Written by Fran Stahlut

Last night’s 2015 Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture saw a turnout of approximately 80 people fill the Oorala Lecture Theatre. UNE’s Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Sue Thomas introduced Professor Rhonda Marriott to speak about Valuing Ngaarda Ways in Research before an audience which included many members of the Archibald family, UNE’s Vice-Chancellor, members of the UNE Council and the Mayor of Armidale as well as a good turnout of academics and staff.
The evening commenced with an welcome to country presented by the great, great granddaughter of Mr Frank Archibald, Ms Thelma Davunau. This young woman spoke from the heart about her grandfather’s legacy in inspiring his family to all work hard to achieve big dreams & to this end she hopes to study medicine here at UNE after completing high school at the New England Girls School.

Professor Marriott is currently Professor, Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing at Murdoch University & has a lifetime of experience & subsequent expertise in Aboriginal maternal and child health. She was both warm & engaging, speaking passionately about the idea of inclusivity and consultation essential to valuing Ngaarda (Aboriginal) ways in research. The central tenet of this approach she described as ‘Nothing about us without us’ – and Professor Marriott stressed its importance in research methodology that is both participatory and engaged.

She continued by providing examples of the work she had been involved with and of the necessity of working with people on-the-ground in a truly collaborative fashion which then ensures research is reflective of people’s real life experiences. This authenticity and ownership leads to findings that are relevant and owned within the participant’s own communities. This approach of course has relevance for the design and implementation of government programmes as well as research.

Professor Marriott clearly employs Ngaarda ways in all aspects of her own research as she acknowledged the many wonderful people she had worked with and her generosity of spirit and total commitment to the work she does was evident to all present.