Leading Aboriginal Education, Curriculum and Community Building

As leaders in Aboriginal education and President and Vice President of the Aboriginal Studies Association, Kylie and Cathie share their expertise to equip educators with the knowledge, skills and confidence to respectfully and authentically teach Aboriginal histories and cultures to all students.  Associate Professor Cathie Burgess is an author, educator, researcher, and advocate for Aboriginal Education. As a lecturer at The University of Sydney, she specialises in Aboriginal Studies, Education, Aboriginal Community Engagement, Learning from Country, and Leadership in Aboriginal Education programs. With extensive teaching and leadership experience, Cathie continues to maintain strong connections with school communities through her work in teacher professional learning and impactful research projects. Her dedication to Aboriginal Education is recognised through prestigious honours, including Honorary Life Membership with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and Life Membership with the Aboriginal Studies Association NSW and the 2024 recipient of Teacher Educator of the Year Award. Cathie co-author of Be That Teacher Who Makes a Difference and Lead Aboriginal Education with Kylie Captain, a best-selling book making a difference for educators across the nation. Kylie Captain is a proud Gamilaroi woman, a best-selling author, and an educator with over two decades of experience in education leadership and community services. She has made significant contributions through her expertise in delivering impactful professional development and workshops nation-wide. As the President of the Aboriginal Studies Association and the Founder of Dream Big Education Wellbeing and Education, Kylie leads initiatives that promote cultural awareness and Aboriginal educational excellence. Kylie was a 2024 finalist for the NSW Woman of the Year Award in the category of Aboriginal Woman of the Year and recently published her third book at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Her commitment to using her extensive experience and overcoming personal adversities drives her mission to create positive change as she aims to make a difference, one student, one school, and one organisation at a time.