Melbourne Poche Indigenous Health Leadership Program Module 1

The 2025 Poche Indigenous Health Leadership Program began in beautiful Narrm on 16 March, with 10 amazing new Fellows joining Professor Shawana Andrews and Dr Emily Munro-Harrison to explore what Indigenous futures means in the context of health leadership.

As a group we considered our responsibilities and values in relation to our power and place. Fellows discussed different concepts of Indigenous leadership and their own values and motivations. Under the four elder river red gum trees that are part of Billibellary’s walk the Fellows learnt some of the history of the place of the University of Melbourne, while getting to know each other.

^{Caption: Fellows gathered under the elder river red gum trees}

A panel made up of the outstanding Indigenous health leaders Dr Jill Gallagher, Aunty Lorraine Parsons, Professor Sean Taylor and Associate Professor Jacob Prehn made us laugh, consider our own responsibilities and think about the best ways to care for our communities and ourselves.

^{Caption: Panel speakers L-R, Professor Sean Taylor, Dr Jill Gallagher, Aunty Lorraine Parsons and Associate Professor Jacob Prehn}

We then headed to Yiruk-Wamoon (Wilson’s Prom) for an unforgettable walk led by Wiradjuri ranger Clinton Morton. Clinton spoke about the importance of caring for Country, adapting to change, and considering how best to balance a variety of interests in relation to culture, place and the challenges that present themselves to us on a daily basis, while continuing cultural and spiritual practices in authentic and meaningful ways.

^{Caption: 2025 Fellows at Yiruk-Wamoon L-R: Steph Thow-Tapp, Emily Munro-Harrison, Clinton Morton (Ranger, PV), Shawana Andrews, Jessie Barnes-Hill, Sharon Mongta, Tracey Brand, Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse, Bernard Kelly-Edwards, Madelyne Hudson-Buhagiar, Nakkari Smith, Shannon Tobler-Williams and Daniel Carter}

Fellows had the opportunity to think deeply about their own pathways into leadership and on the final day presented powerful metaphors about their approaches and conceptualisation of Indigenous leadership.

^{Caption: Fellows walking along the river at Yiruk-Wamoon}

We are looking forward to everyone getting back together for module 2, where we will head to Tkaronto to explore the concept of place, and global Indigenous health leadership.

Photo credit: James Henry

Find out more

Explore the program in more detail with the Program overview

If you would like to be part of the next cohort, express your interest in the 2026 program.