Indigenous Wellbeing: Identity, Culture, and Collaboration
| Tuesday, October 21, 2025 |
| 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM |
| Kookaburra Room (M3) |
Overview
Preston Campbell OAM, Former NRL Player & Founder of the Preston Campbell Foundation & Kyle Slabb, Founder, Director, and Cultural Facilitator, Banaam
Presenter
Preston Campbell
Executive
Nortec
Indigenous Wellbeing: Identity, Culture, and Collaboration
Presentation Overview
Join Kyle Slabb (Banaam) and Preston Campbell (Preston Campbell Foundation) for a powerful presentation exploring Indigenous wellbeing through the lenses of identity, holistic health, and Indigenous cultural intelligence.
Drawing from their extensive experience working with First Nations communities, Kyle and Preston will share insights into the interconnected roles of mental, social, and emotional health in fostering resilience and strength among Indigenous Australians.
This presentation will weave personal stories, cultural wisdom, and practical strategies to highlight how connection to Country, culture, spirituality, and ancestry serves as a foundation for wellbeing.
The session will address the unique challenges facing First Nations Australians, including systemic barriers to mental health and the ongoing impact of disconnection from traditional ways of being.
Kyle and Preston will reflect on how government policies and initiatives can better support community-led services, emphasising the need to listen to those delivering solutions on the ground.
Designed to inspire multi-sectoral collaboration, this presentation will create an engaging space for yarning, encouraging participants to share and gather knowledge in a culturally grounded way.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Understanding identity and connection: Participants will explore how a strong sense of identity—rooted in Country, culture, and ancestry—enhances holistic wellbeing and supports mental and emotional resilience.
2. Applying Indigenous cultural intelligence: Attendees will gain practical insights into embedding Indigenous cultural frameworks in workplaces and services to improve outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
3. Collaborative solutions for wellbeing: Discover the importance of cross-sector partnerships and community feedback in shaping effective policies and initiatives that uplift First Nations health and social outcomes
This presentation will equip attendees with actionable insights to take back to their workplaces.
Drawing from their extensive experience working with First Nations communities, Kyle and Preston will share insights into the interconnected roles of mental, social, and emotional health in fostering resilience and strength among Indigenous Australians.
This presentation will weave personal stories, cultural wisdom, and practical strategies to highlight how connection to Country, culture, spirituality, and ancestry serves as a foundation for wellbeing.
The session will address the unique challenges facing First Nations Australians, including systemic barriers to mental health and the ongoing impact of disconnection from traditional ways of being.
Kyle and Preston will reflect on how government policies and initiatives can better support community-led services, emphasising the need to listen to those delivering solutions on the ground.
Designed to inspire multi-sectoral collaboration, this presentation will create an engaging space for yarning, encouraging participants to share and gather knowledge in a culturally grounded way.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Understanding identity and connection: Participants will explore how a strong sense of identity—rooted in Country, culture, and ancestry—enhances holistic wellbeing and supports mental and emotional resilience.
2. Applying Indigenous cultural intelligence: Attendees will gain practical insights into embedding Indigenous cultural frameworks in workplaces and services to improve outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
3. Collaborative solutions for wellbeing: Discover the importance of cross-sector partnerships and community feedback in shaping effective policies and initiatives that uplift First Nations health and social outcomes
This presentation will equip attendees with actionable insights to take back to their workplaces.
Biography
Preston Campbell OAM, born in Inverell, NSW, is a former NRL star, playing 267 games for the Gold Coast Chargers, Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers (2003 NRL Premiership winner), and Gold Coast Titans. Renowned for his 2001 Dally M Player of the Year award and 2008 Ken Stephen Medal, he founded the Preston Campbell Foundation in 2015 to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through cultural connection and wellbeing programs. A mental health advocate, Preston shares his journey to inspire communities, promoting resilience and cultural pride.
Mr Kyle Slabb
Director
Banaam Alliance
Indigenous Wellbeing: Identity, Culture, and Collaboration
Presentation Overview
Join Kyle Slabb (Banaam) and Preston Campbell (Preston Campbell Foundation) for a powerful presentation exploring Indigenous wellbeing through the lenses of identity, holistic health, and Indigenous cultural intelligence.
Drawing from their extensive experience working with First Nations communities, Kyle and Preston will share insights into the interconnected roles of mental, social, and emotional health in fostering resilience and strength among Indigenous Australians.
This presentation will weave personal stories, cultural wisdom, and practical strategies to highlight how connection to Country, culture, spirituality, and ancestry serves as a foundation for wellbeing.
The session will address the unique challenges facing First Nations Australians, including systemic barriers to mental health and the ongoing impact of disconnection from traditional ways of being.
Kyle and Preston will reflect on how government policies and initiatives can better support community-led services, emphasising the need to listen to those delivering solutions on the ground.
Designed to inspire multi-sectoral collaboration, this presentation will create an engaging space for yarning, encouraging participants to share and gather knowledge in a culturally grounded way.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Understanding identity and connection: Participants will explore how a strong sense of identity—rooted in Country, culture, and ancestry—enhances holistic wellbeing and supports mental and emotional resilience.
2. Applying Indigenous cultural intelligence: Attendees will gain practical insights into embedding Indigenous cultural frameworks in workplaces and services to improve outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
3. Collaborative solutions for wellbeing: Discover the importance of cross-sector partnerships and community feedback in shaping effective policies and initiatives that uplift First Nations health and social outcomes
This presentation will equip attendees with actionable insights to take back to their workplaces.
Drawing from their extensive experience working with First Nations communities, Kyle and Preston will share insights into the interconnected roles of mental, social, and emotional health in fostering resilience and strength among Indigenous Australians.
This presentation will weave personal stories, cultural wisdom, and practical strategies to highlight how connection to Country, culture, spirituality, and ancestry serves as a foundation for wellbeing.
The session will address the unique challenges facing First Nations Australians, including systemic barriers to mental health and the ongoing impact of disconnection from traditional ways of being.
Kyle and Preston will reflect on how government policies and initiatives can better support community-led services, emphasising the need to listen to those delivering solutions on the ground.
Designed to inspire multi-sectoral collaboration, this presentation will create an engaging space for yarning, encouraging participants to share and gather knowledge in a culturally grounded way.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Understanding identity and connection: Participants will explore how a strong sense of identity—rooted in Country, culture, and ancestry—enhances holistic wellbeing and supports mental and emotional resilience.
2. Applying Indigenous cultural intelligence: Attendees will gain practical insights into embedding Indigenous cultural frameworks in workplaces and services to improve outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
3. Collaborative solutions for wellbeing: Discover the importance of cross-sector partnerships and community feedback in shaping effective policies and initiatives that uplift First Nations health and social outcomes
This presentation will equip attendees with actionable insights to take back to their workplaces.
Biography
Kyle Slabb is the Founder, Director, and Cultural Facilitator at Banaam. A respected Bundjalung man, Kyle is dedicated to fostering cultural identity and inclusivity within communities and workplaces. Through Banaam, he shares Indigenous knowledge and traditions, enhancing cultural understanding and engagement. Kyle's work emphasises the importance of "right relationship" with people and the land, aiming to build inclusive and diverse cultures. His efforts have significantly impacted various sectors, promoting a deeper appreciation of Indigenous heritage and values.
