NRW Breakfast

Professor Jackie Huggins AM FAHA

Professor Jackie Huggins AM FAHA is Bidjara and Birri Gubba Juru from central and north Queensland. She is currently Director of Indigenous Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston campus, Brisbane.

Previously her work has included member, Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Co-Chair Reconciliation Australia and presently Co-Patron of Reconciliation Queensland with Dame Quentin Bryce AC and still remains active in the reconciliation space.

She is the Co-Chair for the National Apology Foundation with Kevin and Jessica Rudd and a Director for the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice, Federation University Victoria.

Other roles include Elder In Residence, Australian Broadcasting Commission, Elder in Residence, Australia Progress and Steering Committee for Passing the Message Stick and Common Threads. She has worked for over 45 years across community, academia, government and non government areas, nationally and internationally and is in demand as a speaker, mentor, writer, and adviser.

Marliya / Spinifex Gum

Marliya is a group of young Indigenous singers based in Cairns, whose music goes straight to the heart. Born out of a collaboration between Gondwana Choirs and Felix Riebl, these young women sing with a warmth and richness that belies their age.

Born out of a collaborative trip to the Pilbara to create new songs, Spinifex Gum began in 2016 when Marliya (Gondwana Choirs) & Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill (The Cat Empire) alongside the Yindjibarndi community, came together to create new music.

Since then Marliya and Spinifex Gum has become so much more. An album and a live show, a celebration of young people and talent and a challenge for the future. When Marliya sing our voices come together as one and together we can say what no individual can. We sing about the wonders and the challenges of our country. We would like to take our stories and our message around Australia and share them with you.

Bianca Hunt

One of this generation's most versatile personalities, Bianca Hunt has been honing her skills in the media industry for over a decade. A TV presenter, media personality, interviewer and author, Bianca's career spans sport, travel, fashion and music journalism.

A proud Kamilaroi, Barkindji, Ballardong and Whadjuk woman, Bianca's unique upbringing playing music, competing in AFL, and undertaking dance training, has gifted her with the ability to genuinely connect with almost anyone. With a passion for hearing other people's stories and for sharing her own, Bianca has dedicated her career to uplifting First Nations people and platforming women in media.

Presenting television across multiple networks, some of Bianca's most notable roles include SBS's Going Places with Ernie Dingo, Coles Healthy Kicks, Yokayi Footy, and even a stint on I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! In the brand world, Bianca has fronted campaigns for Bonds, LinkedIn and even a global campaign with Intrepid Travel.

Always passionate for her people, Bianca is an ambassador for The Indigenous Literacy Foundation and Wyanga Elders. She has worked tirelessly to promote her love for AFLW and although no longer running, she founded AGNT BLAK, a groundbreaking talent agency for First Nations people. Her debut children's book 'Our Game' (Hardie Grant) furthers her connection to community and sport. Now, debuting her self-discovery book ‘Main Character Energy’ (Penguin), she gets to share challenges, insights and learnings of owning her own narrative to others.

Iwiri Choir

The Iwiri Choir continues the choral tradition of the Pitjantjatjara Ernabella Choir, performing almost exclusively in the Pitjantjatjara language. Multi-generational in nature, many choir members follow in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents from the original Ernabella choir. For the choir’s elders, Inma (song) is a powerful healing tool and a vital way to fulfill cultural obligations, passing on traditions and strengthening future generations.

Imbala Dancers

Imbala Consultancy is a First Nations owned and operated business that strives for excellence in delivering Aboriginal cultural education. We create a culturally attune space for cultural learning to take place. We are based in the Adelaide Hills on Peramangk Country. Imbala Consultancy is working in Partnership with Imbala Aboriginal Performance and Workshops by David Booth. Both businesses operate uniquely different however have a collaborative approach in working together to convey culturally sound and informative information to build culturally safe and meaningful relationships.

Imbala’s Dance Group consists of male and female dancers ranging from 4 to 35 years old. Our dance works are creatively choregraphed to tell stories through music, song and movement with the influence of traditional Aboriginal dance. Our new work showcases the journey through life and the aspects that connect us to our ancestors. With strong themes that highlight birth, loss, grief and reawakening. This interconnects life teachings that have been passed down from our elders and continued stories that are taught to the next generation.