Common Threads is a project of Passing the Message Stick, led by a steering committee of Dr Jackie Huggins AM, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts and Millie Telford. Common Threads is delivered through a partnership between GetUp! and Australian Progress.
Our CEO Belinda Duarte, General Manager (Programs) Thara Brown, Programs Officer Madeline Wells and Fullaship Program alumni Donny Imberlong, Leyla Quartermaine and Anna-Rita Fauid all attended the three-day summit designed for, and by, First Nations people – to connect, yarn, share, learn, strategise and plan for action. Over 150 First Nations campaigners, community organisers, communicators and changemakers from all corners of Australia came together.
Opening Remarks: A Call for Unity and Action
Dr. Jackie Huggins AM, a respected Elder and co-chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, delivered the opening remarks, encapsulating the summit’s essence and purpose. Reflecting on her extensive career in advocacy and justice, Dr. Huggins shared her journey and the transformative work accomplished alongside Larissa Baldwin-Roberts and Millie Telford (co-founders of Common Threads).
“What drives me in all of this is the dream to see our people live good lives and prosper. To have the same opportunities as white fellas do, the same privileges and, of course, to be recognised for our deep stories, history, and culture in this place we all call home. That’s my dream for it.”
She emphasised the importance of intergenerational collaboration, urging the younger generation to step up and shine:
“It’s time to bring you all in now. Your time to step up and shine. As I know many of you will. You will be shining, you’ll be that shining light. You have thousands of years of legacy to carry on from the ancestors, from your parents and your grandparents and anyone else who has cared for you in your journey of doing justice for our people. It really is no accident that you all have been put here today.”
Dr. Huggins concluded with a poignant reminder:
“The youth may walk fast, but it’s the Elders who know the road.”
A Space for Connection and Growth
The summit featured a diverse array of activities, including a Welcome to Country, insightful panels and guest speakers such as Murrawah Johnson, Dr. Mary Graham, Ngarra Murray, Gadrian Hoosan, Joseph Sikulu, Rachel Hocking, Katie Kiss, and Meriki Onus. Attendees also participated in hands-on activities like weaving, fostering a sense of wellbeing and community.
Key goals of Common Threads included:
- Strengthening First Nations’ advocacy capacity
- Building shared skills and understanding to grow the power of movements
- Creating space to strategize, form or build campaign collaborations, and plan for action beyond the summit
- Building relationships and strengthening networks
- Creating a shared sense of possibility and ambition
The summit also laid out a bold 10-year vision encompassing healing and thriving, sovereignty and self-determination, land back initiatives, abolition of police and prisons, black power, black liberation, and nurturing the next generation.
Reflections from Culture is Life
Culture is Life representatives reflected on the meaning of advocacy within our organisation and its significance to the alumni in attendance from various communities. Anna-Rita Fauid and Donny Imberlong shared their experiences and ongoing efforts to protect and care for Country, highlighting the diversity of perspectives on advocacy and activism at the summit.
Overall, the Common Threads Summit provided a valuable platform for First Nations people to unite, share knowledge, and plan for a future grounded in justice, equity and cultural pride.
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We’re still recovering from the heat wave ☀️💺 but absolutely buzzing after our week on Larrakia Country.
So many thought-provoking convos, deep learnings, and moments that’ll stay with us for a long time.
Huge shoutout to the 2025 Fellows for showing up with heart, courage and curiosity, and to everyone we connected with along the way.
Community, culture and Country… that’s the real magic. ✨
#Fullaship #CultureIsLife #larrakiacountry
The 2025 Fellows just wrapped an incredible week in Garramilla on Larrakia Country, a week of reflection, storytelling, healing and deep connection with community and Country.
From Uncle Dr Richard Fejo’s Saltwater Ceremony, to SEWB learnings with Mark Nannup, values grounding with Aunty Steff, storytelling with Gen Grieves, visits to Children’s Ground and Minramana Community, and a beautiful bush medicine workshop with Aunty Cheryl, every day was packed with culture, growth and purpose.
We closed with a powerful circle led by Dr Carmen Cubillo and heartfelt ‘Who You?’ presentations that brought the cohort even closer.
Huge love to all our First Nations hosts and facilitators for welcoming us so generously.
❤️🤎🖤
Join award-winning filmmaker Rachel Perkins and esteemed historian Henry Reynolds at the launch of The Australian Wars book tomorrow night. After sold out launch events in Sydney and Melbourne, the conversation now heads to The Australian War Memorial on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra.
Rachel has long called for First Nations people who died in Frontier Wars conflicts – as well as colonists who were killed – to be officially recognised by this institution ❤️🖤🤎
Co-edited with Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray, and Henry Reynolds, this ground breaking book was conceived by Rachel Perkins following her award-winning documentary series of the same name, produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. 🎥✨
Image credit: Dylan River
@rachelperkinsau @allenandunwin @stephen.gapps @_mina.murray
📚 Launching The Australian Wars Book!
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in creating The Australian Wars book, being launched around the country this week!
Co-edited with Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray, and Henry Reynolds, the book was conceived by the incredible Rachel Perkins following her award-winning documentary series produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. 🎥✨
The book builds on the meticulous research conducted for the documentary series, and covers Frontier Wars battles across all the states and territories. It’s a hugely valuable resource for history teachers, and essential reading for all Australians to progress truth-telling in this country. ❤️🖤🤎
Look out for launch events happening in:
Gadigal Country (Sydney)
Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Country (Melbourne)
Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) ... and hopefully more to come!
🔍Look it up! Don’t miss this important work.
@rachelperkinsau @allenandunwin @stephen.gapps @_mina.murray Henry Reynolds
Don’t miss this! Tomorrow night in Naarm!
We’re so proud that our Education Consultant and Fullaship Elder, Aunty Stephanie Armstrong OAM, will be in conversation with Mervyn Bishop and Tim Dobbyn to launch the illustrated biography; Black, White + Colour!
Mervyn Bishop took one of the most significant photos in Australian history: Gough Whitlam pouring a handfull of sand into the hands of Vincent Lingiari. As Australia’s first Aboriginal press photographer, his story is a must-hear.
Still a few tickets left - book via trybooking!
Avenue Bookstore, Elsternwick. It’s FREE!
Leyla is a proud Noongar woman who works to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Victoria. From advocating for strength-based mentoring programs to representing young mob in key policy forums, her work is deeply rooted in community and cultural strength.
She is a graduate of the 2022 Fullaship Program, a three-time Melbourne Fashion Week model, and has represented Australia at the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference. Having overcome immense adversity, Leyla is committed to breaking cycles and creating spaces for young people to see their worth, pursue their dreams, and step into opportunities that were never designed for them. Above all, she carries forward the values of love, care, and integrity instilled in her by her Nan, whose legacy she continues to honor in all that she does.
📣The school year is flying, but there’s still time to bring our 2025 NAIDOC Education Resources into your classroom!
Here’s a peak at some engaging activities for Early Learning to Year 10, aligned with this year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.’ Designed to be used all year round!
❤️💛🖤
Download Now: Find the official resources (developed by Culture is Life, National NAIDOC Committee, and ABC Education) on our website.
Share Your Voice: Used them already? We want to hear your experience! Complete our quick feedback survey.
🔗 Links in bio!
Professional development webinars for teaching The Australian Wars are now live on our YouTube channel! 📺
Access some of our best discussions anytime and share these essential resources with your colleagues ✨
Deepen your understanding and boost your confidence with Rachel Perkins and our team of Aboriginal educators! 🫶🏽
🔗 Link in bio!
