The Gaawaadhi Gadudha logo artwork is by Laurance Magick Dennis. It represents the meeting of fresh (Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay) and salt (Yuin-Djirringanj) water. The horseshoe-like shapes are people sitting around a fire. The oval image at the centre is a coolamon (traditional carrying vessel). The dots around the image are ancestors looking on.

While we use the word ‘Aboriginal’ to explain the terminology of ‘the health gap’ in current research and policy, we would like to acknowledge it as a colonised term. We advocate for shifting to the use of cultural group names as identifiers. Where this is not possible, we use ‘Indigenous’.

About Us

Image: Fresh and salt water meeting (photo by Ary Yashadhana)
Our vision

Our Gaawaadhi Gadudha vision is to see strong cultural health in mob, Country and culture. We see health as physical, emotional and spiritual. Cultural health is achieved by practising culture on Country.

Image: Collecting bush food at Dharriwaa, Narran Lakes (photo by Brooke Brady)

Our aim

Relationships with culture and Country have always shaped the physical, mental and spiritual health of Indigenous people. Yet, ongoing colonisation and racism continue to create inequitable health outcomes.

Growing evidence shows that culture is a protective factor for health. Our research aims to contribute to this work in New South Wales. We work on Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay (North-Western NSW) and Yuin-Djirringanj (Far South Coast NSW) Country.

How We Work

Image: Cultural knowledge holder Ted Fields at Dharriwaa, Narran Lakes (photo by Brooke Brady)

Cultural governance

The Gaawaadhi Gadudha Research Collaborative is a culturally governed initiative. Our governance recognises place-based Knowledge Holders as leaders in their nation and language groups. It also ensures cultural law and ways of governing underpin our research at every stage.

Cultural Knowledge Holders lead the Collaborative, making all major research decisions. Cultural Knowledge Holders are also Chief Investigators on our grants. Knowledge Holders are supported by other members of the research team, who contribute their academic expertise across a variety of disciplines.

Image: Dhinawan (emu) footprint at Dharriwaa, Narran Lakes (photo by Brooke Brady)

Meet our Gaawaadhi Gadudha Cultural Governance Group

Ted Fields

Ted is a Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay man born and raised in Walgett, NSW. Ted’s language and culture have been in his life from its earliest moments. Ted has worked to promote Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaraay languages and cultures for over 25 years. He has supported cultural heritage management for over 20 years. Ted has worked as an advisor with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Department of Land and Water Conservation, as well as on various native vegetation and water reform projects. Ted is an expert in bringing Aboriginal cultural values to policy reform. He has been an active member of Walgett Local Aboriginal Lands Council (WLALC) for 30 years and member of two other lands councils.

Ted has contributed to numerous research projects, including the Next Generation Aboriginal Youth and Wellbeing Study. Alongside his partner Michelle, Ted is the Director of Burruguu Limited, a non-for-profit organisation that supports individuals and communities through cultural connection. Ted was a Chief Investigator on our study exploring cultural camp impact on health and wellbeing (MRF2009522).

Ted is the Yuwaalaraay Cultural Knowledge Holder and Chief Investigator on all Gaawaadhi Gadudha projects. Ted leads our programs, directs how we interpret data and makes key decisions about the overall path of Gaawaadhi Gadudha.
www.burruguu.org

Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay

Michelle O’Leary

Michelle is a proud Gamilaraay wirringaa (woman) born and raised on Gamilaraay country in Tamworth, NSW. She is descended from the Natty and Red Chief clans. Her ties to her people run deep and she has begun her role a cultural leader in her family and community. For the past eight years, Michelle has worked alongside her partner Ted on cultural land and resource education and management. She is expert at hosting events that connect school groups, Elders, women and young people in the out-of-home care system with traditional culture. As a cultural knowledge holder on our project exploring the impact of camps on health and wellbeing (MRF2009522), Michelle collected complex data and guided its interpretation. She provides invaluable cultural and practical insight to all aspects of our work.

