1
You joined AFSE a year ago from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; how have you found the transition into the higher education sector? Any surprises?
The transition has been fascinating. In many ways, a university feels very similar to government - both are large, complex institutions where you need to work across the system to get results. What I’ve really enjoyed, though, is the freedom that comes with being in an academic environment. There’s space to think, to debate, and to explore solutions to some of the big, complex problems that mirror the issues I dealt with in government - things like inclusion, national security, economic development, and Indigenous affairs.
One surprise for me has been learning more about the way academic and professional staff work together. Both groups play equally critical roles in making a university function and deliver impact, and I’ve come to really appreciate that. At AFSE, we try to model the same approach, bringing together academic expertise with professional leadership to achieve meaningful outcomes.
2
AFSE is a unique program. Can you share with us some of its successes and impact. Beyond individual fellows' projects, how does AFSE seek to create systemic change?
We’re incredibly fortunate to be supported by Chuck Feeney’s philanthropy, which allows us to do something quite unique; back people rather than programs or buildings. At AFSE, we support Indigenous and Pacific leaders by giving them the time and space to step back from their busy lives, reflect, learn, and then return to their communities with renewed energy and ideas. The results have been inspiring - fellows are leading change on issues like climate, governance, and cultural revitalisation. A good example is Karl Hampton, who has worked on repatriating sacred objects to his community, sparking important conversations about governance and identity, and who now chairs AIATSIS in Canberra.
But beyond the individual stories, what we’re really about is creating systemic change. When Fellows return to their communities, they carry with them the tools, confidence, and networks to influence on a much larger scale. That ripple effect is what makes AFSE powerful - it’s not just about one project but about shaping leadership and building capacity across whole communities.
3
How do you envisage the fellowship evolving over the next decade?
Looking ahead, I see AFSE as a program that will continue to weave stronger connections between Indigenous and Pacific leaders in ways that have not been done before. By our 10-year anniversary in 2027, I hope one of our greatest legacies will be the networks we have built - relationships that connect First Peoples across Oceania in meaningful and lasting ways.
This weaving of connections is deeply important. Too often, those ties have not been recognised or nurtured, but we are changing that. By strengthening those relationships, we are laying the foundation for collaboration across borders and communities. That, to me, is one of the most powerful contributions AFSE can make.
4
In the context of being a former diplomat and Australia’s first Indigenous ambassador, how has your Indigenous heritage shaped your world view and career?
When I joined DFAT in the mid-1990s as a 19-year-old Aboriginal cadet, I was very aware of being one of only a handful of Indigenous staff in the department. Over the years, I have witnessed enormous change - today there are over one hundred Indigenous staff and a First Nations foreign policy, which is something unique in the world. Being part of that journey, and working alongside colleagues to help advance it, has been a real privilege.
My heritage has always shaped the way I approach my work. I’ve felt a responsibility to ensure that Indigenous voices and perspectives are visible in Australia’s diplomacy and foreign policy, and I have taken every opportunity to build connections with Indigenous peoples in our region and beyond. Looking back, I am proud of the role I played in helping to make our foreign policy better reflect the diversity of Australia and my own cultural heritage.
5
Can you share with us your own future development plans?
I am now preparing to start a PhD, focusing on Indigenous human rights. It is an area that has mattered to me since my days as a law student, and throughout my career I have worked on human rights issues at different points. Doing this doctorate will give me the chance to dig deeper, to create new knowledge, and, most importantly, to give something back to our communities.
This step also fits with AFSE’s ethos - we encourage our Fellows to pursue further study as a way of strengthening their leadership and impact. For me, it is both a personal journey and a way to model that ongoing commitment to learning. At its heart, the PhD is about purpose, ensuring that the work I do contributes meaningfully to Indigenous rights and leadership in our region.
