Keynote Session 2
| Tuesday, October 31, 2023 |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Overview
Session Chair: Lateesha Jeffrey
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Breaking Barriers in Remote Australia by Creating Opportunities
Liandra Gaykamangu, Founder & Creative Director, LIANDRA Swim
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
*VIRTUAL* Empowering Indigenous Excellence:
Sharon Finnan-White's Journey and the First Nations Academy of Excellence.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Championing Indigenous Wellbeing Steven Johnson, Chair of Ipswitch Jets & Arthur Beetson Foundation, Director of Qld Law Group
Speaker
Sharon Finnan-White OAM
MAICD Managing Director and Founder
Sharon Finnan-White First Nations Academy of Excellence
Empowering Indigenous Excellence: Sharon Finnan-White's Journey and the First Nations Academy of Excellence
Abstract
Introduction: This abstract introduces Sharon Finnan-White OAM, an influential figure in Indigenous sports, highlighting her challenges, netball journey, and success within the Indigenous sporting community. It also emphasizes her impactful work with young Indigenous netballers through the Sharon Finnan-White First Nations Academy of Excellence and other programs she has initiated over the past two decades.
Purpose: In line with the conference's theme, "Our Voices | Our Solutions | Our Decisions | Our Time," this presentation aims to shed light on Sharon's inspiring journey and the significant strides she's made in Indigenous netball. It seeks to inspire unity and purpose among the conference audience.
Method: The presentation will employ a narrative approach, weaving together Sharon's personal experiences, challenges she faced, and her transformation into a prominent figure in Indigenous netball. It will also highlight her dedication to nurturing the next generation of Indigenous netball talent through her First Nations Academy of Excellence.
Result: Through Sharon's story, the presentation will underscore the importance of grassroots, Indigenous-led practices and national, state, and local initiatives. It will demonstrate how individuals like Sharon can play a pivotal role in bridging gaps, strengthening cultural connections, and empowering Indigenous communities to develop solutions for healthier, more culturally vibrant lives.
Conclusion: Sharon Finnan-White's journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of Indigenous athletes and leaders. Her work with the First Nations Academy of Excellence and other initiatives, exemplifies the potential for positive change within Indigenous communities. By sharing her story and insights, this presentation aims to inspire the conference audience to take active roles in closing the gap, preserving culture, and rekindling the spirit of Indigenous communities.
Purpose: In line with the conference's theme, "Our Voices | Our Solutions | Our Decisions | Our Time," this presentation aims to shed light on Sharon's inspiring journey and the significant strides she's made in Indigenous netball. It seeks to inspire unity and purpose among the conference audience.
Method: The presentation will employ a narrative approach, weaving together Sharon's personal experiences, challenges she faced, and her transformation into a prominent figure in Indigenous netball. It will also highlight her dedication to nurturing the next generation of Indigenous netball talent through her First Nations Academy of Excellence.
Result: Through Sharon's story, the presentation will underscore the importance of grassroots, Indigenous-led practices and national, state, and local initiatives. It will demonstrate how individuals like Sharon can play a pivotal role in bridging gaps, strengthening cultural connections, and empowering Indigenous communities to develop solutions for healthier, more culturally vibrant lives.
Conclusion: Sharon Finnan-White's journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of Indigenous athletes and leaders. Her work with the First Nations Academy of Excellence and other initiatives, exemplifies the potential for positive change within Indigenous communities. By sharing her story and insights, this presentation aims to inspire the conference audience to take active roles in closing the gap, preserving culture, and rekindling the spirit of Indigenous communities.
Biography
Sharon is a descendant of the Dunghutti, Biripi and Gumbaynggirr language groups from the mid-north coast of NSW. She was a member of the victorious Australian Netball Diamonds World Cup teams in 1991 and 1999, Commonwealth Games team in 1990 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the sport of netball. As one of only three Aboriginal women to represent the Diamonds, Sharon’s passion and vision is to create ongoing opportunities and advocate for the current and future generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women to achieve excellence in netball and other areas of their life. Sharon’s industry experience spans over three decades, working in the private, public and community sectors, including state government, educational and financial institutions, not for profit organisations, media and sport.
Liandra Gaykamangu
Founder // Creative Director
LIANDRA
Breaking Barriers in Remote Australia by Creating Opportunities To come...
Abstract
Sit with Liandra Gaykamangu, a Yolngu woman from Arnhem Land and the Founder and Creative Director of eponymous brand Liandra, and learn how she uses her business to help overcome challenges in remote Australia by unlocking a world of boundless opportunity.
Gaykamangu has garnered partnerships with Canva, Afterpay and David Jones and has shown Liandra at Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Festival and at Australian Fashion Week for the past three consecutive years. In 2023 Liandra was named 1-of-4 2023 Next Gen winners at Australian Fashion Week; which is an award acknowledging the next wave of exciting Australian designers. Gaykamangu also utilises her brand to create space for internationally renowned fashion leaders to work side-by-side with remote Indigenous people, where amazing bodies of work are created that lead to impactful and lasting opportunities. This includes the recent Vogue Australia September cover-star, Tarlisa Gaykamangu, who was scouted through Gaykamangu’s work in remote Australia, having since walked the runway of Milan Fashion Week for Bottega Veneta in February 2023.
