2026 AISWA First Nations Education Conference

Stan Grant is a prominent Australian journalist, author, and academic, widely recognised for his work in promoting Indigenous rights and social justice. A proud Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Dharawal man, Grant has spent decades in media, both in Australia and internationally, with roles at major networks. 

He is Director of Yindyamarra Nguluway at Charles Sturt University, leading national conversations. He is author of eight critically acclaimed books and has received numerous awards for his contributions to journalism and public discourse. His powerful storytelling and articulate advocacy have positioned him as one of the country’s most influential voices on race, identity, and reconciliation.

Tammy Baart is a proud Dharug woman of the Boorooberongal clan, an award-winning educational leader, and the Founder of Blak Ignited — a purpose-driven consultancy igniting human potential through honouring culture, reclaiming identity, and transforming systems. With over two decades of executive experience across educational, corporate, and community sectors, Tammy brings a fierce commitment to disrupting inequity and reimagining how we lead, learn, and live.

Tammy is internationally recognised for her leadership in Cultural Intelligence, Indigenous governance, and allyship, blending Western knowledge with Indigenous wisdom to create spaces of psychological safety, cultural truth-telling, and relational accountability. She has co-designed Indigenous Leadership programs in various industries across Australia and Canada, supported hundreds of school leaders to embed truth and culture in curriculum and strategy, and continues to shape national conversations around reconciliation, identity, and inclusion.

Professor Braden Hill is a Noongar (Wardandi) man from the south-west of Western Australia and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Edith Cowan University, where he leads a portfolio spanning teaching and learning, student experience, access and equity, student success, and graduate outcomes. A trained secondary teacher, Professor Hill brings both professional expertise and personal insight to conversations about educational access, pathways and opportunity. Having entered university through a non-ATAR pathway, he is a strong advocate for broadening participation and ensuring higher education remains accessible through diverse entry pathways.
Professor Hill is nationally recognised for his leadership in Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ research, and for his work advancing equity, inclusion and student success across higher education.

Mechelle Turvey is a respected Noongar Yamatji community advocate whose son, Cassius Turvey, died following an assault in 2022. Since then, she has spoken nationally about compassion, non-violence and support for victims of crime. Mechelle also works with Western Australia Police Force recruits, drawing on lived experience to promote empathy, care and understanding in responses to victims and their families.

Ms Hunter is a Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman, qualified social worker and respected leader in First Nations child and family services. With more than 20 years’ experience in casework, policy, governance and advocacy, she has shaped transformative, rights-based approaches to child protection and community healing. As National Commissioner, she will work with First Nations children, young people, families and communities to protect their rights, interests and wellbeing.