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Panel members just announced! Meet the panel members below.
Overview
QPAC in partnership with Multicultural Australia is excited to be hosting Who Are We? – Identity in a Multicultural Australia, facilitated by Benjamin Law and featuring panel members Dr Dinesh Palipana, Courtney Stewart, Dr Indigo Willing and Mayor Jon Raven.
What does it mean to be Australian today? How do we come to terms with an ever-changing idea of what it means to be ‘Australian’ that is moving away from the traditionally accepted stereotypes of a Euro-centric, monolingual population to a much more diverse face of Australia?
Don’t miss this conversation with our panel about our national identity as we explore the reality of our present-day cultural diversity and unravel ideas of belonging, heritage and collective identity.
This event will also feature a Welcome to Country by Shannon Ruska and Tribal Experiences, and curated performance by Mable Park State School, brought to you by Women of the World (WOW) Australia – a proud supporter of Changing the Conversation.
Who Are We? – Identity in a Multicultural Australia is supported by the Department of Multicultural Affairs as part of Multicultural Queensland Month.
About Changing the Conversation
Bringing together thought leaders from academia, government, business, and the community to engage in robust discussions about multiculturalism in the Australian context, the Changing the Conversation series – presented by Multicultural Australia in partnership with QPAC – explores issues of who and where we are as a nation and what we need to do to create a society that better reflects and cares for all its people. Who Are We?: Identity in a Multicultural Australia is the third of four events in this series to be held in 2024.
Meet the Panellists
Panel
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Benjamin Law (Facilitator)
Benjamin Law writes books, TV screenplays, columns, essays and feature journalism. Every week, Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show Stop Everything. He also co-hosts online startup and tech TV show That Startup Show, and you can catch him on TV shows like Q&A (ABC), The Drum (ABC), The Project (Ten) and Filthy Rich and Homeless (SBS).
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Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM is a doctor, lawyer, disability advocate, and researcher. While in medical school, he was involved in a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury. He was Queensland’s first quadriplegic medical intern.
An award-winning individual both professionally and personally, Dinesh was the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Junior Doctor of the Year in 2018. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019. He was the third Australian to be awarded a Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. He was the 2021 Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year. Dinesh was the Queensland Australian of the Year for 2021. In 2022, Dinesh was listed as number 33 in the Courier Mail’s top 100 power list for Queensland’s most influential in health and wellbeing. His autobiography, Stronger, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2022.
He is a strong advocate and leader for human rights and inclusion, serving in many capacities to build the understanding and capability of the Queensland community regarding people with disabilities.
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Courtney Stewart
Courtney Stewart is an acclaimed director, dramaturg, actor and teaching artist with a deep passion for intercultural works and multicultural dramaturgies. She is the current Artistic Director and CEO of La Boite Theatre.
A proud Queenslander, Courtney started her professional career as an actor before honing her talents as a director, dramaturg, diversity advocate, and change maker for some of the country’s most prolific companies and organisations, including Sydney Theatre Company (as Directing Associate and Richard Wherrett Fellow), Belvoir, and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (as Artistic Associate).
Courtney was previously Chair of the Equity Diversity Committee, a delegate to the National Performers Committee, and a former board member for Contemporary Asian Australian Performance.
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Dr Indigo Willing
Dr Indigo Willing is the creator and co-founder of award-winning community projects focused on diversity and inclusion.
Her activities span social worlds that reflect her diverse background and lived experiences as a Vietnam War orphan and adoptee, an Asian Australian, academic and skateboarder.
She is a co-founder of the women and Queer-led networks – Consent is Rad, and We Skate QLD – and is a part of the Skating/Sustainability/Health Research/Environmental Design (SSHRED) team. She is also the Co-Chair of the International Advisory Board for Skateistan. Reflecting her other community connections, she is also the founder of the Adopted Vietnamese International (AVI) network, and convenes the Asian Australian Films, Forum, and News Network.
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Mayor Jon Raven
Mayor Jon Raven was elected to lead the city of Logan earlier this year. His new role builds on his previous work; he’d been serving the city as Councillor since 2016. Mayor Raven is passionate about creating local jobs, encouraging investment and working closely with the community to help Logan realise its full potential.
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Shannon Ruska (Welcome to Country)
Shannon Ruska descends from the Yuggera, Nunukul and Yugambeh people of the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions. He has been working on reviving and maintaining Indigenous culture through arts and entertainment for more than 23 years. In his career he has educated over 15 million people globally via live stage performances, Welcome to Country speeches and TV appearances across the globe.
From the big stages to schools, Shannon has taught over 2000 Indigenous children from the South East Queensland corner through Aboriginal song, dance and culture. Shannon has been an Advisor and Cultural Consultant for major companies such as Brisbane City Council, Qantas Airlines, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and many others in Tourism, Mining, Education, Arts and Construction. He is also a member of the QTIC Indigenous Champions Network and continues to share stories of the Aboriginal culture to bring these stories to life.
From the Newsroom
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Changing the Conversation with Benjamin Law
We catch up with Benjamin Law on talking about key issues in our multicultural society.
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Changing the Conversation returns with thought-provoking discussions
Following a successful season in 2023, QPAC and Multicultural Australia are thrilled to announce the return of Changing the Conversation, a four-part series unpacking issues affecting all Australians.