NAIDOC Week Opening and Panel Discussion

Uncle Des Williams is a proud Gumbainggir and Bundjalung man.

He is the Chairperson of the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and has been for many years. During this time he has worked and supported initiatives in: Cultural Heritage management/protection with both Tweed and Byron Shire Councils (he has been a Senior Cultural Sites Officer with Tweed Byron LALC on a voluntary basis for many years); influencing planning laws at both local and state government levels with regards to Tweed Shire Council Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan receiving both State and National recognition via Planning Institute Awards, receiving a State Award and National Commendation on behalf of the Tweed Shire Council Aboriginal Advisory Committee; Social Housing and Homelessness; Natural Resource Management both land and sea/waterways; Cultural Fishing rights protection and management; Cultural Immersion; NAIDOC Week Celebrations in both Tweed and Byron Shires; assisting families and individuals in their academic, sporting and career aspirations, homelessness and access to social and other accommodation, mental health, domestic violence, legal support, connection to community and Country; collaborating with various Goori and non-Goori groups/organisations on various projects and initiatives.

Uncle Des was the former ATSIC Commissioner for two terms. He has and continues to be involved as a representative for Aboriginal Health to NC Local Health District, NC Primary Health Network, Bugalwena Health, Bugalwena GP and Bulgarr Ngaru.

Through leadership, experience and cultural knowledge, Uncle Des continues to advocate and support Aboriginal issues affecting his community.

Uncle Des is also a member of Southern Cross University Gnibi Elders Council and former Chair of the North Coast Institute of Aboriginal Community Education. 

Professor Stuart Barlo is an Aboriginal man from the Yuin Nation and is Dean of Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples. His work is widely recognised for advancing Indigenous research methodologies, particularly yarning as a culturally grounded and rigorous approach to knowledge sharing and analysis.

His doctoral research focused on restoring dignity for Aboriginal men, foregrounding relational, culturally accountable methods that centre Indigenous voices, lived experience, and interpretive authority.

Dr Barlo’s research emphasises cultural integrity, ethical responsibility, and community connection, making him a respected leader in decolonising research and Indigenous knowledge practices.

Dr. Rachel Lynwood is a Bundjalung woman, and Associate Dean (Education), and Senior Lecturer, at Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples.  Some of Rachel's key areas of scholarly expertise are Indigenous Women & Academic Leadership, Indigenous pedagogies, Aboriginal Community Wellbeing and Scholarship of Learning & Teaching.

Rachel's PhD work is based on her many years of experience as an Indigenous scholar and Bundjalung woman in the Australian higher education sector.  Rachel's research interests are auto-ethnographical, and are also strongly informed by her community engagement work over many years in this region. Rachel is also Chair of Gnibi College Faculty Board, and has an extensive background in academic governance.  Her work brings a diverse depth of experience and insight to the importance of Indigenous education.

Josh Creighton is a Butchulla man, educator, and facilitator with over a decade of experience in Indigenous community engagement and knowledge sharing. He is a Lecturer at Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples and holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Studies with First Class Honours.

Josh’s work is grounded in Indigenous Knowledges and relational ways of working, with particular strength in creating culturally safe spaces for dialogue and collective learning. He has extensive experience facilitating yarning and supporting respectful, community-led conversations that centre lived experience and cultural protocols.

Through his teaching, scholarship, and collaborative projects, Josh contributes to strengthening Indigenous voices and perspectives in research and practice. His work brings a strong focus on connection, respect, and shared understanding to conversations about Indigenous Knowledge and education.

Anthony Olive is a Bundjalung man and Manager of Indigenous Australian Student Services (IASS).  He has worked extensively in both Gnibi and Indigenous student support and community engagement activities for over 20 years at Southern Cross University, providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the support and services needed to gain access to and succeed in higher education.