2024 First Nations Elders Wellbeing and Indigenous Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Conferences

Dr. Bernie Singleton has had a career in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander affairs spanning fifty years and was Chairman of Apunipima Cape York Health Council for 13 years. Uncle Bernie grew up in Yarrabah. His paternal grandfather was a Yirrikanji man whose country runs from Cairns to Port Douglas. His paternal grandmother was an Umpila woman whose land is a part of the KULLA Land Trust and runs into the Lockhart River Land Trust. His maternal grandfather was a Blindal man (Townsville) of the Birri Gubba tribe while his maternal grandmother was a Woppaburra woman from Great Keppel Island. Uncle Bernie also has family connections all over Queensland. When Uncle Bernie was elected Chairman of Apunipima, there were only 15 employees and the organisation was on the brink of closure. His stewardship saw Apunipima grow and develop its role as a community-controlled health service. One of his greatest achievements was in 2004 when he was instrumental in securing a Deed of Commitment from the Cape York Regional Health Forum to develop a community-controlled health organisation in Cape York. Shortly afterward, Apunipima began to deliver Maternal and Child Health Services, Healthy Lifestyle services and medical services across 11 communities in Cape York. During his 13-year tenure as Chairman, Uncle Bernie also ensured that Apunipima was an active member of NACCHO and QAIHC, national and state peak bodies for Aboriginal and Islander health. Currently, Uncle Bernie imparts his wisdom as Senior Member of Kunjur First Nations Men’s Collective.

Aunty Glendra Stubbs OAM is a proud Wiradjuri woman who has lived in the Blue Mountains all her life. She has been the elder-in-residence at the University of Technology Sydney since 2020, and is a trained counsellor with over 40 years’ experience providing advice and practical assistance to survivors of trauma. Aunty Glendra has worked with several state and national bodies, including as an Aboriginal engagement advisor for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and is the aunty-in-residence at knowmore, a legal service supporting victims of child sexual abuse. In her personal and professional capacities, Glendra has learned a great deal about the range of issues involved in supporting strong, resilient individuals, families and communities. This has led to her membership on a range of boards and committees, including leading as CEO of Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation, assisting those affected by past government policies.

Josh Trindall is the Team Manager at the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT). His mother is a Thungutti women from Nulla Nulla Creek in Bellbrook, on the Mid North Coast of NSW and his father is a Gamaroi Man from the Namoi River in Narrabri Western NSW. Josh worked hard to establish a strong and diverse employment history within the Community Services space for going onto one decade and has worked for both Government and non-Government agencies in a range of different services and programs. He had been employed with the Australian Red Cross as an Aboriginal Community Development Officer to build capacity, assist and empower community to identify issues and strengths to create positive initiatives and outcomes for Aboriginal people. Similarly, the Australian Government’s strategy to Closing the Gap to improve life outcomes for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples Health outcomes as a Care Coordinator, the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice formally known as Family and Community Services and DOCS as a Child Protection Caseworker and in his current role with the Aboriginal Legal Services New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory in a new and innovative pilot program called “Mental Health and Advocacy Referral Service as the Team Manager. Josh is passionate about working hard to show his children and other Indigenous people that no matter how hard life can be and the challenges of being black may bring to us each day, nothing is impossible and that we can achieve anything!

Shonella Tatipata is from Far North Queensland and based in Canberra currently as Assistant Secretary, First Nations Aged Care in the Department of Health and Ageing. The Branch works to improve the access and quality of ageing and aged care as it relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, communities and providers. She is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and a Global Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity. Her work has varied in government and private sectors where Shonella has committed to contributing to meaningful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes.

Trevor Tim, First Nation Man from his father’s side Waanyi/Gangalidda Peoples, known as the Gulf of Carpentaria. Mother’s side Erub Island known as Darnely Island apart of the Torres Strait Islands. Trevor is strong in culture which gives him a solid foundation that he builds his life on. He operates knowing his ancestors are watching and guiding him. He is one of Australia’s leading First Nation Speakers with many year’s experience working with people of all ages and races. Trevor is an entrepreneur with extensive sales experience who has honed his skills to encourage the best from himself and others. His leadership ability was evident at an early age as a School Captain in his Primary and High School, he was also a representative footballer and professional dancer. Although he was born and raised in the remote outback Queensland town of Cloncurry. (a Murri from da Curry). Trevor was always destined for bigger things. He has been a professional speaker for over two decades presenting to audiences all over Australia. His love for life and people is always on display and he practices what he preaches. He heads up Indigenous Tourism in Cairns, creating a platform for young First Nation people on a job career pathway in the marine world. He is also the host on First Nation Radio, National Program called National Talkblack for 11 Years. He has a desire to inspire and has found his two important days in his life, one his birth and two, his reason for his birth.

