MALU MAI WELLNESS CONSULTANCYABN: 25 603 157 473
ACN: 603 157 473
MALU MAI WELLNESS CONSULTANCY
Proudly presents
the
7th World First Nations Traditional Knowledge
Gathering
Date: 22nd, 23rd, 24th August, 2025
Venue: Shananda
129 Sutherland Drive
Taromeo, Queensland, 4306
Australia
(Say it Loud, Say it Clear, We were Always Here!!)
The World First Nations Traditional Knowledge Gathering is about creating a culturally safe space for discourse on First Nations Peoples' Ways of Knowing, Seeing, Being and Ways of Doing.
It includes dialogue pertaining to the implementation of Traditional Knowledge through Research, Education, Culture and Traditional Practices. It also explores the multifaceted social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and political issues impacting on the lives of First Nations Peoples in today's evolving society.
This conference endeavours to bring together the lived experiences of health workers, Elders, leaders, educators, scholars, social workers, community workers & practitioners from all walks of life to come together in a spirit of unity, harmony, peace and love to share their knowledge in an environment where their voices are heard and respected. It aims to enrich the professional development and practice of practitioners from multidisciplinary backgrounds.
It will answer the many questions and assist mainstream practitioners in gaining a better understanding and clearer insight into working with and walking with First Nations Peoples on a local, national and global level.
Our core objective and vision are to bring the voices of our Elders to the forefront, and to provide a platform for our Elders to share their wisdom and their knowledge in a culturally safe environment.
We extend a warm welcome to people from all walks of life from the grassroots community and to practitioners from both government and non-government sectors. As First Nations Peoples, our stories and our histories were transmitted through oral traditions and through our art, music, song, dance, lore, law and customary practices. These stories were not written down but was passed from generation to generation and has withstood the test of time and survived.
We pay homage and respect to all those who came and shared their Knowledge and Wisdom in years gone by, some of whom are now deceased, we honour their memory. We acknowledge all those who come to share their stories at our Gathering, we thank them for their valuable contribution and Knowledge.
The 7th World First Nations Traditional Knowledge Gathering is centred around these key themes as outlined;
1. LORE: Traditional Lore and Customary Practices; this session will include dialogue around the importance of maintaining our Lores and Customary Practices for the betterment of our First Nations Communities here and around the World.
2. KNOWLEDGE: First Nations Knowledge and Ways of Being; this session will involve the collective sharing of First Nations Knowledge and Ways of Being, our epistemologies, how do we know what we know? It will incorporate the wisdom handed down from our Ancestors.
3. CULTURE: Making meaning of our Cultural Stories, Songs, Languages and Dances; this session will explore our cultural stories, songs shared through language and dance.
4. MEDICINE & HEALING: Traditional Bush Medicines & Ways of Healing; this session will explore Traditional ways of Healing and through ancient Knowledge & Wisdom from our Elders and Ancestors.
5. SPIRIT: Wellness Pathways for our Spiritual, Social, Emotional & Psychological Health and Wellbeing; this session will encompass the core components for health and wellness utilising Traditional Knowledge Systems.
6. LAW: Cultural Ways of Knowing & Cultural Ways of Doing in Law & Justice; discussions and dialogue in this session will examine core components of Traditional Knowledge & Traditional Ways of Doing to address issues surrounding Law and Justice.
7. ENVIRONMENT: Dialogue in this session will encompass ways in which to care for Mother Earth, drawing on the wisdom of our Ancestors, and looking at our old ways of Knowing, Seeing, Being and Doing. Discussions will also involve the current local, national and global situation in light of climate change and its impact on our Lands, Water, Rivers, Waterways, Islands and Oceans.
