Speakers

Natalie was born to parents living in high-rise public housing in the inner city before moving to the western suburbs which gave Natalie her passion for enabling equitable opportunities in Melbourne’s west. Natalie attended public school in Melbourne’s West where a teacher inspired her passion for politics which eventually lead her to run for Parliament. Natalie also became the first woman elected as Assistant Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Council in 1996. Natalie is committed to ensuring her electorate in Melbourne’s West is fair and inclusive, reflecting the active, diverse, resilient and proud community that she represents. From her days as a union official to a small business owner, a mum to a Minister, Natalie is committed to fighting for workers, and ensuring a better future for all Victorians. She has always been a fierce advocate for gender equality, for workers’ rights and for justice for Aboriginal Victorians. In her previous roles, Natalie created laws to improve conditions for vulnerable workers through regulating Labour Hire and introducing portable long service leave, she strengthened Aboriginal cultural heritage laws, established Respect Victoria and worked to divert people away from the justice system. Building on her work leading the Government’s historic commitment to Treaty with Traditional Owners through the 2018 Treaty Act, Natalie is committed to continuing to lead the Truth and Treaty processes in Victoria.

Vicki Ward MP has represented Eltham District since November 2014. She grew up in this community and is now raising her two children with her partner in Eltham. Prior to entering politics, Vicki studied Arts at La Trobe University going on to run her own small business, teach at RMIT, work in disability, hospitality and had a stint as a swimming instructor. She studied Arts at La Trobe University and Vicki had the privilege of working as an Advisor to former Rudd/Gillard Minister, the Hon. Jenny Macklin MP. Vicki has served on the Environment and Natural Resources Joint Committee, delivering the important report into the Fiskville CFA training facility. She has also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Industry, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport and Transport Infrastructure and Parliamentary Secretary for Education. In October 2023 Vicki was appointed Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Employment. Working collaboratively, especially with the community, to deliver the best outcomes is something which Vicki is passionate about. She has seen firsthand how improving access to services and support will in turn deliver greater opportunities. Having grown up with community at the centre of her childhood, she learnt early on the importance of being involved, volunteerism and simply, if you want to get something done, get in there and help. Vicki believes in the important role Government’s play in supporting people in finding and creating opportunities for themselves, while also extending a helping hand to those who are struggling. She is passionate about delivering programs and pathways that improve people's lives.

Timeah is a Ewamian & Djungan woman from Far North Queensland who moved to Rubibi (Broome) two years ago with her partner and children. Timeah is a successful business owner, mother of four and as of this year, Youth Training and Employment Coordinator at Nyamba Buru Yawuru where she oversees the Warrmijala Murrgulayi (Rise up to Work) pre-employment program. This initiative delivers culturally integrated training and industry-specific employment pathways, guided by the Mabu Liyan (good well-being) Framework. The framework shapes the program's design, implementation, and evaluation through a holistic cultural approach focused on individual and community well-being. Timeah has been instrumental in strengthening the program, aligning it with Nyamba Buru Yawuru’s cultural frame work and values and supporting the Yawuru mission and vision. Her work ensures young participants can confidently move through the program’s three phases: YINYJAYI NGANDIRAN (The Beginning), YINYJA (The Journey), and WANYJI BURU (The Future). Her impressive CV includes roles across the health, education, community development and arts portfolios as a change maker and leader for social impact. It’s the combination of her strong cultural identity, professional and personal experiences that inform Timeah’s passionate approach to building the next generation of Aboriginal leaders and supporting local young people to achieve their fullest potential, grounded in their cultural identity.

Known for her commitment to community engagement, Zippi has forged strong local connections throughout her career. Actively partnering with local businesses, hosting networking events for traders’ associations, and supports work experience students from diverse backgrounds and abilities. Her multifaceted journey—spanning front office operations, event management, reservations, and revenue management—demonstrates her dedication to understanding every aspect of the business and hospitality industry, ensuring she contributes to the bigger picture. Since joining Veriu Group in 2019 as a Cluster Revenue Manager, Zippi has made significant contributions to operations, successfully leading Punthill Essendon through the challenges of the pandemic and overseeing the opening of Punthill Essendon North in 2022. Her collaborative leadership style has been pivotal in fostering team growth, guiding a Super Host (Duty Manager) to transition into a Junior Hotel Manager at Punthill Essendon. This approach not only earned her a nomination for Hotel Manager of the Year but also contributed to Punthill Essendon winning the prestigious Hotel of the Year award in 2021. A passionate advocate for sustainability, Zippi is committed to redefining hospitality by incorporating local practices into the guest experience making it simple and seamless for guests to tread lightly during their travels. Recently, she stepped into the role of Hotel Manager for the highly anticipated Punthill Sunshine, located in Melbourne’s vibrant west. Under her leadership, this new hotel, featuring 90 apartments conveniently situated opposite the Sunshine train hub, is poised to mark an exciting new chapter for the community. Zippi is also dedicated to inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals by highlighting diverse career pathways, fostering a culture of collaboration and bringing a bit of your own passion and interest to what you do.

