Proud Wiradjuri woman, award-winning Australian author and Aboriginal literacy advocate, Dr Anita Heiss, will lead a star-studded line up of guest speakers alongside Nova Peris OAM and Mark ‘The Black Olive’ at the 2020 TAFE NSW Virtual Bangamalanha Conference this month. 

The fourth biennial Bangamalanha Conference will take place on 23 September in an exciting new format, bringing together stakeholders from across the country to engage in meaningful conversations to help improve Aboriginal post-school education, training and employment outcomes and create real and lasting improvements for Aboriginal peoples.  

One of Australia’s most prolific and well known author’s, Dr Heiss said that it was a privilege to have the opportunity to share her thoughts and experiences to inspire others through their work in the Aboriginal education sector. 

“Even virtually, we can share a space that connects people who are passionate about the education and employment journeys of Aboriginal people in NSW. Journeys that can ultimately take them across Australia and internationally. 

“Our futures as Aboriginal people and individuals as part of local and a national community, require a solid foundation that begins with the early years of education before our children even start school; it is the reason I am a Lifetime Ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. 

“If those foundations are strong and remain supported, then pathways into secondary and higher education should be, for most, effortless. But of course, we know that for many that is not always the case, which is why those who choose to work in the vocational education sector demonstrate an admirable commitment to mob and I believe we all have a role to play.” 

TAFE NSW Senior Manager of Aboriginal Engagement for Western and New England regions, Cedelia Duke, said Bangamalanha is Wiradjuri for ‘to share with each other’.  

“The virtual format of the conference means that people across Australia will have unprecedented access to the Bangamalanha Conference to share stories of successful education and training programs, approaches, and most importantly, help deliver positive outcomes for Aboriginal peoples. 

“TAFE NSW is Australia’s leading training provider and we’re incredibly proud that we have been able to virtually gather so many wonderful, inspirational Aboriginal speakers for the conference despite COVID-19,” Ms Duke said. 

The conference is open to the public and tickets can be purchased by visiting, https://www.tafensw.edu.au/bangamalanha 

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515.