Kumai Karulbo Indigenous Gala

‘Reconciliation in action’ as Kumai Karulbo Indigenous Gala roars back

Bond community members gathered in the hundreds to celebrate one of the University’s most popular events as the Kumai Karulbo Indigenous Gala made its post-Covid comeback.

After a three-year hiatus, the Bond University main hall buzzed with excitement at the event to raise funds for Indigenous scholarships.

Vice Chancellor and President Tim Brailsford revealed 133 recipients of Indigenous scholarships had graduated and gone on to make an impact in their chosen fields thanks to the generosity of donors from the Bond community.

“There are now 133 role models out there, role models for their siblings, for their friends and their community who can demonstrate that it is possible to attain higher education and to succeed in higher education,’’ Professor Brailsford says.

Guest speaker Dr Mark Wenitong hailed the event as ‘reconciliation in action’.

The trailblazer in First Nations clinical medicine and policy, who was awarded the 2020 Australian Public Health Association’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Public Health Award, Dr Wenitong has been at the forefront of Indigenous health for over 20 years. He has held board positions at a host of national advisory bodies and is a previous recipient of the Australian Medical Association’s President’s Award for Excellence and the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council Hall of Fame Award.

“It is massive, this is reconciliation in action,” says Dr Wenitong. “This is where our students actually get supported by the wider Australian community in a really nice way, in a genuine way. And you can feel that in the room. It is genuine, it is the right way to do things and is a true spirit of reconciliation.’’

It is massive, this is reconciliation in action.

Top: The Kumai Karulbo Indigenous Gala gets underway.

Left: Margaret Douglas Indigenous Medical Scholarship recipient Sara Fagan (L) joins Margaret Douglas on stage.

Aviation expert joins University Council

Marion Charlton, Chief Operating Officer at Queensland Airports Limited (QAL), has joined the Bond University Council.

Ms Charlton has more than 30 years of experience in the aviation industry and is currently overseeing the transformational Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion and managing the day-to-day operations of QAL Group airports.

Council oversees the operational performance and sets the strategic direction of the University. It is accountable for ensuring the University is managed prudently, efficiently and in compliance with all relevant regulations.

Alumni David Baxby (Class of 1992), Derek Cronin (Class of 1989), Lisa MacCallum and Kate

Vidgen (both Class of 1991) are among

Council’s members.

Above: Marion Charlton.

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