Emma Tahuri is the Principal Lead, Elder population Health at the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA). AHCSA is the peak body for the Aboriginal Health Sector in SA. AHCSA supports 12 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across SA and is a voice to the sector and provides advocacy and sector support, with a commitment to Aboriginal self-determination. Emma has a background in project management and community engagement and prior to working at AHCSA, has had over 25 years’ experience working s across the government sector including Aboriginal Housing, disability reform, strategy and policy, child protection, and community development. She has extensive experience in developing and delivering programs for Aboriginal communities and is committed to being part of addressing systemic challenges, whilst listening and working in partnership with Aboriginal Leaders and communities. Emma has played a significant role in the implementation of the AHCSA Elder Care Support Program across South Australia and also worked for AHCSA in roles supporting NDIS, Homecare Workforce and Aged Care. Emma lives and works on Kaurna Country (Adelaide) with her husband and three children.

Mark Robertson is a highly acclaimed and talented musician, MC, producer and secondary school teacher. Mark has built a solid reputation with his teaching methods. Mark’s achievements in this field were recognised when he was awarded the 2009 Young Social Pioneer of the Year Award for Innovative projects toward social and educational change, and his work with Indigenous youth earned him national recognition by being one of 20 Australians invited to meet His Royal Highness Prince Harry at Kirrabilli house in 2013. Mark was also a final nominee for 2011 Australian of Year Award and 2014 finalist for New York global citizens award.

Sharon Hall is a Wiradjuri woman brought up on Dharawal country who has been a Psychologist for over 30 years and has recently become a lawyer. She manages the Allied Professional Services practice are at Aboriginal Legal service and is fascinated by the intersection of culture, social science and legal work. Her loves are ocean, football and family.

Dr. Amber R. Logan is a traditional Kahungunu Māori wahine, a New Zealand Health Psychologist and Doctoral Fellow in Public Health at Otago University. She teaches health psychology course work at the University of Auckland & Otago University and is well-known in New Zealand for her work in methamphetamine education and community activism. She is a consummate grant writer, health services evaluator and health services program designer. She has presented extensively in Australia, Canada, and the USA at Harvard University, the University of Washington, and to the US Federal Government.

Uncle Warren Martens is currently serving as the chairperson for the newly established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network of Queensland (ATSIDNQ) Aboriginal & Torres Straits Islander Corporation. ATSIDNQ is a network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with a disability, their families and carers established to raise awareness of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with a disability. The network provides opportunities to connect with others and supports a collective voice for members living with a disability. Warren also serves as board member for North Queensland Land Council amongst oother community-controlled organisations.

Sharon Finnan-White is a descendant of the Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr and Biripi language groups from the mid-north coast of NSW. She was a member of the victorious Australian Netball Diamonds World Cup teams in 1991 and 1999, Commonwealth Games team in 1990 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the sport of netball. Sharon is one of only three Aboriginal women to have ever represented the Australian Diamonds. Her industry experience spans over three decades, working in the private, public and community sectors, including state government, educational and financial institutions, not for profit organisations, media and sport.

Gary Oliver joined the team as knowmore’s first Director of First National Engagement in March 2023. Gary is a Kuku Yalanji man from Far North Queensland. He has over thirty years’ experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including in previous leadership roles and in the delivery of legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This experience includes roles as the CEO of The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples from 2017-2019; CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service of NSW/ACT from 2015 to 2017. Gary also served as Chairperson and Board member of the ALS and as a Board member of Save the Children Australia for a period of over 9 years.

Lena-Pearl Bridgland is a Ngarrindjeri/Narungga woman from South Australia living on Kaurna Land with her partner and 5 children. Lena-Pearl Bridgland is the Training and Workforce Coordinator at the Aboriginal Health Council of South Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across SA and is a voice to the sector and provides advocacy and sector support, with a commitment to Aboriginal self-determination. Lena-Pearl has worked in Aboriginal health for 14 years in various roles including Maternal and child health, chronic conditions, mental health wellness and general practitioner clinics as an Aboriginal health practitioner. Prior to joining the Elder Care Support program, Lena-Pearl worked in the RTO team as an AHP/clinical trainer delivering the Aboriginal Health Practitioner Qualifications certificate III and IV. Lena-Pearl’s drive to work in the Elder Care Support program came from a strong connection to her elders, being raised on country by her grandparents and understanding the effects of social determinants which had and continue to have a great effect on her elders passing away at an early age. This program brings hope to our communities, to our elders to prevent and keep our elders our leaders here longer living healthy and happy lives.

