UQ School of Public Health Professor in Indigenous Health Research Professor Gail Garvey is named as one of 52 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people changing the world, along with UQ’s Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and Professor James Ward.
The following excerpt is from Cosmos.
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July to celebrate and recognise: “the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
In 1956 major Aboriginal organisations, and state and federal governments, all supported the formation of the “National Aborigines Day Observance Committee” (NADOC) and the second Sunday in July became a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage.
In 1991 with a growing awareness of the distinct cultural histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NADOC was expanded to NAIDOC to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture.
Cosmos is grateful for the support of the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) and Australia’s five Learned Academies who helped us to create this list of 52 leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are changing the world.
Professor Gail Garvey is a proud Kamilaroi woman and Professor in Indigenous Health Research at UQ's School of Public Health. She was among the first researchers to recognise the substantial impact of cancer on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and her work has contributed to key policy and practice change to improve their cancer outcomes.
Professor James Ward is a Pitjantjatjara and Nukunu man, an epidemiologist and national leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research specialising in infectious diseases. He is currently the Director of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at UQ.
Professor Bronwyn Fredericks is a proud Murri woman and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at UQ, leading the implementation of the Indigenous strategy and of UQ’s first Reconciliation Plan. Her multidisciplinary research has a strong practice-based commitment to social justice and improving health, education, and life outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
Read the full list of change makers
