Lowitja Institute and Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation are proud to partner again with the Don Dunstan Foundation to present this significant Reconciliation Week event, dedicated to the legacy of the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.
It has certainly been a big few weeks for us here at Lowitja Institute, with a trip to New York for a UN forum and the election, and a busy time ahead with the conference almost a month away. Personally, I am feeling optimistic about the possibilities to further Indigenous policies and agendas for improving health outcomes both locally and internationally.
Lowitja Institute congratulates the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP on his re-election as Australian Prime Minister following the weekend’s dramatic federal election. We look forward to resuming conversations with the Labor Government to address the Closing the Gap priorities Lowitja Institute outlined prior to the election.
I recently represented Lowitja Institute at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), an annual gathering where Indigenous delegates advocate for policy changes through truth-telling and global collaboration. It was a powerful experience to meet and spend time with international delegates, some of whom – like Lowitja Institute – are pushing for better outcomes for First Nations communities. I presented Lowitja Institute’s intervention calling for action regarding increased Indigenous control and ownership of Indigenous health and population data, as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
We are nearly at capacity for the Lowitja Institute’s 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference being held in Adelaide, Kaurna Country, South Australia on 16–19 June. If you haven’t registered yet, we’d love for you to join us!
ngun-godjin
(thank you)
Paul Stewart
CEO
Keynote speakers announced for the conference
We are excited to welcome Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Donnella Mills as keynote speakers at our 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2025.
Linda is a leading Māori scholar and internationally recognised for her ground-breaking work in Decolonising Methodologies, Kaupapa Māori, and Mana Wahine, Linda’s impact has resonated across the globe. Her work continues to centre Indigenous knowledges, education, and empowerment.
Donnella is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with family ties to Masig and Nagir, Donnella is the Chair of NACCHO, a strong advocate for justice and community controlled health, and a dedicated legal professional. Her career spans frontline legal work, pioneering health justice partnerships, and national leadership roles that continue to shape policy and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We're honoured to have them join us and look forward to their presentations at the conference. Register now so you can hear Linda and Donnella, and connect with thought leaders from across the globe.
The Lowitja Journal webinar 'Ethical Publishing Practices – why they are needed to advance Indigenous health' is now available online.
Hear Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy and Associate Professor Raglan Maddox address historical and contemporary unethical publishing practices and provide practical steps individual researchers and research teams can make to upholding ethical publishing practices.
A/Prof Kennedy (Wiradjuri) is the Assistant Dean Indigenous Strategy and Leadership for the College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing at the University of Newcastle, and Strategic Research Advisor at Lowitja Institute.
A/Prof Maddox (Bagumani (Modewa) Clans, Papua New Guinea) is a public health researcher whose work focuses on the development, implementation and analysis of Indigenous-led, population-based health research using community-driven processes, with a focus on tobacco and vaping.
New study finds access to cultural medicines can help close the gap in health outcomes for First Nations peoples
In a new study, proud Truwulway woman and Southern Cross University researcher Dr Alana Gall highlights the opportunity for national health policies to better recognise and support cultural medicines.
First Peoples’ cultural medicines – the oldest continuing medicines practiced in the world – play a vital role in holistic health and wellbeing, connecting mind, body, spirit, family, community and Country.
With stronger policy leadership, all health professionals could be empowered to support culturally safe care and help close the health gap through connection to culture and Country.
Lowitja Institute and Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation are proud to partner again with the Don Dunstan Foundation to present this significant Reconciliation Week event, dedicated to the legacy of the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.
The Oration serves as a platform to highlight critical issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, continuing Dr O’Donoghue’s lifetime of work pursuing social justice and equality. This year, Romlie Mokak will deliver the address, reflecting on pressing challenges and inspiring action for positive change.
Romlie is a Djugan man and a member of the Yawuru people. He is a former CEO of Lowitja Institute and recently completed his five-year term as the first Aboriginal Commissioner at the Productivity Commission.
Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue’s remarkable life and lasting impact will be remembered and honoured in an inaugural exhibition portraying her most iconic, triumphant, and heartbreaking moments from childhood, a career in health, Indigenous activism, high-profile leadership, and stellar career in Australian Aboriginal Affairs.
The exhibition titled ‘LOWITJA – A Life of Leadership and Legacy’ will be held at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery managed by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, University of South Australia in Adelaide, from 4 June to 25 July 2025. The exhibition is proudly presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, in partnership with the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation and Lowitja Institute, with the support of principal sponsor, the Government of South Australia and supporting partner, Adelaide Airport.
WHEN: Wednesday 4 June 2025 to Friday 25 July 2025
WHERE: Kerry Packer Civic Gallery The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, Kaurna Country, Adelaide
Earlier this month, we had a team gathering in Naarm.
We came together for staff planning, and to prepare for and get excited about the Lowitja Institute International Health and Wellbeing Conference, taking place in June 2025.
We had discussions on the values of Lowitja Institute, and how we honour our co-patron, the late Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG's legacy in our work, looking at what’s ahead for us for the rest of the year.
We also discovered some secret talent in the team for lawn bowls!
Congratulations to our Nursing Scholarship recipients
We are proud to congratulate the recipients of the 2025 Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation Nursing Scholarship round. We received an incredible response from applicants nationwide, and we are excited to have expanded the national program to award scholarships in Enrolled, Registered, and Postgraduate/Higher Degree Nursing this year.
Eighteen scholarships (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Higher Degree) supported by the Australian Government and one Enrolled Nursing scholarship (funded by Aspen Medical) have been awarded from regions including Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville, Canberra, Adelaide, Rockhampton, Ipswich, Torres Strait Islands, and Arnhem Land.
We wish our scholarship recipients well for their year of study ahead and hope that they are inspired to carry the legacy of the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG with them.
