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Susan Moylan-Coombs
The Gaimaragal Group, Sydney, Australia
Keynote: J Psychiatry & Mental Health Research
What does the oldest living culture on the planet have to offer with regards to Mental Health? Share in the teachings of First Nations People of the Great Southern Land, Terra Australis and what we have to offer in supporting the wellbeing of all? Ancient philosophies for a modern-day society. The Gaimaragal Group is a First Nations organisation that has been established to lead social change and create social impact by bringing together like minds and like spirits. We believe that the philosophies and teachings of First Nations Peoples of this continent, the way of life that has sustained us for tens of thousands of years, is worth sharing, and that in doing so, we can create a new story of connection and wellbeing for all Australians. Our aim is to facilitate the voice for our Elders in the contemporary social space, empower our youth to realise their full potential, and provide two-way cultural translation to bring individuals and communities together. Susan Moylan-Coombs’ ancestry and DNA predates Australia. She is a Woolwonga Gurindji woman from the Northern Territory and was taken at birth from her mother and father, who were also removed as part of the former government policies; these children are today known as the Stolen Generations.
Susan Moylan-Coombs’ ancestry is from one of the oldest surviving living cultures on this planet. She is a Wool Wonga Gurindji woman from the Northern Territory and was taken at birth from her mother and father, who were also removed as part of the former government policies; these children are today known as the Stolen Generations. Born Susan Calma, she is related to the former Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr. Tom Calma. At the age of 3 years, she was adopted by the eldest son of the iconic Australian public servant Dr. H.C. “Nugget” Coombs and raised on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Gaimaragal country as Susan Coombs. She has extensive experience working with First Nations communities nationally, with specific expertise in community consultation, empowerment and the facilitation of voice and storytelling. Susan previously held the positions of Producer, Director and Executive Producer, ABC’s Indigenous Programs Unit and Head of Production, NITV a division of SBS. She was recently the First Peoples Consultant on the feature film “Storm Boy” that was shot in Adelaide. As well, she uses her expertise to work with mainstream organizations and communities in the provision of cultural competency and immersion sessions as well as social planning processes. She is one of the founding Board members of the PTSD Australia New Zealand (Fearless Outreach) organization as well as a number of community committees in the Northern Sydney Region and Board member of Council of the Aged, COTANSW and former board member of NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. Local to the Northern Sydney region Susan created the Gaimaragal Festival (Formerly Guringai Festival) in 2000. She advocated for an Indigenous Learning space whilst working for the Northern Beaches College, TAFENSW. She created the “Caber-ra Nanga” Resting the Mind Wellbeing Program offered in collaboration with Relationships Australia. In the last federal election, Susan ran as an Independent against Tony Abbott.
