Day 1 speakers

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

Kyam Maher is South Australia’s first Aboriginal Attorney-General. He has held the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio since 2015, both in Government and in Opposition. As Aboriginal Affairs Minister in the Weatherill Government, he guided important reforms such as being the first state in Australia to commence Treaty negotiations with Aboriginal Nations and implementing a Stolen Generations reparations scheme.

Nerida Saunders PSM - Executive Director, 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 have included 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.

Aboriginal Women’s Business Clinic Team - Central Adelaide Local Health Network & Northern Adelaide Local Health Network

The Aboriginal Women’s Business Clinic is transforming health outcomes for Aboriginal women in Adelaide’s west. The clinic connected more than 30 women to services and a support network offering culturally responsive, accessible gynaecological care. The clinic’s timely interventions have led to early cancer detection, saving lives and re-engaging women who had previously been lost to care.

Day 2 speakers

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, inclusive, collaborative and connected services for the community.

Stan Grant – Renowned journalist and author

Stan Grant is a renowned journalist, author, moral philosopher, thinker, film maker and communicator. He has had a groundbreaking four-decade career as one of Australia’s most awarded journalists. A Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Dharrawal man, Stan has blazed a trail for First Nations journalists. In a career of firsts, he was the first Indigenous Political Correspondent, the first Indigenous Foreign Correspondent, and the first Indigenous person to present a prime-time commercial television news and current affairs program.

Kimberley Wanganeen – Owner and Principal Consultant, Kimberley Wanganeen Consultancy

Kimberley Wanganeen is a proud Narrunga, Kaurna and Kokatha woman. She was born and raised on Boandik Country and has been living and working on Kaurna Country since 2006. Kimberley’s career spanned across SA Government departments, non-Government organisations and non-profits, holding leadership roles and guiding and influencing cultural practice and cultural safety. In 2022, Kimberley founded Kimberley Wanganeen Consultancy to share her learnings and expertise with a broad range of organisations.

Marius Liddle – Owner/Director, MTL Consulting

Marius Liddle is an Arrernte man and Director of MTL Consulting Services, a 100% Aboriginal-owned consultancy focused on strengthening Aboriginal voice in policy, programs, and workforce strategy. With over 15 years’ experience in government and community settings, Marius brings cultural insight and systems knowledge to his work and is committed to supporting Aboriginal people to shape decisions that impact their lives. Marius holds an MBA from the University of Adelaide and works across government, community, and business to support meaningful change.

You can access interactive breakout sessions and choose from workshops across six themes: Strengthen Skills, Strengthen Self, Strengthen Leadership, Your Voice, Your Life, Your Wellbeing.

You can register to attend three workshops each day based on what you find most beneficial to your individual career journey.

STRENGTHEN SKILLS

Exploring Motivation and Pathways – being the best version of yourself at work

Participants will explore:

• the role individual values, strengths and stories play in our motivation, decision making, communication styles and confidence at work
• the importance of creating psychological safety, and how this often begins by setting clear, co-created expectations including behaviours
• practical ideas for leveraging your values and strengths while managing your stories to spend more time being the best version of yourself at work.

Pathways to Study

Hear from the vocational education and training (VET) and higher education sectors on potential pathways to further education, fee free study, subsidies and access to schemes for Aboriginal people.

Navigating government recruitment processes and your own professional development priorities.

Participants will explore:

• the principles, parameters and expectations of your professional and career development
• the principles, parameters and expectations of recruitment, promotion and reclassification in the public sector
• how to leverage your professional and career development priorities in the public sector

STRENGTHEN SELF

Career Pathways and Planning

Tailored to those who are wanting to break though career plateaus and advance into more senior roles.

Panel – Advocating for Country, Community & Self

Strategies for self-advocacy that honour community obligations and country connections, without sacrificing personal health or agency.

Panel – Not Just Lucky to Be Here: Claiming Space, Leading Our Way

A strength-based discussion on overcoming imposter feelings, promoting your work with pride, and leading community with clarity and care.

STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP

Panel – Walking in Two Worlds, Leading in Our Own

Navigating the intersections of executive leadership and cultural responsibility with strength, strategy and community in mind.

Understanding Executive Recruitment

Tailored for those who aspire to one day work in director and executive level roles. Participants will learn how recruitment processes differ at these levels and how they can best prepare through networking, self-promotion and strategic connections.

Panel – The Realities of the Top End: Culture, Career and Connection

Senior leaders share the behind-the-scenes truths of executive leadership: from the internal challenges of imposter syndrome to the external pressures of visibility, influence and responsibility to mob.

Managing Systems, Leading Change

Explores how Aboriginal executives move beyond management into values-led leadership, bringing cultural intelligence and connection into complex systems.

YOUR VOICE

Opportunities for engagement on policies and programs that affect you

DSD Aboriginal Workforce Plan

Forming part of the South Australian Closing the Gap Implementation Plan 2024-26, the Department of State Development (DSD) is leading the development of an Aboriginal Workforce Development Plan for South Australia. The plan is intended to address challenges and opportunities for Aboriginal people around employment in government, private industry, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. DSD are also leading the development of an Aboriginal Adult Education and Training Strategy. This workshop provides an opportunity for participants to learn more and participate in discussions related to the development of these strategies.

Aboriginal Leadership Program Review

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment’s South Australian Leadership Academy is currently reviewing its Aboriginal Leadership Program to improve the impact and cater to the aspirations of emerging Aboriginal leaders. This is your opportunity to help shape how the Aboriginal Leadership Program will be delivered in the future.

Public Sector Anti-Racism Strategy

Learn more about the Anti-Racism Strategy 2023-2028 and Action Plan which outlines how the South Australian Government will develop a public sector workforce that is culturally capable and rejects racism in all its forms.

YOUR LIFE

Connect with services that could assist your life outside of work

Home Ownership Initiatives

Hear from Indigenous Business Australia regarding their Indigenous Home Ownership Program and hear from SA Housing Trust about the newly announced Rent to Buy scheme.

Understanding Your Entitlements

Hear from Super SA on how to maximise your super and hear from SMART on salary packing benefits and vehicle novated leasing packages.

YOUR WELLBEING

Learn and understand strategies to look after yourself inside and outside of work

Self Care Strategies with Wonky Lines

Hear from Tamara Young from Wonky Lines counselling about maintaining wellbeing by combining evidence-based methods with Narrative Therapy lens.

Culture and Connection

A variety of sessions will be available for you to connect with culture and those around you, including:

• live music
• Kaurna language workshop
• weaving
• painting
• River Torrens tours