Saskia Bourne is the Director of Inclusion & Linkages Policy, Support at Home Reform Branch of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Saskia completed her PhD in Political Science and Communicatrions at University of Melbourne. For over 9 years, Saskia worked at the Department of The Prime Minister and Cabinet in various roles as policy analyst, policy advisor for social impact investment taskforce, senior policy advisor for COVID-19 planning team, senior advisor disability section and senior advisor for First Nations Policy Branch.

Uncle Thomas Callaghan is a proud Koori man and descendant hailed from Biripi country (Taree) and Kempsey Dunghutti country in New South Wales. He grew up on Old Burnt Bridge Aboriginal Mission, just 8km west of Kempsey NSW and until his late teenage years. As a young adult, Tom returned to his grandmother's and family home traditional of the Biripi people where he lived on Purfleet Aboriginal Mission just 9Km South of Taree NSW. Today, he is the oldest living grandchild of Thomas Benjamin Callaghan, late of Bellbrook West of Kempsey and grandmother, Cinderella Callaghan (Richie) late of Purfleet south of Taree NSW. Over the years, Thomas established Aboriginal Medical Services, owned varied business enterprises, worked as professional fisherman, professional motorbike racer, Prime Minister Keating's team member and worked at UNHCR setting up refugee settlement camps across the Africas and the Middle East.

Anita is currently the Coordinator of the Amber Youth Wellness Service and holds a Degree in Social Work. Anita has experience in the delivery of localised community specialist support services in the areas of homelessness, early intervention, family therapy and mental health across Western Australia. Anita is passionate about ensuring that young people's voices are heard and is committed to genuine person-centred approaches in service delivery.

Dr. Joseph B. Stone, PhD is an Anasaki-pikuni ceremonialist and traditionalist and member of the OKKAN (Sundance), the Last Star Thunder Medicine Pipe and Beaver Lodge. Dr. Stone works at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga – a Kaupapa Māori Health Provider; Awhina Whanu Family Services, and the Napier Family Centre all located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He has clinical experience with adult prisoners & corrections and juvenile justice in both New Zealand and USA. He is affiliated with the National Centre on Trauma and Project Making Medicine – Indian Health Service Assessment and Treatment of Child Abuse at Oklahoma State University. He has presented to, and served as consultant to, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs of Native Youth Suicide. Dr. Stone’s publications include articles on trauma, suicide, and other cultural & behavioural issues.

Tarah is a proud Wadjuk Noongar living on Noongar Boodjar (country) in Perth WA. Tarah holds extensive experience in the delivery of cultural, community and clinical interventions to children, young people and families both at MercyCare and with the WA Department of Child Protection.

Having personally walked the path of living with thoughts of suicide and attempted suicide, Tynan has emerged with a profound understanding of the darkness that can consume a life. Through faith, hope, and love, Tynan shook off the narrative around 'Recovery' and transformed his life with what he was dealt. Turning his lived experiences into a powerful mission to reduce stigma, challenge systems, and prevent suicide.

With a master's degree in social work and over a decade of experience in the health industry, Tynan brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to his professional and personal worlds. He holds a belief that most suicides are preventable, a conviction rooted in both personal insights and countless conversations with individuals who have bravely shared their stories.

Tynan's unique perspective, forged through many challenges, allows him to connect deeply with others who may be struggling. His lived experiences act as a guide to help unlock closed doors and offer hope to those searching for a way forward. When not dedicating his time to helping others, Tynan can be found trail running, which helps him channel stress, find peace, and embody resilience. Tynan has been blessed to share his story at numerous keynote presentations, deliver educational presentation and inspiring audiences with a message of hope, understanding, and change from the perspective of those with lived experience.

Emily is a Ballardong Noongar living on Noongar Boodjar (country) in Perth WA. Emily holds experience in working within the education system with Indigenous students coordinating programs such as life skills and preparing for employment. Emily holds clinical expertise in the areas of Indigenous mental health, Alcohol and Other Drug psychoeducation, and women’s health.

