You Are Loved: Centring Culture, Collaboration and Lived Experience in Rural Mental Health Support
Tracks
Grand Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
| Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| 9:45 AM - 10:05 AM |
Overview
Donna Taylor, Cathy Duncan and Kenneth Knox, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation
Presenter
Cathy Duncan
Chair
Pius X Aboriginal Corporation
You Are Loved: Centring Culture, Collaboration and Lived Experience in Rural Mental Health Support
Presentation Overview
In response to a devastating mental health crisis impacting Moree, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation presents You Are Loved – an innovative documentary film created by community, for community. Centred on the lived experience of three families impacted by suicide, the film represents an innovative and community-led initiative that utilises cultural traditions to capture the complex journey of grief, resilience and healing.
The presentation will feature the film trailer and provide insight from the CEO and Board about the collaborative process to design a culturally safe and meaningful response. A dynamic First Nations-led initiative that brings together lived experience and professional expertise, grounded in cultural traditions of storytelling, to create a culturally safe model of support focused on education, awareness and support.
Key Learnings:
• Harnessing Community Stories – Drawing upon First Nations oral traditions, this initiative demonstrates how lived experiences can be harnessed to create a powerful tool for education, reducing stigma and strengthening connection and resilience.
• Centring Cultural Safety – Training health professionals using local lived experience increases trust, improves service delivery and strengthens culturally responsive care.
• Empowering Communities through Collaboration– Local leadership, collaboration and ownership are critical to the success and strength of culturally-informed, place-based mental health responses.
This presentation contributes to the national dialogue on rural mental health by demonstrating how First Nations-led innovation and collaboration can reshape peer support models. You Are Loved is not only a film, but also a compelling example of how inclusive, community-based approaches can transform how we respond to mental health in rural and remote Australia.
The presentation will feature the film trailer and provide insight from the CEO and Board about the collaborative process to design a culturally safe and meaningful response. A dynamic First Nations-led initiative that brings together lived experience and professional expertise, grounded in cultural traditions of storytelling, to create a culturally safe model of support focused on education, awareness and support.
Key Learnings:
• Harnessing Community Stories – Drawing upon First Nations oral traditions, this initiative demonstrates how lived experiences can be harnessed to create a powerful tool for education, reducing stigma and strengthening connection and resilience.
• Centring Cultural Safety – Training health professionals using local lived experience increases trust, improves service delivery and strengthens culturally responsive care.
• Empowering Communities through Collaboration– Local leadership, collaboration and ownership are critical to the success and strength of culturally-informed, place-based mental health responses.
This presentation contributes to the national dialogue on rural mental health by demonstrating how First Nations-led innovation and collaboration can reshape peer support models. You Are Loved is not only a film, but also a compelling example of how inclusive, community-based approaches can transform how we respond to mental health in rural and remote Australia.
Biography
Cathy Duncan, a proud Gamilaroi woman from Moree, has led Pius X Aboriginal Corporation as Chair for over a decade. A passionate advocate for her community, Cathy brings extensive experience across government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors, with a strong focus on employment and training. As founding CEO of the Aboriginal Employment Strategy, she helped establish Australia’s first Aboriginal School-Based Traineeship in banking. Drawing on her lived experience as a carer, Cathy champions accessible, holistic healthcare. Cathy continues to drive growth, equity and opportunity reflecting her enduring commitment to culturally safe care and community-led change.
Ms Donna Taylor
Ceo
Pius X Aboriginal Corporation
You Are Loved: Centring Culture, Collaboration and Lived Experience in Rural Mental Health Support
Presentation Overview
In response to a devastating mental health crisis impacting Moree, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation presents You Are Loved – an innovative documentary film created by community, for community. Centred on the lived experience of three families impacted by suicide, the film represents an innovative and community-led initiative that utilises cultural traditions to capture the complex journey of grief, resilience and healing.
The presentation will feature the film trailer and provide insight from the CEO and Board about the collaborative process to design a culturally safe and meaningful response. A dynamic First Nations-led initiative that brings together lived experience and professional expertise, grounded in cultural traditions of storytelling, to create a culturally safe model of support focused on education, awareness and support.
Key Learnings:
• Harnessing Community Stories – Drawing upon First Nations oral traditions, this initiative demonstrates how lived experiences can be harnessed to create a powerful tool for education, reducing stigma and strengthening connection and resilience.
• Centring Cultural Safety – Training health professionals using local lived experience increases trust, improves service delivery and strengthens culturally responsive care.
• Empowering Communities through Collaboration– Local leadership, collaboration and ownership are critical to the success and strength of culturally-informed, place-based mental health responses.
This presentation contributes to the national dialogue on rural mental health by demonstrating how First Nations-led innovation and collaboration can reshape peer support models. You Are Loved is not only a film, but also a compelling example of how inclusive, community-based approaches can transform how we respond to mental health in rural and remote Australia.
