Day 1 - Monday 20 May

Day 2 - Tuesday 21 May

The Hon. Kyam Maher MLC – Attorney General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector 

Kyam Maher, South Australia’s first Aboriginal Attorney-General, served as Aboriginal Affairs Minister in the Weatherill Labor Government guiding important reforms such as being the first State in Australia to commence Treaty negotiations with Aboriginal Nations and implementing a Stolen Generations reparations scheme.

Erma Ranieri PSM – Commissioner for Public Sector Employment 

Erma Ranieri was appointed Commissioner in 2014, leading sector-wide reform to modernise the public sector and build on its value and service to the South Australian community. With a key focus on diversity and gender equality in leadership as business imperatives for the public sector, Erma continues to challenge cultural and structural barriers to drive innovative, collaborative and connected services for the community.

April Lawrie - Commissioner for Aboriginal Children & Young People

April Lawrie (Mirning / Kokatha) is dedicated to creating generational change for all children. For more than 30 years, April has led systemic reform in Aboriginal health, justice, education and child protection. For over 30 years, April Lawrie has contributed to policy, service and innovation regarding Aboriginal health, education, child and family welfare, foster care, and youth justice services across metropolitan and regional areas, including rural and remote South Australia.

Shouwn Oosting – Principal Consultant, KSJ Consulting Service 

Shouwn Oosting (Waanyi Garrwa) is an Aboriginal engagement consultant that has over 25 years’ experience working in both the federal and state public sector with a strong focus on Aboriginal affairs, policy coordination and program delivery.  His expertise includes the development and delivery of Aboriginal engagement and economic participation plans, Reconciliation Action Plans and public participation plans. Shouwn is also a current Board Member with the South Australian Film Corporation and Country Arts SA and holds membership on several RAP working groups and committees.

Rebecca Wessels – Founder and CEO, Ochre Dawn 

Rebecca Wessels (Ngarrindjeri/Perarmangk) founded Ochre Dawn Creative Industries, was former Chair of Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute and is currently Board Member for Ronald McDonald House Charities SA and South Australia’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. With years of experience in community services, IT and youth work, Rebecca works collaboratively with the private sector, government and not for profit organisations to drive sustainability, authenticity and innovation.

Nerida Saunders - Executive Director of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Attorney-General's Department

Nerida Saunders (Murri) was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2016 for her outstanding public service in the provision of leadership and advocacy in Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Her previous positions include Director of Culture and Heritage in the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division, General Manager of the Aboriginal Housing Authority and Executive Director of Children Youth and Family Services within the Department of Families and Communities. Nerida has a long involvement with social justice issues and was previously a member of the Aboriginal Justice Consultative Committee.

Tanya McGregor – CEO Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia

Tanya McGregor (Yaruwu) has more than 10 years’ experience at a senior and executive level developing state-wide Aboriginal health strategy and policy across South Australia and the Northern Territory.  Tanya represented Aboriginal Health in the role of Chief Aboriginal Health Officer for SA Health and in this role, she engaged community and collaborated with partners in system wide policy and planning to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities. Tanya has extensive experiences on Committees, Boards and Ministerial Councils.

Marnie O’Meara – Strategic Project Officer, SA Health

Marnie O’Meara (Arrente) is a Strategic Project Officer at SA Health and was finalist for the Women’s and Childrens Health Network Young Professional of the Year Award.

Tyrone Hughes – Senior Project Officer, Aboriginal Workforce Projects, SA Health 

Tyrone Hughes (Arunt/ Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti) career in government started as a trainee with the former Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and was Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Finalist in 2019.

Nikiesha McNamara - Manager, First Nations Partnerships and Reconciliation at Department for Environment and Water

Nikiesha McNamara serves as the Manager of First Nations Partnerships and Reconciliation at the Department for Environment and Water. Her role involves fostering meaningful relationships with First Nations communities, recognizing their rights, interests, and obligations to speak for their Country.

Eugene Warrior Junior– Program Manager, Aboriginal Language Interpreting Services – Department of Human Services 

Eugene Warrior Junior (Wirungu Kokatha Bungala)is a former professional AFL player and has worked in government for over 17 years in event planning, project management and leadership.

Lauren Letton – Principal Business Coordinator Trade, Department for Trade and Investment

Lauren Letton (Ngarrindjeri/Narungga) has worked across government in project management, media and auditing. An MBA graduate from the University of South Australia, Lauren has held positions with the Women’s and Children’s Health Network, SA Police and former Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

Tamara Young – Founder Wonky Lines Counselling

Tamara Young (Kamilaroi/ Bigambul) is the founder of Wonky Lines Counselling (WLC) in Adelaide's Northern Suburbs on Kaurna Country. Overcoming personal challenges, Tamara’s journey, fuelled by the power of storytelling, positions her as an advocate for personal empowerment. As a qualified Narrative Therapist, Tamara is dedicated to guiding individuals to find their own solutions, fostering resilience and helping people break Intergenerational Trauma Cycles one day at a time.

On the registration form you will be asked to select four career & professional development workshops (from a choice of six different workshops). Please note there are a limited number of places for each workshop, and every effort will be made to meet your preferences.

Session 1

Using your Performance Development Plan for your professional development

Your Performance Development process is a tool for your professional development and career path. It’s the opportunity to get feedback on your performance at work and enhance your professional relationship with your line manager. Learn how to get the most out of this to ensure this process works for you.

Session 2

Future focus - identify your career goals

What do I want my work and community contributions to be? How do I get there? Explore the blockers and enablers to your career goals. Discuss strategies to deal with these to ensure you are on the career path of your choice.

Session 3

Finding your voice and telling your story with confidence

Story telling has been a strength of community since time immemorial. In this interactive session, explore the power of storytelling as both a tool for educating as well as a tool for presenting your best self.  Tamara Young will work with participants to:

• craft a compelling storyline
• embrace authenticity
• use vivid imagery and descriptive language
• involve your audience

Session 4

Taking charge of my career progression – developing your CV and cover letter

Your curriculum vitae and cover letter are often the first tool at hand for winning that next job.  Learn to write your CV to ensure it provides evidence of your knowledge, skills and experience. Learn what to include and what not to include and learn how to use language that clearly illustrates who you are and what your strengths are.

Session 5

Clarifying my purpose - what’s my why?

Knowing what we do professionally and how we do it is important.  Understanding your WHY will help you align your career with your purpose and increase job satisfaction.  This session will walk you through a process to help you clarify your personal WHY statement.

Session 6

Using LinkedIn to promote your career

LinkedIn has become the Facebook of the professional world with many professionals securing their next job via this platform. Learn how to:

• set up your profile to clearly illustrate the professional strengths you have.
• effectively network on LinkedIn and develop new connections
• post and promote your work.