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This week on @IndigenousX: five questions to Mary Guthrie This week on @IndigenousX: five questions to Mary Guthrie
(6 months later)
Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.
Tell us about yourselfTell us about yourself
I belong to the Wiradjuri people of central I belong to the Wiradjuri people of central western New South Wales, on my mother’s side of the family. I’ve worked in Aboriginal affairs for about 25 years, and in Aboriginal health for more than 10. I completed university study as a mature aged student at Australian National University, Canberra, which was very empowering. In recent years I’ve worked in Aboriginal health policy, including the Australian Department of Health, the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association and Indigenous Allied Health Australia.
western New South Wales, on my mother’s side of the family. I’ve worked in Aboriginal affairs for about I’m now living in Melbourne, working as the general manager, policy and communications, at the Lowitja Institute. The Lowitja Institute is the only research organisation in Australia with a sole focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
25 years, and in Aboriginal health for more than 10. I completed university study as a mature What do you plan on talking about on IndigenousX this week?
aged student at Australian National University, Canberra, which was very The Lowitja Institute has a huge week coming up next week – 17 to 20 March in Melbourne. We’re conducting a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Conference 17-18 March, then our biennial conference, Congress Lowitja 2014, on 19 – 20 March. In addition, there will be a public event – a comedy evening – Is Racism the New Black? on the evening of Thursday 20 March.
empowering. In recent years I’ve worked What issue(s) affecting Indigenous peoples are you most passionate about?
in Aboriginal health policy, including the Australian Department of Health, the I’m particularly passionate about mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. I worked in this sector for many years, and see matters such as identity, knowing who you are, self-esteem and dignity as very important, and linked very closely to our health and wellbeing. There is an Aboriginal understanding of health which extends further than physical health. It encompasses spirituality, connection to land, connection to family and culture and kin. I think these issues are extremely important.
Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association and Indigenous Allied Health Who are your role models, and why?
Australia. I learned grace and dignity from my mother. She sacrificed a great deal to ensure that her children were educated, cared for, nurtured and loved. She and my non-Aboriginal father moulded us kids into the people that we are, and did a pretty good job. My younger sister also inspired me enormously – without even knowing - to do things in my life, especially to take on study. I’ve also been inspired by two great Australians, activist Charles Perkins and public servant Lowitja O’Donoghue, for their courage and determination to make this country a better place.
I’m now living in Melbourne, working as the general manager, policy and communications, at the Lowitja Institute. The Lowitja Institute is the only research What are your hopes for the future?
organisation in Australia with a sole focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait My hope is that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equal chance to enjoy what Australia has to offer. I look forward to an Australia where all of its citizens have equal access to education, health and employment opportunities.
Islander health.
What
do you plan on talking about on IndigenousX this week?
The Lowitja Institute has a huge week
coming up next week – 17 to 20 March in Melbourne. We’re conducting a Continuous Quality
Improvement (CQI) Conference 17-18 March, then our biennial conference,
Congress Lowitja 2014, on 19 – 20 March.
In addition, there will be a public event – a comedy evening – Is Racism
the New Black? on the evening of Thursday 20 March.
What
issue(s) affecting Indigenous peoples are you most passionate about?
I’m particularly passionate about mental
health and social and emotional wellbeing.
I worked in this sector for many years, and see matters such as
identity, knowing who you are, self-esteem and dignity as very important, and
linked very closely to our health and wellbeing. There is an Aboriginal understanding of health
which extends further than physical health.
It encompasses spirituality, connection to land, connection to family
and culture and kin. I think these
issues are extremely important.
Who
are your role models, and why?
I learned grace and dignity from my
mother. She sacrificed a great deal to
ensure that her children were educated, cared for, nurtured and loved. She and my non-Aboriginal father moulded
us kids into the people that we are, and did a pretty good job. My younger sister also inspired me enormously
– without even knowing - to do things in my life, especially to take on
study. I’ve also been inspired by two great
Australians, activist Charles Perkins and public servant Lowitja
O’Donoghue, for their courage and
determination to make this country a better place.
What
are your hopes for the future?
My hope is that all Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people have equal chance to enjoy what Australia has to
offer. I look forward to an Australia where all of
its citizens have equal access to education, health and employment
opportunities.