Murdoch University's School of Indigenous Knowledges has welcomed five Noongar leaders as Honorary Fellows for their role in forging a path forward for Indigenous communities.
The five esteemed leaders are Angela Ryder, Anthony Hansen, Olman Walley, Ingrid Cumming, and Alison Scott, with the appointments formalising their already existing relationships with the university, having previously contributed to strategy, teaching, learning and research activities.
Dean of the School of Indigenous Knowledges, Associate Professor Jenna Woods, said they were thrilled to announce the launch of our Honorary Fellows program.
"These appointments honour the profound and ongoing contributions that each have made to our communities, recognising the strength of Indigenous Knowledges beyond traditional academic settings," she said.
"We see these appointments as an expression of our appreciation for our leaders.
"We honour our birdiyas past, present, and future, for their strength, resilience, and care in leading our communities. As knowledge holders, our birdiyas work tirelessly towards a brighter future for our communities."
Aunty Angela Ryder is a Wilman Noongar woman who co-founded the Langford Aboriginal Association and former Senior Manager of Aboriginal Services with Relationships Australia.
She was the 2013 Perth NAIDOC Community Person of the Year and one of the inaugural 100 women inducted into the Western Australian Women's Hall of Fame.
Uncle Anthony Hansen is a Noongar man and Stolen Generation survivor, who has worked in Government for 28 years, with positions in the WA Police Force and Department of Children Protection.
He has also been on several Indigenous boards and committees, including co-chair of the Bringing Them Home Committee WA, deputy chair of the Western Australian Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation, and a committee member of The Department of Premier and Cabinet Aboriginal Advisory Council of Western Australia.
In a statement on social media, Mr Hansen said: "It's a privilege to be recognises (sic) for the inaugural Honorary Fellowship Program by The School of Indigenous Knowledges at Murdoch University."
"A real honour with my sisters, and brother, to be recognises (sic) Noongar Leaders," he said.
A Whadjuk Ballardong Noongar woman from Fremantle, Aunty Ingrid Cumming has more than 15 years experience across the government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
She is recognised as a young leader in the First Nations community, having been given the name Ngoorlak (name for the Carnarby Cockatoo - the bringer of rains, healing, and change) by her Elders.
Ms Cumming said: "Beyond words of thanks and to be honoured alongside my brother, sister, uncle and aunty."
Ballardong, Binjareb, Wadjuk Noongar man Olman Walley has spent more than 20 years sharing the stories, history, music, dance, and knowledge of his ancient culture, and has spread Noongar culture around the world through his business, Boorloo Experiences.
Alison Scott is a Noongar woman and strong advocate for victims of family and domestic violence, as well as Aboriginal empowerment.
She regularly speaks publicly about her own personal and professional experiences to help educate the community and advocate for change, and is working on projects across Australia evaluating State and Federal government programs targeting First Nations people.
The University said the appointments are a "reciprocal acknowledgment" of the contributions each of the five Noongar community leaders have made, and continue to make, in enabling the culturally-appropriate work of both the School of Indigenous Knowledges, and Murdoch University as a whole.
Pro Vice Chancellor First Nations, Chanelle van den Berg, said, "The School of Indigenous Knowledges exists at the intersection of academia and our Indigenous community."
"So, the recognition of their leadership within and outside the University demonstrates our commitment to showcasing Indigenous excellence and reinforcing a positive, strengths-based perspective across academic and cultural environments," she said.