Gaykamangu has garnered partnerships with Canva, Afterpay and David Jones and has shown Liandra at Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Festival and at Australian Fashion Week for the past three consecutive years. In 2023 Liandra was named 1-of-4 2023 Next Gen winners at Australian Fashion Week; which is an award acknowledging the next wave of exciting Australian designers. Gaykamangu also utilises her brand to create space for internationally renowned fashion leaders to work side-by-side with remote Indigenous people, where amazing bodies of work are created that lead to impactful and lasting opportunities. This includes the recent Vogue Australia September cover-star, Tarlisa Gaykamangu, who was scouted through Gaykamangu’s work in remote Australia, having since walked the runway of Milan Fashion Week for Bottega Veneta in February 2023.
Biography
Liandra is a Yolŋu woman from East Arnhem Land and the founder and creative director of Liandra Swim, an eco-conscious designer swimwear label that fuses contemporary Aboriginal art and swimwear fashion. Liandra Swim allows people, from all walks of life, to authentically engage and connect with Australian Indigenous culture in a new and exciting environment. Liandra Swim has already been featured in Vogue US, Elle Italy, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire. The fast-growing label has also showcased at 2021-2023 Australian Afterpay Fashion Week runways, with 2023 the label being recognised as a Next Gen winner.
Liandra Gaykamaŋu is also an Executive Director of Enterprise Learning Projects (ELP), where she transitioned from a Co-CEO role at the beginning of 2023. During her time with ELP Liandra oversaw the creation and delivery of a Incubation and Mentorship programs in remote Indigenous communities across the North of Australia.
Liandra is also a qualified English/History high school teacher and has seven years experience in the education industry, with teaching stints in metro New South Wales and the remote Northern Territory. She is passionate about education and strongly believes knowledge is power.
Steven Johnson
Director & Founder
Qld Law Group
Championing Indigenous Wellbeing
Abstract
Legacy & Initiatives:
Improving Indigenous health, wellbeing and the future of the sector.
Co-founded the groundbreaking "Turn To Me" mental awareness campaign under QRL — the game's inaugural mental well-being initiative.
Instrumental in the termination of the NRL’s National Youth Competition.
Co-created the Queensland Police-endorsed HOLLA program, targeting Pasifika youth.
Ipswich Jets, under Steven's leadership, has been at the forefront in prioritising player well-being.
Arthur Beetson Foundation:
Orchestrated the "Future Immortals Tour" in collaboration with NRL, designed to aid retired NRL players in their mental well-being by fostering community connections.
Established strong partnerships with prominent government agencies, academic institutions, and charities such as Health and Wellbeing Qld, Qld Aboriginal and Islander Health Commission, the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (Deadly Choices), QUT, and UNSW to roll out impactful programs.
Founded and oversees the grand Queensland Murri Carnival, the largest Indigenous Australian gathering in Queensland, aimed at empowering Indigenous Australians for improved health, education, and vocational outcomes.
The foundation's noble endeavours also span into the prison system, leveraging art and touch rugby league as tools for rehabilitation.
Improving Indigenous health, wellbeing and the future of the sector.
Co-founded the groundbreaking "Turn To Me" mental awareness campaign under QRL — the game's inaugural mental well-being initiative.
Instrumental in the termination of the NRL’s National Youth Competition.
Co-created the Queensland Police-endorsed HOLLA program, targeting Pasifika youth.
Ipswich Jets, under Steven's leadership, has been at the forefront in prioritising player well-being.
Arthur Beetson Foundation:
Orchestrated the "Future Immortals Tour" in collaboration with NRL, designed to aid retired NRL players in their mental well-being by fostering community connections.
Established strong partnerships with prominent government agencies, academic institutions, and charities such as Health and Wellbeing Qld, Qld Aboriginal and Islander Health Commission, the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (Deadly Choices), QUT, and UNSW to roll out impactful programs.
Founded and oversees the grand Queensland Murri Carnival, the largest Indigenous Australian gathering in Queensland, aimed at empowering Indigenous Australians for improved health, education, and vocational outcomes.
The foundation's noble endeavours also span into the prison system, leveraging art and touch rugby league as tools for rehabilitation.
Biography
Steven is a lawyer by trade but has spent a lifetime actively involved in sport; particularly rugby league.
He is currently the chair of the Ipswich Jets who are the Queensland affiliate club of the Sydney Roosters and the chair of the Arthur Beetson Foundation and previously was in charge of the USA international program taking the USA from no where to a world ranking of 7 at the 2013 World Cup. Steven has also worked closely with the governing bodies of the Pacific Island nations and Hawaii.
Across all of this Steven has been passionate about using rugby league as the driver of better life outcomes and mental well being across the game. Steven was the co founder of the QRL’s Turn To Me mental awareness campaign (the games very first mental well being program), one of the drivers of the NRL’s National Youth Competition ending, and the co founder of the Queensland Police supported HOLLA program aimed at Pasifika youth and his club the Ipswich Jets is widely recognised for its leading the way in player well being.
The Arthur Beetson Foundation, with the sanctioning of the NRL, has set up a Future Immortals Tour to assist retired NRL players connect with community to help their mental well being and works in partnership with peak government bodies, universities and charities like Health and Wellbeing Qld, Qld Aboriginal and Islander Health Commission and the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (Deadly Choices),QUT and UNSW to deliver programs.
The Arthur Beetson Foundation set up and runs the biggest Indigenous Australian gathering in Queensland; the annual Queensland Murri Carnival to help it and its partners to empower Indigenous Australians to better life outcome in health, education and vocation. The Foundation also does valuable work in the prison system through art and touch rugby league.
