Cirrus@Austlit

'I am Wiradjuri, and my day job is CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) based in Redfern, Sydney. We work in collaboration with other organisations to create positive social change and sustainable life-changing programs focusing on excellence and innovation. We are cultivating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ talent, enrich their potential and create opportunities.' (Introduction)

'I am from Brisbane, Australia and I work for Digi Youth Arts (DYA). We aim to empower Indigenous youth through creative expression and storytelling and to help nurture empathetic relationships and positive social change. Our first production, Glad Tomorrow, explores the challenges and benefits of young adolescents leaving Indigenous communities to receive an education.' (Introduction)

'I am a Kamilaroi/Dharug woman living and working primarily on Cadigal country in Sydney. I work as a project manager for Winangali, which is a small Indigenous consultancy that specialises in Indigenous community engagement. The word Winangali is from my grandmother’s language and it means “to know, to listen and to remember”.' (Introduction)

'Ngadhu gadil Jeremy, ngadhu biiba gurra gami bulaan gadil Gaia. Bula Kalaw Lagaw Ya yirrgaalgal, ngadhu babi Guugu Yimidhirr yirrgaalgal.

'Story teller, part time footballer. Cape York, North Australia.' (Introduction)

'I am a musician, singer and songwriter of Aboriginal and South Sea Islander decent. My Aboriginal heritage is from the Bundjalung nation of Northern New South Wales and my South Sea heritage is from the Island of Tanna in Vanuatu. I grew up in Bowen, North Queensland. I spent my childhood years swimming and fishing in the local rivers, eating loads of mangos and learning how to play the guitar. I now live in Sydney and work professionally in the music industry. ' (Introduction)

'I’m Shellie Morris! I’ve performed on stages from Melbourne to Vancouver Winter Olympics, Japan and London and am a feature artist with the Black Arm Band. I’ve been lucky to work with the likes of multiple Grammy Award-winner Gilberto Gil, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Mavis Staples, Tim Rogers, Yothu Yindi, Warumpi Band, Paul Dempsey, Jimmy Barnes and Mischelle Ngecell. My grandmothers, aunties and I have just released a language album, Ngambala Wiji li-Wunungu – which translates from Yanyuwa to Together We Are Strong. It’s the highlight of my career and has put our languages on the map.' (Introduction)

'I’m Sarah, my family are Wiradjuri although I spent most of my life in the north of NSW. I’m a recent university graduate, writer and public servant currently exploring Europe and the UK. Currently trying the old cliche of “finding myself and my voice”. I like to write screenplays, essays, life blogs and articles. I’m mad for romance novels and feminist theory. If it wasn’t so expensive I’d be at the movies everyday!' (Introduction)

'My name is Sean Choolburra, I’m originally from Townsville, QLD but I have been living in Sydney, NSW for the past 23 years. I’m an Indigenous comedian and entertainer.' (Introduction)

'I am a Darug woman and descendant of Yarramundi, from the western suburbs of Sydney. I work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family welfare. I currently work as a project officer at the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, the peak national body that represents the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.' (Introduction)

'My name is Benson Saulo, I grew up in Tamworth, NSW but my family is from the Wergaia and Gunditjmara nations of Western Victoria and the New Ireland Provence of Papua New Guinea. I am the director of the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA), which is a program of the Foundation for Young Australians.' (Introduction)

'I’m a Meriam, Wuthathi and Bindal Juri woman who thrives on saltwater and sunshine, born in Brisbane and high schooled in Gladstone. I’m a proud a Magaram Meriam woman, a descendant of Su Tabo from Murray Island and Douglas Pitt from Jamaica who brought the light and settled on Darnley Island in the Torres Strait. That’s my paternal grandfather’s side.' (Introduction)

'Communicator. Amateur cook. Passionate. Student. Workaholic. Dreamer. Punctual. People lover. Blogger.' (Introduction)

'I am a descendant of the Worimi people of the Manning Valley and have Scottish/Irish heritage. I’m the executive officer of the First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN Australia). The FPDN seeks to be a strong voice of and for Aboriginal people with disabilities. The board of FPDN is made up entirely of Aboriginal people with disability. I have been instrumental in establishing both the FPDN and the Aboriginal Disability Network NSW. Back in 2004 and 2005 I undertook a major consultative project visiting Aboriginal communities across the state of New South Wales, discussing the unmet needs of Aboriginal people with disability directly with Aboriginal people with disability and their carers. This culminated in the report entitled “Telling It Like It Is“. (Introduction)

'I’m Emily, a born and raised Sydney (Northern Beaches) girl with Birri Gubba (North Queensland), Murray Island (Torres Strait) and Welsh heritage from my dad’s side and Dutch and English from my mum’s side of the family.' (Introduction)

'I am a Bundjalung/Widjabul woman from the north coast of NSW. I come from a very strong political mission family; my father was instrumental with the milestones such as the 67 Referendum, FCAATSI and the establishment of the Koori Mail to name a few. This blood runs through my veins.' (Introduction)

'I’m Tim, the son of an Aboriginal woman and non-Aboriginal man. I’m a Yuin man from the South Coast of New South Wales, like my grandfather, who grew up at a mission at Wallaga Lake. My grandmother was a Wiradjuri woman who grew up at a mission at Narrandera. Both of them moved to Sydney and raised their children primarily just “off the mish” at La Perouse. My dad grew up in Adelaide and joined the Army when he was 17. He met my mum while he was stationed in Sydney.' (Introduction)

'My name is Dion Devow and I am an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man and a father of three. I was born and raised in Darwin but moved in Canberra in 1994 to attend university. After graduating with a bachelor of applied science in health education, I decided to stay. On my father’s side I am Manbarra. We are traditional owners for the Palm Island Group in North Queensland, and South Sea Islanders (Kanakas) from Tanna Island. My mother’s people are from Erub or Darnley Island in the eastern Islands of the Torres Strait.' (Introduction)

'I am a Tasmanian Aboriginal woman. After completing medicine at the University of Newcastle in 2003, I am now a general practitioner. I have been affiliated with the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) since its inception and have been made proud so many times of our organisation and its members. Currently, I am the president of AIDA. I live in Scone, NSW with my husband and three children.' (Introduction)

'I am a Narungga man born on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia. I’m married to my wife Mary and we have two children, Peter and Lorraine, and care for our great nephew Haymysh. I graduated as a teacher in the late 1970s and have been involved in the education profession for over 35 years in numerous roles; I now work at the university of South Australia as a professor and dean: Indigenous scholarship, engagement and research.' (Introduction)