Building cultural capability and awareness
barpangu yurpangu Speaker Series
The barpangu yurpangu Speaker Series is a calendar of speaker events created for the purpose of fostering greater awareness of First Nations culture and communities, First Nations experiences and viewpoints on agriculture and self-determination.
The events provide opportunities for people involved in agriculture to build their awareness of First Nations narratives and thought leadership and to provide a platform for First Nations people to contribute and engage in narratives around agriculture and self-determination.
Our speaker events
A range of topics discussed in our speaker series include:
- Aboriginal culture
- Aboriginal self-determination
- Aboriginal interests in agriculture
- Aboriginal people participating in agriculture.
Our webinars are free for anybody to view.
How to participate in our webinars
There are 3 easy steps to participate:
- Register for the webinars that interest you before the RSVP date.
- Once registered, an email confirming your selected webinar will be sent to you.
- One or 2 working days prior to each webinar you will receive an email with a unique URL link and step-by-step instructions on how to log in.
Coming events
May
First Nations Women in agriculture – panel session
Monday 19 May, 11 am – 12 pm
Our newest barpangu yurpangu Speaker Series event is focused on the experiences of First Nations women in agriculture. Facilitated by Beth Jones, CEO of Agriculture Victoria, our guest panel members, Elizabeth Mace, Kerry Arabena and Jocelyn King speak about their experience in agriculture, the challenges in navigating access to participation in the sector and their aspirations for the future.
Event Registration Link - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F76QSnjlR-2VeX1ku9_yCw
Passcode: 804242
About the presenters
Elizabeth Mace - Operations Manager, Dalki Garringa Native Nursery
Elizabeth Mace is a Jadawadjali and Jupagulk woman from the Wotjobaluk Nations. She has had a long career in Horticulture and agronomy in the Goulbourn Valley as a tree fruit and crop advisor starting as an apprentice in nursery and working her way through the industry. During this time, she held the position of Deputy Chair for Fruit Growers Victoria, the peak industry body for apples and pears and was part of the implementations for Fruit Fly Area Wide Management, export protocols of Summer Fruit to China and inspection of citrus and vine fruits to Europe and Indonesia.
Elizabeth is the Operations Manager at Dalki Garringa Native Nursery, part of the Barengi Gadjin Aboriginal Land Council which has enable her to move onto Country and use her skills in the enterprise.
Elizabeth is passionate about ensuring Traditional Owners are included in the Native foods conversation and feels strongly about protecting ICIP and that First Nations businesses can lead the industry from the front.
Professor Kerry Arabena - Managing Director of Karabena Consulting, Ilan Style, and First 1000 Days Australia
A descendant of the Meriam people from the Torres Strait, Kerry’s work has brought her to the forefront of Indigenous affairs in Australia. A former social worker with a Doctorate in Environmental Science, Kerry has worked in not for profit, community controlled and academic institutions, holding senior positions such as the inaugural Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne, lead researcher of First 1000 Days Australia and Director of Indigenous Health Research at Monash University.
Kerry is a proud owner of a block of land in the Macedon Ranges where she is planning a native bush garden and is serving as custodian of the bushlands.
Jocelyn King - Minister for Finance at Djanaba Farm
Bundjalung by descent, Gadigal by birth and Wollombi by lore. Culture is the foundation for all of Jocelyn’s personal and professional skills.
Jocelyn is a results-driven Executive with over 25 years of progressive experience across the Government, NFP and Indigenous business sectors. Jocelyn is experienced at analysing social, community, economic and environmental trends to shape innovation. As the founding Director and CEO of First Australians Capital Jocelyn was responsible for guiding innovation and investment in Indigenous economic development by philanthropic and institutional investors.
Jocelyn’s vision for the future is clear: democratize capital to address racial inequity in Australia’s finance sector and create long-term social and environmental impact within our communities. She is focused on incorporating First Nations governance principles, along with a concept she calls ‘Radical Transparency’ to include community in the way that capital is deployed.
In her spare time Jocelyn is in the process of transforming a degraded dairy/beef backgrounding property into a bushfoods demonstration property.
Beth Jones - Panel Facilitator
Beth Jones is the Deputy Secretary and Chief Executive of Agriculture Victoria within the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action. An experienced leader in the Victorian Public Sector, Beth has held executive roles across various portfolios including agriculture, regional development, forestry, outdoor recreation, emergency management and resources.
Beth was recognised in the Top 50 Public Sector Women in 2018. She holds an Honours degree in Applied Science and an MBA. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Beth was recently awarded the Sir James Wolfensohn Public Service Scholarship to study at Harvard Kennedy School in 2023.
Past events
March
Professor Andrew Gunstone, Leading international authority in reconciliation. (No recording available)
February
Joshua Gilbert, Indigenous consultant, agriculturalist and innovator
Truth-telling and engaging with Indigenous peoples is pivotal to the success of Australian agriculture. Indigenous people own over 60% of Australia’s landmass today, with great potential in incorporating Indigenous knowledges with land ownership for local self-determination. From bushfoods or native foods to modern agriculture, realising Aboriginal culture as fluid unlocks conversations within the farming section and beyond.
This presentation unpacked opportunities for Indigenous agriculture, shared historic elements of importance, unpacked the current state and provided an understanding of opportunities for the future.
Watch the recording on Zoom.
Passcode: pCis&S