Make a Difference! Stand with First Nations peoples
Join us to mark International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples and International Allyship Day 2025 as we hold a vibrant celebration of First Nations allyship. Everyone is welcome!
Listen, learn, and grow your skills in respect, justice and action.
Bring your heart, curiosity, and dancing shoes!
We will open with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country by Kabi Kabi First Nations, Kerry Neill and a special traditional performance by the Undumbi Dancers.
Hear what First Nations allies need to know about racism in Australia from Adjunct Prof David Hollinsworth. The trends, the drivers and what we, as allies, can do about racism.
Learn about the Sunshine Coast Council's 'Shine a Light on Racism' campaign from Kim Price, the campaign organiser and Council Community Development Officer. Goals, outcomes and what part we, as allies, can play.
Panel discussion about what all First Nations allies need to know about being a good ally, with lots of time for audience questions for the panel.
Closing with a celebratory dance with the Undumbi Dance Troupe. Everyone is welcome to join in!
A complimentary morning tea will be served. Thai lunch available for purchase.
Speakers include:
Christine Thomas is a proud Wakka Wakka woman; CEO Cygnet Centre for Peace Building and Transformation; experienced restorative justice worker and campaigner for youth; and a Shine a Light on Racism ambassador.
Kerry Neill is a descendant of the Kabi Kabi, Waka Waka South Sea Islander people and has strong cultural and family ties with the sunshine coast and surrounding areas. He is the Director of the Hope Dreaming Centre and Triballink, the home of Goombuckar Indigenous Cultural bus and Triballink Activity Centre.
Stephen Mam is a proud Torres Strait Islander; he is a dedicated leader with 25+ years in community development and advocacy. As WorkCover Queensland's First Nations Community Engagement Specialist and founder of the First Nations Action Network, he champions First Nations voices. Stephen led Queensland's 2023 Yes23 campaign and previously served as First Nations Senior Advisor for Sunshine Coast Council.
Walters Nkemfack is a proud Cameroonian. He is a community organiser for the Queensland Community Alliance, working with multicultural groups and in support of First Nations initiatives. He is also a board member of Reconciliation Queensland and an ambassador for the Shine a Light on Racism campaign.
David Hollinsworth is an Adjunct Professor in Indigenous Studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast. David taught Indigenous studies and anti-racism at the University of South Australia from 1979-1997 and at the University of the Sunshine Coast from 2003-2019.
Cr Tim Burns is the Sunshine Coast Council, Councillor for Division 3. He is a strong community and social services professional with a Master's degree focused in Development Practice-Community Development from The University of Queensland.
Facilitators:
Kim Price is a Sunshine Coast Council Community Development Officer ; the organiser of the 'Shine a Light on Racism' campaign and the Chairperson for the Council's Multicultural Advisory Group.
Fiona McGill is Chairperson of the Sunshine Coast Reconciliation Group. She studied Anthropology and Archaeology at the ANU at the time when ‘Mungo Man’ & ‘Mungo Woman’ had recently been found. She was fortunate to be involved in several archaeological field work expeditions to Mungo and the south coast of New South Wales.
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