8. CARING FOR COUNTRY: Delegates will learn about our Permaculture Food Forest and Community Garden, and they will be given the opportunity to plant Native plants, bush medicines, bush foods, fruit trees, organic herbs and vegetables
**Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other First Nations People are warned that this website contains images of Loved Ones that participated in our gatherings, workshops and conferences who are now deceased. We honour them and pay homage and utmost respect to them and to all of their Loved Ones.**
STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE
This year 2024 marks the 7th World First Nations Traditional Knowledge Gathering. Here are scenes from our previous events; showcasing all of the beautiful people who have presented and those who have been involved in putting this event together and making this a wonderful time of caring and sharing of our Traditional Knowledge as First Nations Peoples of the World.
****Check out our promotional video from previous Gatherings, click on this link;
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
EVENT CAMPSITE:
The World First Nations Traditional Knowledge Gathering will be held out on Country. We are encouraging people to come, bring their tents and camp there, and use the facilities that we will be providing on the land.
ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
Bed & Breakfast, AIRBNB, Hotels & Motels are located at nearby towns which are just 10 to 20 minutes away from the Gathering site; these towns are Blackbutt, Moore, Linville, Yarraman and Nanango. Accommodation for caravans and vans are also available at the Blackbutt showgrounds where there are hot showers and toilet facilities.
**Check on Google Maps for the exact locations.
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
ALL WELCOME:
Who should attend:
Scholars, Educators, Researchers, Elders, Community Members, Counsellors, Social Scientists, Botanists, Cross-Cultural Educators, Social Workers, Community Development Workers, Human Service Workers, Health Workers, Traditional Healers, Holistic Practitioners and Natural Therapists
Cost: $300... (Full Price for 3 days includes all meals)
Early Bird: $250...
(Early Bird Registration and payment must be received by 30th June, 2024)
Presenters Fee: $150
Elders & Students Fee: $100
All Meals & Refreshments are included
(Gathering Dinner complimentary for all delegates)
Registration will be accepted and confirmed upon Debit Card Payment via Bank Transfer to:
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Account Name: MALU MAI WELLNESS CONSULTANCY PTY LTD
BSB: 064-138
ACCOUNT NO: 1063 2400
Choose the options for registration as outlined below:
1. Full registration & payment $300
2. Early Bird registration & payment $250 by 30th June, 2025
3. For 2 Days attendance $200
4. For 1 day attendance $100
5. Elders & students fees $100
6. Presenters Fees $150
Malu Mai Wellness
Consultancy proudly presents our Special Guest Speakers
Professor Jackie Huggins AM FAHA
Bidjara and BirriGubba Juru Nations.
Jackie is currently Director of Indigenous Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston campus, Brisbane.
Recently completed role as Honorary Professor, Centre for Deep History, Australian National University
POU Atlantic Fellows Social Equity, Melbourne University
Director, National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice, Federation University Victoria
Co-Chair, National Apology Foundation
Other roles include Elder in Residence, Australia Progress and Steering Committee Member for Passing the Message Stick and Common Threads.
Elder in Residence, Australian Broadcasting Commission
Professor Huggins is in demand as a speaker, mentor, writer, advisor with over four decades experience in community, academia, government and non government sectors.
Dr Julie Rogers is a proud Woppaburra and South Sea Islander woman, and a dedicated advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, knowledge systems, and community wellbeing.
She is currently Director of the Woppaburra Saltwater Aboriginal Corporation and Co-Founder and Co-Director of B.L.A.C.K. (Building Leadership and Cultural Knowledge).
Dr Rogers serves as a Senior Research Officer at the Jarwun Institute, CQUniversity Brisbane Campus, where she leads two major projects focused on improving mental health and genetic health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
These co-designed initiatives include an intervention targeting non-Indigenous mental health professionals in Queensland and a cultural capability training program for non-Indigenous genetics professionals, alongside professional development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander genetic health workers in Queensland and Western Australia.
She recently completed her PhD, titled Yilum: Cultural Continuity and Wellness Among Woppaburra Women, which articulates the 6Rs model—Recovery, Rediscovery, Reconnection, Regeneration, Resilience, and Resurgence.
