Waminda, the only Indigenous all-female-led Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) in Australia, is set to host its inaugural Waminda National Conference from September 17-19, 2024, at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre in Nowra. This landmark three-day event, themed “Celebrating 40 Years of Aboriginal Women in Leadership,” promises to be a groundbreaking gathering.

The conference is a celebration of resilience, community strength, and visionary leadership, with a focus on honouring the past, examining the present, and shaping the future of Waminda. Attendees will engage with a rich tapestry of discussions and reflections, highlighting the profound impact Waminda has had over the last four decades.

The event will feature an impressive lineup of over 30 keynote speakers, including prominent figures such as Aunty June Oscar AO, Waminda’s Chief Executive Leadership; Cleone Wellington; Melanie Briggs; Professor Yvette Roe; Professor Roianne West; Maddy Hodgetts; Dr. Janine Gertz; Dr. Jackie Huggins and Professor Juanita Sherwood, among others.

The conference will delve into a variety of critical and thought-provoking topics, such as Health and Mob Wellness, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Spirituality, Institutional Systems, Matriarchal Leadership and Decolonisation, Birthing on Country - Our Way, Media and Blak Business Leadership, The Voice Referendum, and Treaty - Where to from Here? Additionally, attendees will explore the future of Waminda and its community over the next 40 years, the concept of Imperfect Allies - Non-Indigenous women learning how to walk alongside Indigenous women and the community, and the premiere of the Waminda Documentary on Self-Determination and Matriarchal Leadership.

In addition to the panel discussions and keynote addresses, the conference will offer healing sessions, including Weaving, Spiritual Healing, and Being Workshops, providing a holistic approach to well-being and cultural connection.

Waminda, now celebrating 40 years of unwavering dedication and leadership, stands as a beacon of empowerment for Aboriginal women. It is home to Australia’s first-ever Capital Construction Project Birthing on Country Community Hub, where culture leads, not institutions. Waminda’s unique model of care, healing framework, and thriving social enterprise, the Blak Cede Gunyah Café, continue to surpass expectations, expanding rapidly within just three months of operation.

With a growing staff of over 170 dedicated individuals, Waminda continues to serve as a pillar of health, well-being, and inspiration to the community—proof that it is not just surviving, but thriving.

Tickets for the Waminda National Conference are available for purchase on the Waminda website. See full information: https://waminda.org.au/40

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a historic event that honours the strength and leadership of Aboriginal women.