I’m in Sydney today for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Roundtableconvened by Lowitja Institute.
We brought together state and territory health ministers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health representatives, and the Hon Mark Butler MP, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, for a roundtable discussion.
The day focused on strengthening partnerships between governments and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, as well as examining critical health priorities and the system reforms required to address them. With seven state and territory health ministers having served less than two years in their current roles, the roundtable provided a valuable opportunity to build relationships and discuss these issues.
We appreciate our political representatives and community leaders meeting face-to-face to strengthen partnerships, identifycritical gaps and discuss opportunities for reform. As a community controlled organisation with strong relationships across the sector, Lowitja Institute was proud to use its unique and trusted position to coordinate today’s event.
Another key event that we are working on is Lowitja Institute’s 5th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference. We’ve received a warm and enthusiastic response to the recent unveiling of the artwork and theme for the conference, which will be held in Garramilla (Darwin) on Larrakia Country from8–10June 2027. The call for abstracts is open until Friday 23 October. Will we pass the 475 submissions we received for our 2025 conference?
Nominations have also opened for the 2027 Lowitja Institute Awards, and I encourage you to put forward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing researchers and leaders making outstanding contributions. Nominations close on Friday 16 October, with winners to be announced at the Lowitja Conference gala event. You can learn more about award categories, the conference theme, and the artists behind the great artwork on the website.
I’d like to also acknowledge the sponsors who make this massive event possible. If your business or organisation would like to get involved, reach out for more information.
ngun-godjin
(thank you)
Paul Stewart
CEO
Larrakia Country set for 5th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference
Join us from 8–10 June 2027 on Larrakia Country in Garramilla (Darwin) for an inspiring gathering of leaders, knowledge holders, and advocates committed to advancing Indigenous health and wellbeing.
With more than 1,300 delegates attending our conference in 2025 from across Australia and the world, we are looking forward to once again creating a safe space to share innovative ideas and transformational research grounded in our ways of knowing, being, and doing.
Nominate for the Lowitja Institute Awards
Lowitja Institute celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and excellence throughout our work. As Australia’s national community controlled health and wellbeing research institute, the biennial conference awards recognise outstanding contributions to the field of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing research.
The Lowitja Institute Awards showcase research that is culturally, ethically, and intellectually rigorous and for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
We are calling for nominations for the following categories:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Leadership Award
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Award
Pat Anderson Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researcher Award
Tarrn-doon-nonin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Project Award
Nominations close on 16 October 2026.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit the conference website.
Lowitja Institute’s 5th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference is a biennial event attracting a global audience committed to sharing knowledge for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and communities from around the world. It is a space for sharing innovative ideas and transformational research grounded in our ways of knowing, being and doing.
We invite abstract submissions under the following presentation types:
Oral presentations
Interactive workshops
Poster displays
We encourage presentations led by Indigenous peoples that demonstrate Indigenous leadership, have a strengths-based approach and contribute to the improvement of the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples. See our conference website for further information on our submission guidelines, terms and conditions, and selection criteria.
Our conference will prioritise Indigenous-led research for and by our peoples and showcase a program of prominent national and international speakers as well as offer delegates a rich cultural and social program that celebrates the strengths of our peoples.
Please consider supporting the conference by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor, and show your commitment to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples.
Congratulations 2026 Lowitja Institute Health and Wellbeing Scholarship recipients
Ten scholars have been awarded a 2026 Lowitja Institute Health and Wellbeing Scholarship, including one Graduate Certificate Scholarship and nine Higher Degree Research Top-Up Scholarships.
The following scholar was the recipient of a Graduate Certificate Scholarship:
Justine Anderson, University of Sunshine Coast
The following nine scholars were recipients of a Higher Degree Research Top-Up Scholarship:
Candice Butler, PhD, University of Technology Sydney
Patricia Wall, PhD, Curtin University
Tammy Hatherill, PhD, the University of Queensland
Jariah Kaissis, PhD, the University of Queensland
Lukas Williams, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Kaitlyn McVicar, PhD, Monash University
Niirrany Walker, PhD, University of New South Wales
Naomi Thornthwaite, PhD, the University of South Australia
Lowitja Journal webinar: How to Respond to Reviewers' Feedback
Join us on 23 September (10–11am AEST) for our next Lowitja Journal webinar in which Dr Chontel Gibson will provide practical strategies for addressing reviewer feedback clearly, professionally, and respectfully.
Participants will learn how to prepare an effective response letter, structure point-by-point replies, justify decisions when they choose not to make a suggested change, and avoid common mistakes that can delay publication
The session will include practical examples and tips to help researchers navigate revisions with confidence.
Lowitja Institute is calling for expressions of interest from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members to fill vacancies (current and future) on our Research Committee, which is one of the governance committees established by the Lowitja Institute Board of Directors under the Constitution.
Membership The Research Committee membership will reflect the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and research and knowledge translation experience across relevant disciplines such as social and cultural determinants of health, education, early childhood and social justice, combined with an understanding of Lowitja Institute’s history and strategic directions. The Research Committee also seeks to have balance across population groups.
Positions available The Research Committee comprises a Board Director, appointed by the Board as Chair, and up to seven Committee Members. There are currently two Committee Members positions available to fill and we are also looking to establish a register of interest for when vacancies present themselves. EOIs will remain current for 12 months. Committee Members are to be approved by the Board and appointed for one two-year term (with multiple terms possible).
Application process Persons interested in responding to this EOI needs to submit a current CV, together with a covering email outlining interest, relevant skills and expertise.
The closing date is 30 September 2026 (midnight AEST)
Professor Dawn Bessarab presents 'Yarning about Yarning in Research' seminar in Boorloo
Our 'Yarning about Yarning in Research' seminar, presented by Professor Dawn Bessarab, took place in Boorloo (Perth) last month. Professor Bessarab, a descendant of the Bard (West Kimberley) and Yindijibarndi (Pilbara) language groups, is a researcher and educator with extensive experience and knowledge of Indigenous research methodologies.
Participants deeply valued the rich learning, connecting and knowledge sharing opportunity, with researchers sharing that they went away with approaches they can apply in their work
Our first members networking event for this financial year immediately followed the workshop. Professor Pat Dudgeon attended and shared her expertise in social and emotional wellbeing research and practice.
OCHRe Convocation on Wurundjeri Country
The upcoming OCHRe Convocation will take place on 15–16 October on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm. This two-day event is an opportunity to connect with colleagues and partners from across the research sector, share insights, spark collaboration, and draw inspiration.
Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), OCHRe is a national network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers that comprises four operational hubs, each driving innovation and excellence in their fields. Lowitja Institute leads the OWL (Our Wisdom Leading) Hub.
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