The presentation will feature the film trailer and provide insight from the CEO and Board about the collaborative process to design a culturally safe and meaningful response. A dynamic First Nations-led initiative that brings together lived experience and professional expertise, grounded in cultural traditions of storytelling, to create a culturally safe model of support focused on education, awareness and support.
Key Learnings:
• Harnessing Community Stories – Drawing upon First Nations oral traditions, this initiative demonstrates how lived experiences can be harnessed to create a powerful tool for education, reducing stigma and strengthening connection and resilience.
• Centring Cultural Safety – Training health professionals using local lived experience increases trust, improves service delivery and strengthens culturally responsive care.
• Empowering Communities through Collaboration– Local leadership, collaboration and ownership are critical to the success and strength of culturally-informed, place-based mental health responses.
This presentation contributes to the national dialogue on rural mental health by demonstrating how First Nations-led innovation and collaboration can reshape peer support models. You Are Loved is not only a film, but also a compelling example of how inclusive, community-based approaches can transform how we respond to mental health in rural and remote Australia.
Biography
Donna Taylor, a proud Gamilaroi woman from Moree, has led transformative change in rural healthcare during her 20 years as CEO of Pius X Aboriginal Corporation. Committed to removing barriers faced by First Nations peoples, she has significantly expanded access to specialist and allied health services. Her leadership has broadened the service footprint through Outreach Services, ensuring continuity of care closer to home. Awarded the 2023 PHN Primary Care Leader – Individual, Donna’s leadership continues to shape a more equitable, community-led model of rural healthcare delivery.
Kenneth Knox
Deputy Chair
Pius X Aboriginal Corporation
You Are Loved: Centring Culture, Collaboration and Lived Experience in Rural Mental Health Support
Presentation Overview
In response to a devastating mental health crisis impacting Moree, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation presents You Are Loved – an innovative documentary film created by community, for community. Centred on the lived experience of three families impacted by suicide, the film represents an innovative and community-led initiative that utilises cultural traditions to capture the complex journey of grief, resilience and healing.
The presentation will feature the film trailer and provide insight from the CEO and Board about the collaborative process to design a culturally safe and meaningful response. A dynamic First Nations-led initiative that brings together lived experience and professional expertise, grounded in cultural traditions of storytelling, to create a culturally safe model of support focused on education, awareness and support.
Key Learnings:
• Harnessing Community Stories – Drawing upon First Nations oral traditions, this initiative demonstrates how lived experiences can be harnessed to create a powerful tool for education, reducing stigma and strengthening connection and resilience.
• Centring Cultural Safety – Training health professionals using local lived experience increases trust, improves service delivery and strengthens culturally responsive care.
• Empowering Communities through Collaboration– Local leadership, collaboration and ownership are critical to the success and strength of culturally-informed, place-based mental health responses.
This presentation contributes to the national dialogue on rural mental health by demonstrating how First Nations-led innovation and collaboration can reshape peer support models. You Are Loved is not only a film, but also a compelling example of how inclusive, community-based approaches can transform how we respond to mental health in rural and remote Australia.
The presentation will feature the film trailer and provide insight from the CEO and Board about the collaborative process to design a culturally safe and meaningful response. A dynamic First Nations-led initiative that brings together lived experience and professional expertise, grounded in cultural traditions of storytelling, to create a culturally safe model of support focused on education, awareness and support.
Key Learnings:
• Harnessing Community Stories – Drawing upon First Nations oral traditions, this initiative demonstrates how lived experiences can be harnessed to create a powerful tool for education, reducing stigma and strengthening connection and resilience.
• Centring Cultural Safety – Training health professionals using local lived experience increases trust, improves service delivery and strengthens culturally responsive care.
• Empowering Communities through Collaboration– Local leadership, collaboration and ownership are critical to the success and strength of culturally-informed, place-based mental health responses.
This presentation contributes to the national dialogue on rural mental health by demonstrating how First Nations-led innovation and collaboration can reshape peer support models. You Are Loved is not only a film, but also a compelling example of how inclusive, community-based approaches can transform how we respond to mental health in rural and remote Australia.
Biography
Kenneth Knox, a proud Gamilaroi man from Moree, is Deputy Chair of Pius X Aboriginal Corporation and represents the third generation of his family to serve the organisation. As one of the youngest Directors, Kenneth brings vision and fresh leadership to the Board. Combining his Social Work studies with professional experience in housing, aged care, youth justice and healthcare, Kenneth offers both lived and learned insight. Kenneth has championed improved health outcomes through roles with AH&MRC and as founding Business Managed at NATSIACC. A passionate advocate for culturally safe, self-determined care, he is shaping a strong future for Pius X.
