Our inaugural Proud Spirit Awards were presented at the Proud Futures Conference in Garramilla (Darwin) on 27–29 August 2025.
The theme for our 2025 Conference was ‘Proud Futures’. This reflected the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in shaping the next generation, celebrating identity, self-determination, and cultural continuity into the future.
The Gayaa Dhuwi National Conference 2025, Proud Futures, was held on Garramilla Country, Darwin, from 27–29 August 2025. Over three days, delegates, leaders, and communities came together to reflect on our milestones, celebrate our achievements, and chart the next steps in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention.
The theme, Proud Futures, recognised the strength of our peoples in shaping the next generation by celebrating identity, self-determination, and the cultural legacy that has endured for over 65,000 years. Across the program, speakers unpacked the policy environment, explored community-led solutions, and shared lived experiences that grounded discussions in real-world impact. Together, we marked ten years since the launch of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration, five years since the formal establishment of Gayaa Dhuwi as a national peak leadership body, and the launch of the National Impact Platform 2025–2028.
The energy of the conference was one of pride, momentum, and hope by acknowledging challenges while focusing firmly on a brighter tomorrow. Our next National Conference will be held in 2027, continuing this journey of leadership, cultural strength, and systemic change.
2025 National Conference Highlights
Weren’t able to join us in Garramilla? We’ve got you covered! Check out some the highlights below!
Our inaugural Conference, Ways Forward, was held in Melbourne on 29 and 30 August 2023. Conferences will be held biannually.
The release of the 1995 Ways Forward Report was a landmark event that brought together the voices, experiences, and expertise of individuals and communities affected by mental health issues. It represented the culmination of extensive consultations with mental health consumers, carers, professionals, and community organisations, establishing a framework for transforming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health care and support in Australia.
By choosing this theme, we honoured the courage and resilience of those who participated in the first national mental health consultation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to recognised the lasting impact of their contributions.
The theme for our 2023 Conference was ‘Ways Forward’. This was a reflection on the policy development in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention.
The 1995 Ways Forward Report provided a roadmap for change, focusing on principles of recovery, consumer and carer participation, community-based care, and the need for culturally responsive and inclusive services.
The conference theme presented an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the release of the report, to critically examine the gaps that still exist, and to explore innovative approaches and solutions for the future. It called for us to evaluate the extent to which the aspirations and recommendations outlined in the report have been realised, and to identify areas for further development and improvement.
Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, we delved into key themes and issues that emerged from the 1995 Ways Forward Report. This conference invited mental health professionals, policymakers, researchers, consumers, carers, and community leaders to engage in dialogue, share knowledge and experiences, and collaborate on strategies to advance the social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It was an opportunity to learn from the past, assess the present, and collectively envision a future where mental health services are person-centred, culturally responsive, and accessible to all.
As we reflected on the achievements and lessons of the 1995 Ways Forward Report, we were reminded of the power of collaboration, the strength of lived experience, and the importance of listening to diverse perspectives. By embracing the conference theme, delegates recommitted themselves to the vision of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration, to achieve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, excellence, and presence across all parts of the Australian mental health system and the achievement of the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This was an inspiring and transformative conference, where we honoured the legacy of the 1995 Ways Forward Report and worked together towards a way forward.
2023 National Conference Highlights
Weren’t able to join us in Naarm? We’ve got you covered! Check out some the highlights below!