Christina (Goodman) is of Yuin descent and discovered her Indigenous heritage about ten years ago, having been raised outside of her cultural roots. Like her business partner, Linda, she was not raised within Indigenous culture but has developed her own unique connection to it through her art and work as Operations Manager for the Wangaba Roebourne Art Group. After leaving the art group in August 2023, Christina and Linda formed a business partnership, co-founding Cultural Living Colour (CLC). CLC is open to all artists, regardless of background, with the motto, "Colour Defines Our Art, Not Our Origins." Christina strongly believes that everyone has a right to representation, no matter their ancestry.

Karl is a leader in tourism market analysis, economic evaluation and program delivery who has brought high performance to teams in a range of organisations. After starting his career as an economist in Federal Treasury, he has 25 years’ experience as a tourism industry specialist working with the predecessor of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (as Director Tourism Investment team), TTF Australia, and Tourism Australia as Tourism and Aviation Economist as well as a private consultant. Working with SMA Tourism, Karl has undertaken market analysis and economic and social impact assessments to support Aboriginal tourism development projects in Victoria, NSW, Northern Territory, Western Australia and the ACT).

Suzanne was born and raised in outer Naarm (Melbourne, Victoria) before moving with her husband and two children to Ieramugardu (Roebourne, WA) In 2003 after being invited by the Elders to assist with the transition from non-Aboriginal to Aboriginal leadership in the Pilbara Aboriginal Church. Noel and Suzanne were privileged to be surrounded by a wonderful group of cultural mentors from day one as they fully immersed themselves in community. Noel was the local Prison Chaplain for 11 years with Suzanne assisting for 6 years. He was also the Assistant Funeral Director for the first 6 years and Suzanne managed the Sobering Up Shelter for 6 years whilst the new Church leadership decided where their vision and priorities were best utilized. Suzanne has a professional accounting, administration and business management background going back over 40 years and has been a self-employed Director for more than 17 years, managing multiple Australia Post Street Mail Delivery Contracts before formalizing her “textile crafting” into a business model in January 2018. Noel & Suzanne Philpot are the Directors of Grateful Remnants. The goodwill of the strong long-term relationships between the Philpot’s and the Roebourne community that has been built over more than 20 years has assisted in capacity building and entrepreneurial creative opportunities. Suzanne regularly facilitates Creative Textile Cultural Fusion Workshops that are designed to promote reconciliation, healing, and better understanding. Suzanne often collaborates with local Aboriginal Art and Language Groups to provide creative cultural fusion experiences for corporate groups, locals and tourists like “Tell Your Own Story”, or "Songlines and Truth Telling" Program run by Cultural Living Colour.

Kylie is an experienced tourism and indigenous engagement specialist with over 25 years’ working in the visitor sector. Throughout her career, she has worked in both a private and public sector capacity, managing projects across multiple markets at any one time. She has an extensive portfolio of knowledge related to indigenous tourism development, international and regional trade marketing, destination management, experience development, stakeholder relationship management and small business management. Kylie is a respectful and effective facilitator, building and maintaining professional and personal relationships and as a result she has broad industry and stakeholder contacts throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and most major markets in the world. Kylie is passionate about values-based tourism, specifically Indigenous tourism experiences.

With 35 years in hospitality and tourism across Japan, Malaysia and Australia, Michelle Sidebottom’s professional experience has seen her design, develop, and implement local to major State-wide business and workforce developmental projects with the private sector, non-profits, peak industry associations, and local, State and Federal government agencies. Based in Mandurah, Western Australia, Michelle is the Director of Breakaway Tourism, a consulting firm specialising in Aboriginal tourism development services; project management; and consultancy in the sectors of tourism, hospitality, accommodation, recreation, business, and workforce development. She is also the Director of Breakaway Parks (caravan & camping parks) and Avocet Island (hotel and licensed premises) and holds executive appointments on the Boards of the Peel Development Commission and Coolibah Care Inc, and the Governing Council of South Metropolitan TAFE.