Guwal Jilbay - Yarning Research Conference

CQUniversity hosted the inaugural Guwal Jilbay Yarning Research Conference on Darumbal Country (Rockhampton North campus) from 16 – 18th July 2024.  Guwal Jilbay means ‘yarning research’ in the Dyirbal language. The conference was a three-day event attended by 60 regional and rural First Nations postgraduate research students and supervisors from across Australia. Keynote speakers included Professor Ray Mahoney (CSIRO), Professor Adrian Miller, Dr Melinda Mann, Professor Yvette Roe, Professor Jenni Judd, Professor Katerina Teaiwa, Dr Ryan Al-Natour, Professor Alice Te Punga Somerville, Ruth Miller, Malcolm Mann, and Dr Fiona Wirrer-George.

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks brings over 35 years of experience across the tertiary education sector, government, and Indigenous community organisations. Prof Fredericks is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at The University of Queensland and a lead in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. She has held numerous senior roles at Central Queensland University, including Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and Chair of the Academic Board, and as a Commissioner with the Queensland Productivity Commission where she led the inquiry into service provision in remote Indigenous communities. Bronwyn is also a member of several ARC committees, is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences of Australia, and the Australian Academy of Humanities and received numerous awards for her contributions to Indigenous health and education.

Ross Andrews is a proud Yarrabah man with cultural ties to the Yalanji, Walkamin, Koah, Yidinji, Bulawah, and Djungan Peoples across Far North Queensland, Southwest Queensland, and the Lower Daintree region. Ross has a Bachelor's Business Degree major in Human Resource Management/Management and Entrepreneurship from James Cook University (2015). Ross previously served two terms as Mayor of the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council (2016–2024) and has extensive experience in indigenous local government, including senior leadership roles in both Yarrabah and Napranum Aboriginal Shire Councils. A founding member of the Yarrabah Leadership Forum (2012) and Wugu Nyambil Job Active (2018), he has contributed to numerous community organisations dedicated to strengthening Indigenous governance, employment, and community development. Ross was also an active advocate during the Voice Referendum, championing greater Indigenous participation in national decision‑making. Ross also currently serves as a Board of Director on Djurragun College. He remains a committed community leader and a passionate supporter and volunteer of the Yarrabah Seahawks.

Ray Mahoney is a Bidjara man with family ties to Central West Queensland. Ray has worked extensively to co-design, develop, implement and evaluate best practice public health and prevention programs to close the gap in health and wellbeing between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Ray currently leads a range of research projects with Indigenous community-controlled organisation partners. Since joining H&B’s Australian eHealth Research Centre in 2018 Ray established the Indigenous Health Research Team. This Indigenous led research program has established an evidence base for technology in health care specific to the interests and needs of Indigenous people. We are partnering with Indigenous Community Controlled Organisations to co-design and co-develop potential e-Health solutions to complement existing systems for some of the most significant issues in their communities.