JCU Events

Join our panel of experts as they discuss the upcoming referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Panel Members

Professor Megan Davis, Pro Vice Chancellor Society at University of New South Wales

• Professor Dr Megan Davis grew up in Eagleby and Hervey Bay and is a Cobble Cobble woman of the Barunggam Nation. Along with her role as Pro Vice Chancellor Society, Professor Davis is also the Balnaves Chair of Constitutional Law, a Professor of Law and Director of the Indigenous Law Centre UNSW Law. She is a renowned constitutional lawyer and public law expert, focusing on the human rights of First Nations peoples. She has been a leading lawyer on constitutional reform for the recognition of First Nations rights for two decades and has led the Uluru Statement from the Heart work for the past five years.

Associate Professor Sana Nakata, Principal Research Fellow at JCU’s Indigenous Education and Research Centre and co-director of the Indigenous-Settler Relations Collaboration.

• Associate Professor Sana Nakata is Principal Research Fellow at the Indigenous Education and Research Centre. She is trained in the law and political theory of the Western tradition, and her research focuses upon the politics of childhood, Indigenous policy and governance. She has held multiple Australian Research Council grants, written and edited books and articles, including Childhood Citizenship, Governance and Policy (Routledge, 2015). She also provides public analysis on current political issues for outlets such as The Conversation, the Indigenous Constitutional Law Blog, and for ABC radio.

Cr Ross Andrews, Mayor of Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council

• Cr Andrews is a proud Djungan and Yalanji man of Far North Queensland. Currently serving his second term as Mayor of Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council, Cr Andrews manages portfolios across all areas of the Indigenous local government area. Mayor Andrews is a respected advocate of Indigenous leadership and self-determination and he is respectful of tradition and culture, Cr Andrews is acknowledged as a progressive leader who supports and encourages innovation, inclusion and participation amongst First Nations peoples.

Ben Gertz, panel facilitator

• Mr Gertz a descendant of the Gugu-Badhun and Ngadjon-ji people of North Queensland, and the Meriam people of the Eastern Torres Strait. He is a public policy professional with experience working in public sector and non-government sector organisations. He formerly worked as the Queensland Field Leader for the RECOGNISE campaign, as a Policy and Communications Coordinator for the Myuma Group, and he currently works as a Senior Associate, Indigenous Outcomes for the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. Mr Gertz is a born and bred Townsvillian, and a former student of JCU who is passionate about issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Northern Australia.

JCU staff, students and community members are welcome to join in the discussion at JCU’s Bebegu Yumba Campus in Townsville, on the lawns in front of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library from 11am on Friday, 2 June 2023.

Register for this event here.