Her thesis asserts the centrality of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and methodologies, embedding Aboriginal ontologies, epistemologies, and axiologies throughout the research process.
This work challenges dominant Western academic paradigms and contributes to the advancement of Indigenous-led research and culturally grounded models of wellness.
Over three decades, Dr Rogers has held leadership roles across the community and public sectors, with a strong focus on youth, education, social justice, health, and community development.
Her contributions span local organisations across Southeast Queensland and government agencies committed to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Wynn Te Kani, First Nations (Maori) Pasifika, and Multicultural Community Elder, living on Yugarabul Country. Whaea Wynn has lived experiences of multiple communities and networks, she has supported community issues of climate, environment, family safety, human rights, culture, justice, support for prisoners, children/youth, education, community health, (maternal, newborns, aging, mental health, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities).
Wynn Te Kani has held founding, executive, working and steering committee roles. She is an advocate, advisor, mentor, consultant, commentator, and public speaker, contributing to research and understanding on traditional Maori life. She was also a part of the first research on Maori/Pasifika in Australia with Pacific Island Community Council of Queensland.
Whaea Wynn is also a Community Researcher on Maori Pasifika Diabetes, (Women’s Wellness) and Food Security.
She is a Published writer, author of Helping Or Harming? (recommended by Senator Claire Moore). She has been the Maori Program Producer at Radio 4EB for 24 years.
Whaea Wynn was awarded Australian National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasting Council Volunteer / Contributor for 2018 for her community contributions.
Karina is a proud Ngugi woman from Quandamooka, passionate social worker, activist, and advocate with a strong social justice focus.
With over 15 years of frontline experience, she has dedicated her career to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at risk of entering child protection, providing intensive family support.
Through her extensive work, Karina recognised the need for better support, options, and opportunities for families.
This realisation led her to pursue a PhD at the University of Queensland in 2024, focusing on peer parent and family advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at risk of or involved with child protection.
Committed to creating positive change, Karina strives to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have a voice and access to culturally responsive services that empower them and promote social justice.
Her work continues to inspire efforts toward systemic change in child protection and family support.
Hi, I am Iris Silva Brito. I was born in Itabuna, in the land of the Tupiniquin People in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The name Itabuna comes from the Tupi language, meaning "black stones of the river," symbolising strength and continuity.
While my African ancestry has been deliberately erased through generations—driven by the violence of colonisation, persecution, and assimilationist pressures—I know my roots run deep.
My ancestors were forcibly brought to Brazil through the transatlantic slave trade, and my grandmother was born in a quilombo, a settlement founded by people who escaped slavery.
Quilombo is a word of African origin, representing resistance, freedom, and community—a legacy of survival and dignity I carry with pride.
Although my African identity was intentionally silenced, I grew up surrounded by the teachings and wisdom of Indigenous ways of knowing and being, which have always been part of my upbringing in Bahia. This blending of suppressed African identity and Indigenous knowledge has shaped who I am, guiding my values and my work to this day.
I am a mother to a beautiful daughter and married to an extraordinary human being. I am also the eldest daughter in a family of six children, raised by parents who devoted their lives to educating children experiencing economic hardship in northeastern Brazil.
My professional journey has taken me across continents. I am now an Australian citizen, grateful to live in this magnificent land. I have built a career deeply connected to education, social policy, community development, and social justice.
I have worked across the public, private, and non-government sectors as a Social Worker and for the past seven years, I have had the privilege of educating the next generation of social workers at the Australian College of Applied Professions, alongside the incredible Dr. Noritta Morseu-Diop.
I continue to honour my heritage by contributing to causes I believe in. I serve on the governance board of Live and Learn Environmental Education. I am the founder of the Brazilian NGO, AMBEC, which supports socially marginalised children.
I am also a member of the Editorial Board of Editora Via Literarum, an active member of the Grapiuna Academy of Arts and Letters, and a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Through this work, I stay committed to advancing sustainability, social justice, and human rights globally.
