We Are More Than a Postcode: Don’t Leave Us Out!
| Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| 8:45 AM - 9:15 AM |
Overview
Professor Faye McMillan AM
Presenter
Professor Faye McMillian AM
UTS Girra Maa Discipline Lead: Professor of Indigenous Health
We Are More Than a Postcode: Don’t Leave Us Out!
Presentation Overview
In a world increasingly driven by data points and demography, communities are often reduced to statistics defined by their remoteness, their socioeconomic status, or even their postcode. But what is lost when we let distance dictate value, or let systems define who is seen and who is left behind?
In this keynote, Professor Faye McMillan Am proud Wiradjuri woman, educator, and mental health advocate invites us to shift the narrative. Drawing on her lived experiences, and academic insight, she will explore how place, identity, and connection are central to mental wellbeing. With a focus on inclusion, equity, and the power of community-led approaches, Professor McMillan challenges us to reimagine mental health systems that genuinely listen to and reflect the people they serve.
This keynote is a call to action: to honour the complexity of communities beyond their postcode, to amplify voices too often ignored, and to never forget that healing and strength are deeply rooted in belonging.
In this keynote, Professor Faye McMillan Am proud Wiradjuri woman, educator, and mental health advocate invites us to shift the narrative. Drawing on her lived experiences, and academic insight, she will explore how place, identity, and connection are central to mental wellbeing. With a focus on inclusion, equity, and the power of community-led approaches, Professor McMillan challenges us to reimagine mental health systems that genuinely listen to and reflect the people they serve.
This keynote is a call to action: to honour the complexity of communities beyond their postcode, to amplify voices too often ignored, and to never forget that healing and strength are deeply rooted in belonging.
Biography
I am a proud Wiradjuri yinaa (woman) originally from Trangie, NSW, now living and working between rural/regional and urban NSW. In 23/24 I completed the Harkness Fellowship program with the Commonwealth Fund in the US. During my year in the United States, I conducted internationally comparative research on a key health care delivery or policy issue with mentorship from leading U.S. experts. I examined Rural and Remote workforce development and the participation of First Peoples in the health workforce with a particular focus on the profession of pharmacy. I was named as the PSA Australian Pharmacist of the Year in 2022. In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours List I was awarded the Medal (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for "significant service to Indigenous Mental Health, and to tertiary education". Furthermore, in March of 2021, In June of this year I stepped down as the Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner for Allied Health and First Nations Health. In 2019 I was honoured to be named as the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the year. I am a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity (Atlantic Institute), aSenior Harkness Fellow as well as being a Senior Fellow with Advance HE. I am a founding member of Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) and was a board member of IAHA from 2009-2017 (and chairperson from 2010-2016). I joined UTS in Oct 2022 with over 20 years of experience in the Higher Education Sector and over 30 years in the health sector.
