Voice and choice for self-determination

Decolonisation is an emotive issue, still being understood and explored by many in the philanthropic sector.

The process of unravelling past wrongs and knowing how to contribute through our practice in philanthropy is complex, and can often be stuck in the political debate.

The interdependence of our society is now inescapable but those at the top can be blind to the solutions that work for everyone. We need to seek these solutions from our First Nations leaders and communities and use money to facilitate relationships, close the divide and remove barriers to full participation as our First nations people lead their own advancement.

Whilst not always comfortable, philanthropy needs to consider where its money has come from, where it is held, invested, and managed and how it is allocated and spent. In this webinar we will examine how philanthropy is and can respond to the call for self-determination and the tensions that exist within the system.

Moderator

Genevieve Timmons - Partnerships Manager, Paul Ramsay Foundation

Genevieve Timmons is a Philanthropic Executive with more than three decades of wide and deep experience in the field of grantmaking and philanthropic investment, with particular focus on addressing social equity and removing barriers to full participation in society. In addition to several board appointments, she is currently working with the Paul Ramsay Foundation and the Naomi Milgrom Foundation.

In an extensive career over more than three decades, Genevieve has pioneered approaches to contemporary philanthropy in Australia and New Zealand, working with over 50 different grantmakers to secure optimal positioning and best impact for contemporary philanthropic practice.

Her focus has been to stay ahead of the rapid expansion of philanthropic giving by monitoring emerging trends and challenges for contemporary philanthropy and exchanging with global and local networks.  Specialist skills are in strategic planning and policy analysis, leading innovation in establishment of giving programs, and delivering professional development for staff, boards and individuals.

Presenters

Rick Macourt - Director, Strategic and Aboriginal Outcomes, NSW Treasury

Rick Macourt is a young, queer Gumbaynggirr man from Newee Creek and the Director for Strategic and Aboriginal Outcomes at NSW Treasury. Rick was previously Westpac's Senior Manager, Indigenous Engagement and a diplomat, having served at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, and the Australian Government’s only Indigenous representative to the UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. A graduate of Colombia University’s Indigenous Summer Studies Program, Bond University and the Australian National University, Rick advocates equality and self-determination for First Nations around the world. Rick is a published author with Oxford University Press, continues to write on Indigenous affairs and sits on the boards of Black Rainbow and the Indigenous Advisory bodies of Philanthropy Australia and Oxfam Australia.

Warren Miller - Strategic Partnerships Executive, Yadu Health

Warren Miller is a Wirangu and Kokatha man from Ceduna. He currently works for Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation as the Executive Strategic Partnerships Manager. He has a Masters and a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health (Substance Use) from the University of Sydney.

Warren has had a wide spanning career, utilising his extensive health experience across the Government, Not for Profit and Aboriginal Community Controlled sectors. He is passionate about remote and regional health and has a vast knowledge of the various Aboriginal language groups surrounding the western desert areas.

As part of this current role with Yadu Health, Warren is driving the design of a philanthropic health funding model that is designed, developed, implemented and constantly informed by the Aboriginal community of South Australia.

Niall Fay - CEO, Fay Fuller Foundation

As the Fay Fuller Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Niall’s job is to steer the Foundation, ensuring that actions align with purpose.  Best described as having a non-linear background, Niall brings a little something new to philanthropy, having worked across government, business, and university sectors in a mind-boggling array of roles and focus areas.  He’s passionate about bringing together exceptional people and organisations to solve complex problems and believes that modern challenges are best addressed cooperatively but ultimately led by the voice of community.

Keen to make big changes and unafraid to be first through the wall, Niall’s goal is to drive change around impact-driven, purposeful, and people centred philanthropic funding.  Niall is especially skilled at meeting people where they are and bringing them along on the journey.  He’s a deep thinker and draws the connections others may overlook.

Niall spends as much of his downtime as possible with his family while keeping an eye out for sadly neglected cacti to rescue and performing seemingly endless renovations.

James Ensor - Chief Executive Officer, BHP Foundation

James Ensor joined BHP in 2014 as Group Social Policy Manager and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the BHP Foundation in January 2016. James was previously Policy & International Program Director of international development agency Oxfam between 2001 and 2012. Prior to joining Oxfam, James represented the interests of the Aboriginal traditional owners of Australia’s Northern Territory in relation to land claims, community and enterprise development, and exploration and mining activity on their lands. James has qualifications in Economics, Science and Journalism and is a current Board member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

This webinar is part of Philanthropy Australia's six-part 2021 Webinar Series and is open to PA members and general admission.