Second Keynote Speaker Announced, Awards Open and Program Outline - NATSIEHC22
2022 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference Update
We are now just over 2 months away from the 2022 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC22), which will take place on Larrakia country in Darwin on Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 May 2022.
Second Keynote Speaker Announced
We are delighted to announce that Thomas Mayor has accepted our invitation to provide a keynote presentation to NATSIEHC22. Thomas is a lead campaigner for the Uluru Statement from the Heart proposal for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice and the author of Dear Son – Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons.
Thomas is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man.
He was a wharf labourer for sixteen years and is an official of the Maritime Union of Australia, working as the National Indigenous Officer of the union. He is the author of four books as well as essays and articles published in the Griffith Review, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian. His present works cover both historical and contemporary First Nations struggles including his extensive work campaigning for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, biographical narratives, fatherhood, masculinity, love and race.
Thomas was inspired to write his first book: Finding the Heart of the Nation - the Journey of the Uluru Statement towards Voice, Treaty and Truth, after being entrusted to carry the sacred Uluru Statement from the Heart canvas to Australians from all walks of life, soon after its creation in the heart of the country in 2017.
Thomas traveled throughout the nation for eighteen months with the Uluru Statement, taking it to the smallest of communities to large city gatherings, playing a key role in building the peoples movement for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice to what it is today. His first children’s book: Finding Our Heart, is a childrens book about the Uluru Statement. It has been a roaring success because of its contemporary art and powerful truth telling with a uniquely clear call to action.
Thomas’ most recent works are a childrens book about the Gurindji Wave Hill Walk Off, Freedom Day - Vincent Lingiari and the story of the Wave Hill Walk-off; and Dear Son - Letters and reflections from First Nations fathers and sons.
In Dear Son, Thomas invites twelve other First Nations men to join him, writing about life, love, masculinity and racism. Thomas writes that Dear Son is a celebration of First Nations men - an act of defiance against everything they were taught about themselves, and the stereotype taught to all Australians.
Thomas continues to passionately advocate for workers rights and for a constitutionally enshrined Voice – the key proposal in the Uluru Statement. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network, advises the Diversity Council of Australia and the From the Heart campaign, and is an executive member of the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council. His writing journey continues also, with several other books in development with release dates planned for 2023 and 2024.
2022 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Awards
The 2022 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Awards recognise achievements and contributions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health. Formerly known as the Leaky Pipe Awards, the sector awards are aligned with the Conference theme – Our Vision in Our Hands – set by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Conference Leadership Group. This broad theme recognises work to improve access to eye care for Indigenous Australians that have an element of promoting and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and ownership of the sector’s work and vision.
Nominations are open for the 2022 awards, in the following categories:
- Contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health by Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO)
- Contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health (Individual)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in eye health
- Allyship in contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health
We are particularly interested in identifying and acknowledging the ‘unsung heroes’ in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health.
Nominations Close COB 22 April 2022
Conference Program
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Conference Leadership Group and Conference Program Advisory Group have been working hard to develop a great and high value event for all delegates. The Conference program is coming together and will comprise: Keynote presentations, Table top presentations, Workshops, Plenary and concurrent papers, Posters, Exhibition tables, Campfire discussions, Welcome function, Conference dinner, and Awards.
See below for an outline of the structural framework across the three days of the conference. As we finalise more details, we will further populate the program.
Draft Program Outline
