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Sam Murray, CEO of the Indigenous Desert Alliance, brings a powerful blend of desert wisdom and modern leadership to her role in protecting one-third of Australia's landscape. As a Yilka/Wongutha/Nyoongar woman who grew up in Cosmo Newberry, Sam's connection to country runs deep, informing every aspect of her work supporting ranger groups across 2.7 million square kilometres of arid lands.

What makes Sam's leadership journey fascinating is how she draws strength from her experience as a single mother raising two independent daughters. The decision-making capabilities she developed as a parent have translated directly into her ability to lead a complex organization. Yet she still brings that nurturing "desert mum" energy to her team, balancing care with the broader perspective required of a CEO.

Throughout our conversation, Sam highlights the critical environmental work being done in Australia's desert regions. Rangers are protecting unique wildlife, such as the elusive marsupial mole and the rare night parrot, while battling invasive species and adapting to increasingly harsh climate impacts. What becomes clear is the profound irony that desert communities face the most severe consequences of climate change despite contributing minimally to its causes.

Perhaps most inspiring is Sam's philosophy on environmental stewardship. Rather than becoming paralyzed by overwhelming challenges, she advocates for focused, purposeful action on what's within our control. "Desert mob are out there every day," she explains, tackling one small area at a time with unwavering commitment. This approach offers wisdom for anyone feeling helpless about environmental protection – focus on what you can do, celebrate small wins, and keep moving forward.

Sam also extends a beautiful invitation to non-Indigenous people seeking deeper connection with country. By slowing down to notice nature even in urban settings, learning about traditional owners, and developing relationships with specific places, anyone can begin to understand the profound connection Aboriginal people maintain with their country.

Ready to support Indigenous-led conservation? Learn more about the crucial work of desert rangers and find ways to contribute to protecting Australia's heart and soul – the magnificent desert landscapes that hold ancient knowledge and extraordinary biodiversity.

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Michelle Evans, Director of the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, shares her remarkable journey from theatre director to business academic and reveals groundbreaking data on Australia's Indigenous business ecosystem.

• Indigenous businesses generate $16.1 billion in revenue annually, comparable to Australia's timber industry
• 13,693 active Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses employ 116,795 people and pay $4.2 billion in wages
• The Indigenous business ecosystem is deeply interconnected, with businesses supporting and supplying each other
• Key challenges include access to business education, capital investment, and developing networks with non-Indigenous financial institutions
• Evans created the Murra Indigenous Business Masterclass program, now in its 16th generation
• Indigenous businesses deliver benefits beyond economics: employment opportunities, self-determination, intergenerational wealth, and cultural knowledge sharing
• Evans emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaborative data building to showcase Indigenous economic contributions
• The Indigenous business sector aims to shift away from disadvantage discourse toward recognizing its sophisticated leadership and unique value

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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When childhood friends Katie Kiss and Liza Fraser-Gooda-McGuire sit down to yarn, something magical happens. Their conversation weaves through shared memories of growing up Aboriginal in Rockhampton – the beef capital of Australia – where racism existed alongside a profound sense of community that shaped them both.

Katie, now the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, lost her mother at six and was raised by her non-Indigenous father with the support of an entire community. "I had many mums looking out for us, many dads looking out for us," she shares, describing how elders ensured she maintained cultural connections despite her loss. Liza, a businesswoman and foundation director, grew up watching her grandmother and other community leaders advocate for change while creating safe spaces for children to gather.

Their stories reveal the power of what they call "the village" – interconnected families who provided meals, beds, guidance, and love to all children within their community. This network enabled both women to overcome significant challenges. Katie candidly discusses becoming a mother at 17, balancing education, work, and parenting with the support of mother-in-laws who "treated me like their own daughter" regardless of relationships with their sons.

The conversation takes a profound turn when discussing current challenges. Katie's nationwide consultations reveal widespread concerns about youth justice, housing crises, and especially the intensification of racism following the 2023 Voice Referendum. Katie shares her son's heartbreaking question after the referendum: "How do I walk into that space every day knowing they all voted against me....?"

Despite these challenges, their message remains one of hope and determination. Both women feel guided by ancestors – "I feel that spirit all the time," Katie says, describing how elders reach out with support precisely when needed. Their advice centres on reclaiming resilience:

“Your resilience is yours,” Katie says. “Use it fully to reach your goals.”

Subscribe to hear more powerful conversations with women who are creating change and building stronger communities through connection, wisdom, and unwavering determination.

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Send us a text

What happens when you discover your neurodivergence decades into adulthood? In this unfiltered, candid conversation, Narelle and Tess open up about receiving their diagnoses in their 40s—Narelle with ADHD and Tess with autism—and how this knowledge transformed their understanding of themselves.

From the roller coaster of emotions that followed diagnosis to the practical realities of navigating daily life with ADHD and autism, they share experiences that many late-diagnosed adults will recognize instantly. "I thought I just wasn't as smart as everybody else," Narelle reveals, discussing how her ADHD masked itself as academic struggles until she discovered that her brain simply processes information differently—sometimes even advantageously, as when her heightened awareness made her an exceptional basketball point guard.

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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(Part 2)

Following our exploration of the origins of the word "woke", Narelle and Tess dissect Peter Dutton's recent comments about "the woke agenda" in schools and education and the continued confusion so many of us have about what this word even means anymore.

