It’s Time For Change campaign asks all Australians to have a think about how young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their families and friends feel about the nation celebrating Australia Day on January 26.
It’s time for change:
- To consider the facts
- To remember and understand our history
- To think about the impact it has on our young people and their families
- To connect and care for all Australians
- To unite and celebrate our shared cultural lineage
“A country’s National Day exists in name only if it doesn’t include, respect and care for all its people. If it can’t honour these fundamental decencies to all citizens, it needs urgent review.” Belinda Duarte Wotjobaluk woman and CEO at Culture is Life
Culture is Life released Something On My Mind single and music video in January 2018 as part of IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE – a campaign that asks all Australians to have a think about how young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their families and friends feel about the nation celebrating Australia Day on January 26.
Written by Nhunggabarra, Kooma, Muruwari singer-songwriter and international touring artist Glenn Skuthorpe in collaboration with Wemba Wemba, Mutti Mutti and Yorta Yorta woman Jedda Costa and Djugun man Louis Mokak and accompanied by Wergaia singer-songwriter Alice Skye, the song was produced by Katie Symes, engineered by Colin Wynne at Thirty Mills Studios and the music video was filmed at Aviary Studios in Collingwood by James Arneman of Sunlander Films.
The release of Something On My Mind has received high acclaim and significant radio play to include reaching number one on Canada’s Indigenous Music Countdown and has been performed live at a number of high profile events to include Balit Narrun Festival in Treasury Gardens Melbourne VIC, at the 2nd National and World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference in Perth WA and at the 1st World Indigenous Music Conference at Folk Alliance International Montreal QC.
Something On My Mind also features in Thunderbox Films ‘Island Home’, an Australian short film encapsulating the pristine, natural beauty of our coastline, and featuring the activists who have been fighting the fossil fuel industry’s threat to our island-nation’s coastline.
Strategically timed for release four days prior to the 2019 Australian federal election, the story adds punch to the already powerful momentum of the Fight for the Bight, Stop Adani and Climate movements
that right now, are at the centre of our nation’s focus and critical to our shared futures on this planet.
@thunderboxfilmhouse @cultureislife @glennskuthorpemusic #somethingonmymind
Download bios for Something On My Mind
“I want to feel like I can celebrate Australia and the wonderful country I’m from, but I can’t when I’m excluded from that day that marks the beginning of a history of trauma.” Lalatuai Grogan, Kuku Yalanji and Tolai
#itstimeforchange #cultureislife
“I think we just need to take one step at a time, we need to stop, slow down for a bit and lead with our values, with our hearts at best interest. I think that’s the way forward.” Will Austin, Keerray Wurrung and Peek Wurrung
#itstimeforchange #cultureislife
What’s the impact of Australia Day on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and their families?
#itstimeforchange #cultureislife
What would it feel like for a young Aboriginal person if the past was truly acknowledged and they were included in Australia’s national celebrations?
‘I want to be included but I’m also remembering my families and what they’ve been through and experienced. It was never a day we felt like we could celebrate.’ Kodi Galleghan, Malak-Malak, Nhunggabarra, Kooma, Muruwari woman
‘I used to love the celebrations we had on Australia Day but it’s kind of upsetting to think that I can’t have that and invite Kodi along.’ Kevin Fernandez
#itstimeforchange #cultureislife
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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!
Bek is a proud Wakaya woman, born and raised on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong. In recent years, she has lived and worked across Darwin, Brisbane, and now the Gold Coast.
At the heart of Bek’s work is a deep commitment to using her voice to empower others—especially young people—to embrace their power, identity, and creativity through the mediums that speak to them.
Fullaship Expressions of Interest Now Open!
👉🏽Link in bio
