The 2026 Westerman Jilya Institute Indigenous Child Suicide Prevention Fundraising Gala

Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration for our 2026 Westerman Jilya Institute Indigenous Child Suicide Prevention Fundraising Gala — being held in Sydney for the first time.

This event is dedicated to funding the Indigenous Psychology Treatment Arm of Jilya, a vital initiative offering life-changing support to Aboriginal communities that currently exists without operational funding.

Mental wellbeing should not be solely for the privileged. The Treatment Arm will ensure that Indigenous people in critical mental health need can access an Indigenous psychologist free of charge. With our students now graduating at significant rates, every dollar raised will directly fund access to our graduated Indigenous psychology students.

Background 

This inspiring fundraiser commenced in 2021 with a marquee event in Perth, drawing national attention to the unacceptable rates of Indigenous child suicide — four times that of non-Indigenous children. The fundraiser was triggered by the 13 deaths by suicide of Indigenous young people in the Kimberley region, the subject of the Fogliani inquiry.

Compelled to act, Dr Tracy Westerman AM founded personally funded the Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program. This spoke to decades of inquiries which concluded that children and families continue to suffer due to 'system failure' — or more accurately, a lack of access to culturally competent services.

"Imagine having a child caught in the grip of mental illness and there are no services to help. Imagine when you do find a service, the cultural barriers between you are so great, that any opportunity for healing is effectively lost. Our children should not be dying from want in a world of great excess. Dr Tracy Westerman AM

Since then, the program has captured the hearts and minds of the country. Over 79 Indigenous people have been supported to become psychologists from our highest-risk communities — including the Kimberley, the Pilbara, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Cherbourg, Rockhampton, Mt Isa, Palm Island and many more — with more than 66% the first in their families to go to university. We are skills-building from the ground up to ensure access reaches our most vulnerable communities.

The Evening

The evening is truly about hope and optimism, with tables reserved for bereaved Indigenous families to attend as part of our “Pay it Forward” campaign (refer below). It will unite community leaders, supporters and change-makers to honour Jilya's recent graduates and announce the new scholarships for 2027.

🎶 HEADLINE Acoustic Performance by Peter Garrett & Martin Rotsey of Midnight Oil! You DO NOT want to miss this! Peter Garrett and guitarist Martin Rotsey are founding members of the legendary Australian rock band. Performing acoustically for this special evening, their music amplifies social justice, environmental activism and Indigenous rights — from their worldwide hit "Beds Are Burning" through to 2020's ARIA #1 The Makarrata Project, created with First Nations collaborators- this will be a performance NOT TO BE MISSED! 

🎤 Hosted by Narelda Jacobs OAM. Jilya Patron and MC for the evening. Narelda is one of the most well-known faces in Australian journalism and media — a proud Whadjuk Noongar journalist, presenter and commentator whose career at Network 10 spans more than two decades. Narelda presents the daily national news bulletins 10 News First: Lunchtime* and 10 News First: Afternoons. You'll also find her on NITV/SBS, the ABC, on podcast airwaves, and hosting events around the country and internationally.

✨ Keynote by Dr Tracy Westerman AM. Be captivated by Dr Westerman, Jilya Founder and Chair, and one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the country. An exemplary figure of Blak excellence, Dr Westerman will share insights from the development of Jilya, and her award-winning work in Indigenous psychology and mental health and reveal how it has all been achieved. Her trailblazing work in Indigenous mental health continues to inspire change.

🎓 Honouring our graduates. Hear from Jilya's shining stars as they share their powerful stories and the transformative impact of Jilya's support. Their journeys from students to psychologists and why we need an Indigenous Psychology Treatment Centre - driven by Indigenous psychologists for Indigenous people. WE will showcase the profound difference Jilya is making in shaping the future of Indigenous mental health.

📣 Announcing the 2027 Intake. We will announce the successful intake of the Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program, adding more incredible recipients to our list.

🍽️ Indulge in a 3-course gourmet meal. Savour a delicious 3-course meal paired with premium wines, beer and a selection of soft drinks and juices.