Links & Resources

• Dutton's ambiguous definition of "woke" - SBS Facebook page
• Woke up call - Bill Browne, The Australia Institute
• 'Woke Up Call': Australian Attitudes to and Perceptions of 'Wokeness' - The Australia Institute
• Dutton drops vow to change school curriculum despite 'indoctrination' comments - ABC News
• Jacinta Price says Coalition will 'make Australia great again' - then accuses media of being 'obsessed with' Trump - The Guardian

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Send us a text

In this episode we’re talking about the Sam Kerr racial harassment case with Eve Howell, the Chair of Ember Connect.

Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment in February, following an incident in January 2023. 

After a night out with her partner Kristie Mewis, Kerr vomited out of the window of their taxi home. When the taxi driver locked the door, changed direction and started driving erratically, Kerr and Mewis called the police and kicked out a window.

The driver eventually ended up at Twickenham policed station, where Kerr climbed out the broken window only to face derision and disbelief from the police when she explained what had happened.

Check out the links below to find out more, and don't miss the bodycam footage, which clearly shows the context of Kerr's "stupid and white" comment to a police officer.

Links

• Sam Kerr was arrested on night out in London. Heres's what allegedly happened
• Full arrest video released as Sam Kerr denies using whiteness as insult
• Sam Kerr was found not guilty, now the court of public opinion will have its say
• As any woman in the back of a locked taxi knows, Sam Kerr should never have been brought to court 
• Victoria passes a "Sam Kerr clause"
• Ember Connect

About Wildfire
Wildfire is about sparking meaningful conversations that matter to Ember Connect’s members and allies. 

This podcast creates a space to amplify voices, share stories, and explore topics that drive change, connection, and personal and professional growth. 

By bringing these conversations to life, we aim to inspire action, deepen understanding, and strengthen the collective impact of the Ember Connect network.

A huge thanks to our guests for sharing their knowledge, insights, time and passion with us.

To find out more about Ember Connect, visit emberconnect.com.au or email [email protected].

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another sp

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Send us a text

We explore the persistent reality of the gender pay gap in Australia and globally, where women earn approximately 83 cents for every dollar earned by men. The national pay gap stands at 11.9% in Australia as of November 2024, resulting in women earning $246.30 less than men weekly or $12,807.60 annually.

• Gender pay gap widens to 21.8% when considering total remuneration including bonuses and additional payments
• Four key contributing factors: occupational segregation, career interruptions, discrimination, and negotiation gaps
• Knowledge and active participation are crucial to prevent regression on women's rights
• The gender pay gap isn't about cutting men down but building something better for everyone
• When women thrive with equal pay and opportunities, businesses perform better and families become more financially secure
• Men are encouraged to recognize inequalities, challenge them, and use their voices to advocate for fairness
• Resources for deeper understanding include WGEA, World Economic Forum, United Nations, and Australian Bureau of Statistics

Join us every week as we continue these important conversations. 

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Send us a text

(Part I)

You may have heard the word "woke" being thrown around quite heavily in the last couple of years, but do you know where it originated or what it actually means?

Ironically, those who wield it as a weapon struggle the most to define its true meaning.

Check out this short yarn about the origins of the word...and how it has evolved!

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Associate Professor Sadie Heckenberg is a proud Wiradjuri woman, living and working on Nipaluna Country.

Living with dyslexia, Sadie initially struggled in her studies. However, with support from her mum and her university lecturer, and with thanks to a grant that allowed her to purchase a laptop, Sadie conquered the academic world.

Sadie is now Academic Director (Aboriginal Engagement) at the University of Tasmania, after completing her PhD on protecting indigenous knowledge through oral history and culturally safe research practices in 2018.

A member of Ember Connect's Board, Sadie's story of how she went from not being able to read or write at age 11, to becoming an Associate Professor and travelling the world to meet with First Nations people is joyful listening.

References

• Join Ember Connect
• Ember Connect Game Changer Grants - Tertiary Round (closing Friday 7 Feb)
• Contact Sadie at [email protected]
• Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls, changing communities
• UTAS Research Project artwork commission - more details available soon

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Send us a text

Welcome to Wildfire, a podcast brought to you by Ember Connect. Ember Connect is a free, digital platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and allies.

In this episode we’re talking about January 26 with Jody Nunn, who is a first generation Australian ally and the CEO of Reconciliation WA.

Australia is the only country that celebrates an invasion and genocide, and yet it’s safe to say both Narelle and Tess left this conversation feeling uplifted and positive about the future.

Jody’s advice on discussing facts and calling people in (rather than out) was particularly beneficial for allies. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed recording it.

Links

• Reconciliation WA
• Reconciliation Australia
• The Australian Wars on SBS
• Ember Connect

References

• Noongar Culture
• Wadjela, wedjela - Noongar slang for a white person
• Moorditj - Noongar word meaning hard, solid or strong; in slang it means good, the best.

About Wildfire
Wildfire is about sparking meaningful conversations that matter to Ember Connect’s members and allies. 

This podcast creates a space to amplify voices, share stories, and explore topics that drive change, connection, and personal and professional growth. 

By bringing these conversations to life, we aim to inspire action, deepen understanding, and strengthen the collective impact of the Ember Connect network.

A huge thanks to our guests for sharing their knowledge, insights, time and passion with us.

To find out more about Ember Connect, visit emberconnect.com.au or email [email protected].

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.