KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Professor Dr Anne Pattel- Gray

Academic Director of the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Studies
Unit at the University of Queensland

Professor Dr. Anne Pattel-Gray, Head of the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity in Melbourne, is an esteemed academic, theologian, activist, and writer, particularly recognized for her work in Aboriginal Religion and Spirituality. A descendant of the Bidjara Nation in Queensland, she has made significant contributions to Indigenous leadership and scholarship in Australia and globally, holding a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney and a Doctor of Divinity from India.
Previously, Professor Pattel-Gray served as Executive Secretary and established the Aboriginal and Islander Commission with the Australian Council of Churches/National Council of Churches from 1989-1998. Her leadership extended to organizing Indigenous participation in the 1991 World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly in Canberra, where she initiated the Indigenous Desk at WCC. She has a longstanding history of Indigenous advocacy, including organizing the 1988 "March for Justice, Freedom, and Hope," which drew over 50,000 protestors.
An expert in decolonizing biblical narratives, Professor Pattel-Gray is committed to reinterpreting biblical stories through an Indigenous lens. Her work offers profound insights into Indigenous theology, cultural knowledge, and the impact of colonization, particularly from the perspective of Blak women.
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Damien Price, an Edmund Rice Christian Brother based in Brisbane, focuses on storytelling as a powerful means to foster community and empathy. Through his initiative, Encounter the Heart, he provides professional development, retreats, and resources aimed at helping individuals connect deeply with themselves and others. Damien's work encourages people to reflect on their shared humanity and spirituality, drawing on his extensive experience in service learning and Indigenous inclusion.

Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.

Brother Damien Price

Professional Supervision and Facilitator

Associate Professor James Kirby

Clinical Psychologist and
Co-Director of the Compassionate
Mind Research Group

Associate Professor James Kirby is a psychologist, researcher, and advocate for compassion-based therapies. At the forefront of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) in Australia, he explores how cultivating compassion can help individuals manage their mental health and lead more resilient, fulfilling lives. Kirby also co-authors widely-read books and contributes actively to academic research, highlighting the practical applications of compassion science.
Through speaking engagements and media contributions, Kirby shares insights on integrating compassion into clinical and personal settings, supporting the growth of a compassionate, understanding community.
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Dr Simon Breakspear is a researcher, advisor and speaker on educational leadership, policy and change. Simon develops frameworks and tools that make evidence-based ideas actionable and easy to understand. Over the last decade his capability building work has given him the opportunity to work with over 100,000 educators across more than 10 countries.

Simon is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at UNSW. He serves as an advisor to the NSW Department of Education and sits on an expert steering committee for the Australia Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). Simon received his BPsych (Hons) from UNSW, his MSc in Comparative and International Education from the University of Oxford and his PhD in Education from the University of Cambridge. Simon began his work in education as a high school teacher.

Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.