Michelle is the Gamilaraay Cultural Knowledge Holder and Chief Investigator on the Gaawaadhi Gadudha project trialling a cultural health program (MRF2025330). Michelle leads our programs, directs how we interpret data and makes key decisions about the overall path of Gaawaadhi Gadudha.
www.burruguu.org

Gamilaraay

Warren Foster

Warren is a respected Yuin-Djirringanj cultural knowledge holder, dancer, songman and artist born and raised on Djirringanj Country at Wallaga Lake, NSW, which is part of the Yuin Nation. He is lead Director at Tjuringal Limited, a Yuin owned and operated not-for-profit that supports healing through connection to culture on Djirringanj Country. He is also the Director of the annual Yuin Nation Birriga Bunaan, the largest Aboriginal cultural dance event in NSW. His parents were Aboriginal cultural leaders and activists. As one of few surviving Yuin-Djirringanj cultural knowledge and language holders, Warren holds responsibility to ensure culture is carried on by the next generation. In 1995, Warren established the Gulaga Dancers, a Yuin traditional dance group, to empower young Aboriginal men through cultural expression, identity and pride. The Gulaga Dancers perform nationally and internationally, including in Japan, Finland and New Zealand. Warren leads a Cultural Burning Program at Merrimans Local Aboriginal Lands Council. He has previously worked in various roles for NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, caring for important cultural heritage sites and delivering educational workshops on traditional foods and native animals.

Warren is the Yuin-Djirringanj Cultural Knowledge Holder and Chief Investigator on the Gaawaadhi Gadudha project trialling a cultural health program (MRF2025330). Warren leads our programs, directs how we interpret data and makes key decisions about the overall path of Gaawaadhi Gadudha.

www.tjuringal.org

Yuin

Meet our research team

Dr Aryati (Ary) Yashadhana
University of New South Wales

Ary is a Senior Research Associate at the School of Population Health. Ary’s research builds on strong connections to Aboriginal traditional cultural knowledge holders, who have shaped her in-depth understanding and respect for Aboriginal cultural governance and protocols. She is committed to collaborative, intercultural and translational research that centres tangible benefit at the grassroots. Ary’s more than 50 publications are complemented by an exceptional funding track record. She has secured more than $3.4 million as Principal Investigator to conduct research in Aboriginal health and health equity. Her research has been cited in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework and national clinical guidelines.

Ary is the Gaawaadhi Gadudha Principal Investigator.

Associate Professor Brett Biles
University of New South Wales

Brett is a Murrawarri man originally from Brewarrina. He has been living on Wiradjuri country for the last 20 years. Brett is the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and Research. Brett has contributed to Indigenous health and wellbeing for the last 15 years. Prior to this role, Brett was the inaugural Associate Dean Indigenous of the Faculty of Medicine.

Brett is the Gaawaadhi Gadudha Indigenous academic lead.

Dr Brooke Brady
University of New South Wales

Brooke is an Early Career Research Fellow at the School of Psychology, a Conjoint Research Fellow, Neuroscience Research Australia and an Associate Investigator, UNSW Ageing Futures Institute. Brooke is interested in the various elements that contribute to one's personal, cognitive, and cultural resilience throughout their lifetime. In her current position, she has provided advice to the ACT Chief Minister, Treasury, and Economic Development Directorate on public policies regarding social connectedness and resilience.

Brooke leads our projects’ quantitative components.

Joel Deaves

Joel is a proud Gammea-Dharrawal, Dhurga descendant from the Yuin Shoalhaven people on the South Coast of NSW. Joel is the great-grandson of Lena Chapman nee Carpenter, referred to as one of the last speakers of the Dharrawal language. Joel grew up learning dance and song from the Doonooch dancers and is a member of the Gulaga Dance Group. Alongside his family, Joel works tirelessly to restore the Gammea Dharrawal language. He does so through facilitating local community language programs within the Shoalhaven area. Carrying cultural responsibility from his teachers and uncles, Joel has played a key role in returning traditional fire methods back to Country. He understands that language, Country, people and fire go hand-in-hand.

Joel is a Gaawaadhi Gadudha South Coast language and cultural facilitator.

Professor Evelyne de Leeuw
University of Montreal and University of New South Wales

Evelyne is Professor of Public Health at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal (ESPUM) where she holds a ‘Canada Excellence in Research Chair’ in One Urban Health. Her UNSW appointment is with the UNSW Cities Institute. Evelyne’s background is in public health and health promotion, cities and health political science. Evelyne serves on a dozen global advisory groups, from small community endeavours, to public sector entities, to the World Health Organisation.

Evelyne is a Chief Investigator on Gaawaadhi Gadudha projects.

