Overview
Join us at the First Nations Funders Network meeting on 25 June for a focused conversation on two priority themes identified by peer network members:
- Partnerships, Collaboration & Collective Action
- Voice, Treaty, Truth & Nation-Building
Georgina Lyell will share insight into the Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations self-determined outcomes fund project and the opportunity to advance First Nations economic development through partnerships with communities, state and federal governments, and philanthropic organisations.
Travis Lovett will reflect on his recent 905km Walk for Truth from Melbourne to Canberra, where he delivered an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for a national process of truth-telling. The historic Walk for Truth was a 25-day journey from Portland on Gunditjmara Country to Parliament House in Melbourne. The walk traversed more than 500 kilometres, passing through sites of deep cultural and historical significance to raise awareness of Yoorrook’s work and the importance of truth-telling in creating a shared future for all Victorians.
The Walk for Truth became one of Victoria’s largest public acts of truth-telling and solidarity, with more than 12,000 First Peoples and allies joining along the way and over 5,000 people registering to participate in sections of the journey. The walk culminated with more than 5,000 people gathering at Parliament House, demonstrating a growing commitment to truth, justice, healing and hope.
Thursday 25 June 2026
- 12:30pm - 2:00pm AEST (ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC)
- 12:00pm - 1:30pm ACST (NT, SA)
- 10:30am - 12:00pm AWST (WA)
Online event
Details will be provided after the registration is submitted.
Audience
This event is for Philanthropy Australia First Nations Funders Network members only.
We welcome Philanthropy Australia Engage (individual/ organisation) and Impact members who are already funding First Nations-led organisations and communities to consider opting in to the Terms of Reference (ToR) to join the First Nations Funders Network. You can commit to the Terms of Reference through this opt-in page.
Not at this membership level? Please reach out to membership@philanthropy.org.au.
Speakers
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Travis Lovett, Executive Director, Centre of Truth Telling and Dialogue, University of Melbourne
Travis Lovett is a proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, respected truth-teller, community leader and former Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Australia’s first formal truth-telling commission. Throughout his career, he has been a powerful advocate for First Peoples’ rights, justice, healing and reconciliation, working to ensure that the experiences, histories and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard and understood.
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Lovett’s leadership helped bring national attention to the work of Yoorrook, which over four years received more than 1,300 submissions documenting the impacts of colonisation and the enduring strength, resilience and achievements of Victoria’s First Peoples. Through his advocacy, he continues to champion truth-telling as a pathway to healing, understanding and meaningful reform.
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A compelling speaker and bridge-builder, Travis inspires Australians to engage honestly with the past, listen deeply to First Nations voices, and walk together towards a more just and equitable future.
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Georgina Lyell, Director of Employment, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
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Peer Network Chair
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Michelle Steele - Chief First Nations Officer, Paul Ramsay Foundation
Michelle is a Kamilaroi/Gomeroi Yinarr from Moree, NSW, and is the Chief First Nations Officer at the Paul Ramsay Foundation and is a Board Member of Hands Across Canberra. Prior to joining PRF, Michelle worked in the public sector for more than 18 years, leading in key policy areas delivering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in health and aged care. |
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Michelle has represented Australia at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She is also an inaugural Fellow of the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program, an Indigenous-led lifelong collaborative fellowship program and platform for systemic change.
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Peer Network Lead
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Ollie Hanson, Director, Engagement (WA), Philanthropy Australia
Ollie is passionate about leveraging philanthropy to drive positive social impact and leads Philanthropy Australia’s engagement efforts in Western Australia and South Australia.
With over 15 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, Ollie’s career spans major gift fundraising at the University of Melbourne, international grantmaking and partnerships at the Minderoo Foundation, and corporate sustainability at Bankwest.
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He is deeply committed to First Nations self-determination and played a pivotal role in establishing the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program in 2016, a groundbreaking initiative that fosters Indigenous-led social change across Australia, Aotearoa, and the Pacific Islands.
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Learn more about Philanthropy Australia membership.