I look forward to meeting you at the Gathering, where I will share more of my story—a story of resilience, connection, and purpose.
Mr Leon Yeatman, a proud Gunggandji man from Yarrabah near Cairns, with cultural connection in the Wet Tropics, Cape York, North West Queensland and the Gulf Regions.
Leon is CEO at the North Queensland Land Council. He is an active member in the Native title sector, participating in the Queensland Representative Body Alliance and on the National Native Title Council.
Leon is a collaborator with a keen interest to work with likeminded people to address issues, advocate for rights and a defender of his people.
He has experience as an administrator and strong work history promoting good governance and best practice. He has lived and worked in a variety of settings, receiving acclaim from his peers and being respected as a trusted person.
A community leader at heart, he has extensive knowledge running programs and planning. Leon has witnessed change and supported broad agendas and assisting to develop a new narrative.
A conversationalist at heart, he is looking forward to engaging with participants and offering an insight into the Native Title landscape in Queensland.
My name is Gavin Lyall. I'm a proud Inuk Canadian and Danish man. I'm a member of the Nunatsiavut Inuit Nation in Labrador, Canada, lived in Denmark for half my life, and migrated to Australia 10 years ago with my Aussie partner, Viv. We live in Brisbane with our son, Archie, and two guinea pigs.
I have worked with people all my working life, in diverse settings from aged care to youth mentoring on the land in a remote community in Canada, and now NDIS social work with a major Indigenous community controlled health organisation.
I'm have been lucky enough to spend time in ceremony with strong Elders and teachers and honour the way of life they've initiated me into.
I look forward to connecting with everyone at the gathering!
Mrs Bev Grant Lipscomb:
Bev is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Cowra, New South Wales. She grew up at the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children's Home with the Stolen Generation (1953-1966), under the Segregation and Assimilation Policy.
Despite the early adversity, she pursued education with determination and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1970.
Bev went onto University, graduating with a Master of Indigenous Studies/Wellbeing, a Graduate Diploma Indigenous Health, and a Graduate Certificate Wiradyuri Language Culture and Heritage.
Presently, Bev trains Nurses, Counsellors and Community Services personnel. She has three daughters, one granddaughter and two great grandchildren, and lives happily in Kingscliff, New South Wales.
BEV GRANT LIPSCOMB:
Master Indigenous Studies. Grad Dip Indigenouse Health. Grad Cert Wiradyuri Language, Culture, Heritage. Registered Nurse. C4TAE
Clinician, Indigenous Consultant and Counselor, Trainer and Assessor.
Nursing. Aged Care and Disability. Substance Mis-Use.
General Education. Child Studies & Child Protection.Youth Work.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, History and Culture.
Community Services Education, Health, Justice, Housing, Mentoring.
Social Policy Research. Diversity & Inclusiveness. Mental Health.
Suicide Prevention and Intervention. St John’s First Aid and CPR.
Present Workplaces:
Kingscliff TAFE- Nursing, Community Services - beverley.lipscomb@tafensw.edu.au
Melbourne Uni - Tutoring, Medical Faculty - bevgrantlipscomb@unimelb.edu.au
Kingscliff NSW 2487
Dr Stephen Corporal is an Eastern Arrernte man with close family connections to many other First Nations people, born in Townsville and lives in Jagera Country southeast Queensland.
Stephen completed a PhD in 2020 titled “Identity, roles, and expectations influence on Indigenous university students when building the Indigenous health workforce” and a Grad Cert in Indigenous Leadership and Research.
Stephen also completed his Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Queensland and a Master of Social Policy at James Cook University.
Dr Corporal is a Board Member of the Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) and IAHA NTWD.
Stephen is a visiting Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology and is employed at the University of Melbourne as a Senior Research Fellow in the Indigenous Data Network.
Stephen is an active member of the grassroots Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community in Magandjin ( Brisbane) and passionate about Communty Development work and Social Work within the Indigenous Community.