CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Thomas Mayo
Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the National Indigenous Officer of the MUA. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network, advises the Diversity Council of Australia and the From the Heart campaign, and is an executive member of the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council. Thomas is the author of four books, and has articles and essays published in The Guardian, Griffith Review and Sydney Morning Herald.
Dr Rachal Sharman
Dr Rachael Sharman is a senior lecturer and researcher in psychology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, specialising in child and adolescent development.
Prior to her career in academia, Dr Sharman worked for over 15 years in a variety of child-related fields including child protection, juvenile justice (forensics), disability, advocacy and genetic research.
Dr Sharman’s research is focused on the optimal and healthy development of the paediatric brain and she has published over 30 peer reviewed journal articles, two book chapters, one book and is a volume editor for The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development.
Professor Pasi Sahlberg
Pasi Sahlberg is Finnish teacher, academic, and global thought-leader. He has worked as a schoolteacher, teacher-educator, academic, and policymaker in Finland, and he has advised schools and education system leaders around the world. He is a recipient of several awards for his lifelong service in education and defense of children’s rights, including the 2012 Education Award (Finland), the 2014 Robert Owen Award (Scotland), the 2016 Lego Prize (Denmark), and 2021 Dr Paul Brock Memorial Medal in Australia. His most recent books are "Let the Children Play: How more play will save our schools and help children thrive" (2019, with William Doyle) and "In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish way to world-class schools" (2021, with Tim Walker). His forthcoming book (with Bill Doyle) is The Post-Digital Child: The Coming Golden Age of Low-Tech Childhood. Pasi is Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Melbourne in Australia, and he lives in Melbourne with his wife and two sons.
Te Waikamihi & Mark Lowndes
Kia Ora, Ko Te waikamihi tōku ingoa
He uri tēnei nō Te Arawa, Mataatua me Ngāti porou.
My name is Te Waikamihi, I am a descendant of the Te Arawa, Mataatua and Ngāti porou tribes.
I am a the founder of Te hau Tawhiti, We are a kapahaka or Māori performing arts cultural group based here in Brisbane, Australia.
Established in 2018 we formed as a senior ‘kapahaka’ group and have now re-opened our doors to youth as we realise the positive effects of kapahaka’ and the many elements that enhances mental, social, physical and holistic health or as we the Māori people call “Te whare tapawhā”. The four pillars that sustain our lives.
Kapahaka provides members with an insight into Te ao Māori and also provides a professional platform to express themselves entirely in our language,Te reo Māori.
Our performers embody a physical manifestation of their ancestors when they perform traditional songs and dances.
The ultimate goal for Te hau tawhiti is that a legacy is left for the next generation of tamariki or Māori children living abroad to ensure the māori, language, stories, songs and dances continue on.
Nāku iti nei.
Te waikamihi Korohina