Dermott Fields

Dermott is a proud Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay man born in Walgett, living and working on Gamilaraay Country. He teaches Gamilaraay language in schools across the region, driven by a deep commitment to revitalising and sharing culture. He is also passionate about supporting men and boys who are doing it tough, helping them reconnect with Country, culture, identity and purpose. To Dermott, cultural health means staying connected to who he is, including his language, Country and people and carrying this knowledge with pride. When our culture is strong, our communities are stronger.

Dermott is a Gaawaadhi Gadudha North West language and cultural facilitator.

Premila Foster
University of New South Wales

Premila joined the team as a Project Officer in 2025. Drawing from her professional background as an anthropologist, she brings extensive experience working closely with Aboriginal communities in Central Australia and Far North Queensland.

Premila supports the team through project coordination, implementation and evaluation, as well as research assistance.

Warren Foster Jr

Warren Foster Jr, known as Prodikal-1, is a Yuin Djiringanj artist who blends traditional Indigenous and contemporary influences. As a talented musician, singer-songwriter and hip-hop performer, he connects with audiences, especially youth, through his music, which often carries powerful cultural messages.

Warren Jr. is actively involved in community music initiatives, such as the ‘Grow the Music’ program at Wallaga Lake, where he has mentored young performers. He has also contributed to collaborative projects that support cultural education. His performances frequently feature young people from his community, demonstrating his commitment to fostering talent and cultural knowledge across generations within his Yuin-Djirringanj Country.

Warren Jr is a Gaawaadhi Gadudha South Coast language and cultural facilitator.

Dr Jonathan (Yotti) Kingsley
Swinburne University of Technology

Jonathan is a Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion. Prior to academia, Jonathan worked in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, government bodies and Non-Government Organisations in public health and community development. Jonathan views our natural environment as having the capacity to bridge health inequalities. In addition to maintaining an extensive publishing track record, Yotti is involved in community engagement related to Indigenous and environmental health.

Yotti is a member of the Evaluation Team on the Gaawaadhi Gadudha Cultural Health Program study.

Kyiesha O’Leary

Kyiesha is a proud Gamilaroi woman born and raised in the Tamworth region of NSW. She has supported many walaay (camp) with her bubaa (father) and guni (mother). She is mentoring and supporting Gamilaroi children in out-of-home care, including their time at walaay.

Kyiesha is supporting the delivery of the Cultural Health Program, particularly the walaay (camp) component.

Kerry Parsons

Kerry is a Yuin-Djirringanj Cultural Knowledge Holder, who has been doing cultural work since the age of 15. She is an on-site officer for sea and land programs, working with organisations who may be interested in building on Country. Kerry holds important knowledge about bush foods and medicines and concentrates on bringing women together. She sits on multiple boards, including the Gulaga Board of Management and Merrimans LALC.

Kerry is a Gaawaadhi Gadudha South Coast cultural facilitator.

Dr Craig Sinclair
University of New South Wales

Craig Sinclair has a background in social science and applied psychology. He undertakes research in rights-based care and the design and evaluation of psycho-social programs. Originally from Western Australia, he now lives with his partner on Gundungurra and Darug lands in the Blue Mountains.

Craig advises the team on the trial design and statistical analysis.

Professor Steph Topp
James Cook University

Steph is a health policy and systems researcher with a background in global public health, political, and social sciences. Her research focuses on the political and power dynamics that influence the design and operationalisation of equitable health policy and health systems. Steph is Director of James Cook University’s Centre for Rural, Remote and Tropical Health Systems and course co-coordinator for the Masters of Public Health – Masters of Development Studies. She is on the Editorial Board of several leading journals and previously served on the Board of Directors for Health Systems Global. She has published over 120 peer reviewed publications and currently holds a NHMRC EL2 Investigator Award.

Steph is a member of the Evaluation Team on the Gaawaadhi Gadudha Cultural Health Program study.

Professor Anthony Zwi
University of New South Wales

Anthony is Professor of Global Health and Development. He teaches, researches and supervises Masters and PhD students. Anthony has longstanding interest in global health, rights and social justice, the positive and negative experiences of ‘development’, and the promotion of evidence-informed policy. His works are highly regarded with the co-edited World report on Violence and Health cited over 12,657 times to-date.

Anthony is a member of the Trial Research Team on the Gaawaadhi Gadudha Cultural Health Program study.

Together, we have expertise in:

Indigenous health
Allied health
Geography
Sociology
Anthropology
Psychology
Global health
Health policy
Community development
Health systems
Qualitative research