Elder. Professor Bin-Sallik was the first Aboriginal person to graduate from Harvard University with a PhD and held numerous important academic roles throughout her distinguished career. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family. 

Some of our Lowitja Institute staff recently spent time in the beautiful Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait).  

My colleagues and I were deeply appreciative of the hospitality we received and grateful for the local contributions to our current project, 'Looking back to look forward: aspirations for community controlled research.' This newly launched project examines the priorities, experiences and aspirations of Aboriginal community controlled organisations in leading future health and wellbeing research.

(L-to-R) Paul Stewart; Senior Project Officer – Consulting, Aaliyah Davey; Renee Williams, CEO, Torres Health Indigenous Corporation (THIC); Executive Manager, Research and Knowledge Translation, Jaki Adams; and THIC's Charleeja Viti.

Hearing directly from communities across Australia is essential to understanding what is needed to decolonise research, advance community-led projects and identify how Lowitja Institute can best support these aspirations. The feedback shared during our visit to Zenadth Kes will be compiled and incorporated into the project. If you’re interested in taking part in the project, 'Looking back to look forward: aspirations for community controlled research' please complete our public survey.

ngun-godjin

(thank you)

Paul Stewart

CEO

Lowitja Institute team visits Waiben to engage with Community and discuss our work 

In early February, we had an amazing opportunity to engage with stakeholders on Waiben (Thursday Island) to hear and learn about the priorities, governance structures and culture of the people of the Torres Strait, while also sharing the work of Lowitja Institute. We were hosted by Renee Williams, CEO for Torres Health Indigenous Corporation, and welcomed by Joey Laifoo and the Lagaw Titui (Island Stars) next generation dance team with a cultural performance. 

(L-to-R): Jaki Adams, Torres Strait Islander Media Association Senior Broadcaster Sylvia Reuben, and Paul Stewart.

(L-to-R): Aaliyah Davey, Paul Stewart, Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat, Jaki Adams, and Torres Shire Council CEO Mary Bani.

(L-to-R): Maleta Abednego and Marsat Ketchell from Torres Cape Health and Hospital Service (TCHHS), with Jaki Adams.

(L-to-R): Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chair George Nona, Jaki Adams, TSRA CEO Charlie Caddy, Aaliyah Davey, and Paul Stewart.

Congratulations to 2025 Lowitja Institute
Health and Wellbeing Scholarship recipients

Survey – Looking back to look forward: aspirations for community controlled research

The ‘Looking back to look forward: aspirations for community controlled research’ project is designed to help us understand your needs and how best to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

We have developed a survey designed for people and organisations who have engaged with Lowitja Institute in different ways so that we can understand insights from across the sector.

You are invited to have your say about the priorities, experiences, and aspirations for future health and wellbeing research led by Aboriginal community controlled organisations.

The survey will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. We would welcome your responses from now until April 2026.

Before you proceed, please read the participant information sheet below.

Lowitja Learning Summit: workshop next month on Wiradjuri Country

We are delighted to share an opportunity to be part of a workshop Ngumbaay-dyil Yalbilinya (all together, learn), which will take place taking place on Wiradjuri Country, in Orange, New South Wales, on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 April.

The workshop will focus on growing organisational research capability, infrastructure and strategy as well as building networks between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, students and staff across sectors. 

For the first time, Lowitja Institute brings together Aboriginal Medical Services, Lands Councils, and other ACCOs delivering health and wellbeing services in the Western NSW region, along with mainstream health providers and education and training organisations, to discuss the role of health research and evaluation in underpinning health and wellbeing outcomes for community.

Day one (10am–4.45pm AEST) will focus on shared learning, decolonising research practice and showcasing powerful community-led case studies.

Day two (9.30am–1pm AEST) provides space for facilitated dialogue about Aboriginal community aspirations for research, considering barriers, enablers, and practical next steps. 

Please share this unique opportunity with your networks.

If you have questions regarding the registration process, please contact our team at members@lowitja.org.au

Addressing racism and its impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Our latest policy position paper, Racism and the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, highlights the ongoing and pervasive nature of racism in Australia and the ways systemic racism continues to be experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but particularly our children. The paper calls for urgent action to supporting local, community-led responses and driving systemic reform to protect and promote the wellbeing of our children. 

In late January, we hosted a webinar, 'Protecting our kids: Confronting and challenging racism after 26 January', focusing on what’s needed to protect their futures, highlighting how Aboriginal-led and community-driven solutions can address racism and strengthen communities.

During the event we heard from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, researchers, and community advocates who shared their knowledge and lived experience, and held space for honest conversations about racism, its impacts on children, and the collective action needed to create safer, more just futures.

'Racism erodes confidence, it disrupts relationships, and it narrows a child's sense of what is possible. What is often described as behavioural difficulty is frequently the psychosocial impact of living in a system that doubts, disciplines and devalues you.'

Natalie Lewis, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner

'Racism is everywhere, in everything we do. It's that deficit perception of Aboriginal people. When we speak about black kids being in the system, they talk about black kids being lazy, uneducated, coming with problems. That's racism right there.'

Eddie Betts, Founder, Eddie Betts Foundation

Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation acknowledges
first Registered Nursing graduate

We congratulate Ms Laura Horsburgh on becoming the first Registered Nurse graduate of the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation Nursing Scholarship Program. Laura received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Griffith University, Queensland, in December 2025.

Of receiving a Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation scholarship, Laura said, 'As a proud Aboriginal woman and solo mother of three, receiving this scholarship was truly transformative. I was able to undertake a regional placement in First Nations primary healthcare, the setting I've always dreamed of. My passion for serving mob is exactly why I chose this path.'

Laura has been offered an internship at Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health and aims to continue her nursing career there in the future.

Work for Lowitja Institute

Program Manager – Policy

Program Manager – Communications and Engagement

Jobs

Project Coordinator – Indigenous Genomics, Kids Research Institute Australia, applications close 10 March

Indigenous Media Mentoring Program (IMMP), Australian Science Media Centre, EOI for July program closes 24 March

Commissioning new Indigenous artwork for NHMRC – RFQ, 25 March

Call for papers – Indigenous Health Special Issue July 2026, Medical Journal of Australia, submission deadline 31 March

Australia to United States Scholarships, American Australian Association scholarships, applications close 31 March

Media

Financial pressures threaten future of northside's only Aboriginal Community Controlled health service, Region, 25 February

'Failure belongs to policymakers': Uluru Dialogue co-chairs respond to Closing the Gap report, National Indigenous Times, 12 February

GPs peak body welcomes federal investment in Indigenous health, urges nationwide action to confront racism, National Indigenous Times, 12 February

Announcement of statue, Interview with Deb Edwards, Head of Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation, ABC Adelaide, 6 February (starts at 22 mins)

‘Legacy lives on’: Aboriginal leaders honoured in statues, InDaily, 4 February

Kiawal Toran (our presence our time): The urgency of eliminating racism from the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, IndigenousX, 3 February

Events