Bernard "BJ" Sabadi is an experienced Transition Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. BJ completed his Diploma in Community Services from Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE. As the School To Jobs Coordinator, he is responsible for providing students with mentoring and support into career pathways/employment and coordinating and documenting the process as well as maintaining positive relationship with Employers to create employment pathways. Bernard also serves as the Club President for Brothers Rugby League Football Club in Cairns where he oversees the management and administrative operation of the club and provide leadership and support to all its members. Furthermore, BJ founded the Kunjur Men's Collective after the heartbreaking unfortunate loss of a strong brother to suicide. BJ repeatedly asked himself, ‘What could I have done? What could I have said?.’ This incident prompted BJ to action and established KMC that serves as a place for Men to talk, to be heard and to support each other. Kunjur is building up itself to be a forever support and space for First Nations men to be the leaders, providers and protector they have been for thousands of years!

Maria Callaghan is a nurse-midwife and a proud descendant of the Bol-anon tribe from her mother’s side and the mountain-dwelling Higaonon tribe from her father’s heritage. She completed her Australian Migration Law degree at Australian Catholic University. With over three centuries of Spanish rule and occupation of the Philippines, Maria knows too well the long-term effect of colonization the most devastating consequences for her people were the loss of cultural identity as her ancestors were chronically stripped of their unique traditions and languages from forced assimilation, coercion into adopting Spanish culture, Catholicism and cultural suppression that led to significant disconnect with their ancestral roots. The encomienda system, which granted Spanish colonizers control over Indigenous labour subjected her ancestors to brutal working conditions often without fair compensation and exploited their country's resources which continues to shape the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of the Philippines today. Maria has more than 20 years of experience in nursing and midwifery, health management, workforce development, event management, law and business. She’s passionate about building compassionate communities and has trained more than six hundred compassionate community connectors to date from Weipa in the Cape & Torres to Birtinya in Sunshine Coast where mobilised community connectors are making a difference and supporting families in communities one at a time. 

Matthew Tafoya is Tl’aashchi’i born for the Tewa Corn Clan, his cheiis are Ta’neeszhahnii and his nalis are the Tewa Winter Clan. Married with children and living in St. Michaels Arizona, where Matthew grow food and develop food systems. His educational background is in justice studies, business, economic development, green infrastructure, American Indian studies, Native Nation Building, climate change adaptation, food sovereignty/security, built environments, and health promotion. Matthew's interests are in developing Indigenous economic ecologies, social ecologies, Indigenizing Native institutions, improving governance, and creating new institutions that adapt to colonization, climate change, and colonial constructs like Indian reservations. Similarly, Matt believe in tribal sovereignty, self-determination, self-governance, and working with community to develop community. His hobbies include permaculture, cultural preservation, rebuilding food systems, outdoor recreation, travel, and learning from other cultures. Currently, Matt work as director of the Navajo Tech Innovation Center in Church Rock, NM.

Uncle Ara has over 40 years of professional experience in governance eldership/leadership and management in many fields of endeavour. His interests lie in health, youth, education, Aboriginal affairs, mediation, reconciliation in action, restorative justice, lateral violence, community development, workplace dynamics, mentoring, research, Aboriginal Terms of Reference, Aboriginal spirituality and Indigenous wellbeing and wellness paradigms. He is a director on several Indigenous and non-Indigenous Boards and Chairperson of Lonweigh Aboriginal Corporation. Uncle Ara has an Armenian Heritage and has Aboriginal family connections to the Minniecon, Lingwoodock and Wenitongs and the Torres Strait through the Ghee’s and Wares and Skin connections to Wongi and Martu People of Western Australia. He has achieved professional success in business, and community development. In his professional career, his achievements include developing and implementing a Transformational Management Model underpinned by the Cultural Philosophical Ethos Theory that was developed by his wife, Aunty Cheri Yingaa Yavu-Kama-Harathunian, and the development of Kultchafi Cultural Responsiveness Training Package, Healing Circle Work, Gentle Footprints and Cultural Responsiveness Organisational Pulse.

Isabelle has extensive experience as a Senior Executive managing delivery of services in the Health and Education sectors. Previously an advisor to the Australian Commonwealth Government, the WHO and World Bank, and major health providers, Isabelle has led various transition and service reform initiatives, including Emergency Patient Transport, Maternal Health, Indigenous Health, Mental Health Support, Palliative, End of Life and Residential Health Care, NDIS and Community Aged Care services and vocational education programs. Former roles include Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for NSW Health; CEO of Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries NSW; General Manager, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University; Chief of Staff, Senior Advisor, and Director of Social Policy, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Isabelle is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia and the staff who support them.