An Annual Lecture

portrait of Frank ArchibaldThe Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture is an annual event held in honour of Mr Frank Archibald, a revered Aboriginal community member of the Armidale area. Frank Archibald was renowned for his knowledge and interest in all issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly education.

The Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture has been held as part of the University of New England’s Lecture Series since 1986 and is dedicated to Frank Archibald, his family and Aboriginal people of the New England region. The Lecture is presented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers who are leading professionals in fields such as education, law, social justice, government and the arts. When the University established the Lecture, its intention was to invite speakers to give public address on current issues which are important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with an emphasis on education. Over the many years, speakers have included Jackie Huggins, Dr Pat O’Shane, Mick Dodson, Noel Pearson, the late Charles Perkins, Senator Aden Ridgeway and Rachael Maza Long.

In 2011 the 25th anniversary of the Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture was commemorated through a presentation by the founding Director of Oorala Aboriginal Centre, Ms Lynette Riley, who had established this lecture series at the University in 1986.

2023: Carol Vale presents

Power of Business to Drive Economic and Social Change within Indigenous Communities.

2023-Carol Vale Growing the Indigenous business sector has the potential to significantly assist Indigenous communities in breaking complex cycles of intergenerational disadvantage. There is a great deal of evidence which indicates that when women engage in small business opportunities, they can change economic and social outcomes not only for themselves, but for their families and in many instances their extended families and communities.

When empowered, women can be the drivers of change and lead the way to a better future for their communities.  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women all across the country, in remote, regional and urban areas, are doing just that, taking control of their own economic lives and creating a secure and positive future for their children and their families.

Investing in Indigenous women’s economic empowerment is essential to our nation’s journey towards empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live healthy, safe and prosperous lives.

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Lecture Series

202- FAML poster2020: Prof. Michelle Trudgett presents Cementing Indigenous leadership in higher education

2019: The Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP presents Teaching Indigenous Australia  –  Understanding our past and unlocking our future

2018: Dr Lou Bennett presents Sovereign Language Repatriation: Language Pedagogy through Song Composition

2017: Dr Ray Kelly presents 'Memories, Milestones and Monuments'

2016: Sean Gordon presents 'The sorry business of doing things to us'

2015: Prof. Rhonda Marriot presents 'Valuing Ngaarda Ways in Research'

2014: Mr Romlie Mokak presents 'Our People in Professions'

Dr Ray Kelly presents2013: Ass.Prof. Karen L Martin presents 'Motivation + Action - Tradition = Aboriginal Schooling'

2012: Prof. Peter Buckskin presents 'Rights Responsibilities and Reciprocity.... Who does the heavy lifting?'

2011: Ms Lynette Riley presents 'Influences on Aboriginal lives - a personal reflection'

2010: Mr Gary Oakley presents 'Unsung Heroes' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander' Service in the Australian defence Forces

2009: Dianne Roberts OAM presents The Challenge for Educational Research:
Educating for Creativity and Difference

Ms Lynette Riley poster2008: Ass Prof. Dr Peter O'Mara presents 'Improving Indigenous Health'

2007: Rachel Maza Long presents 'How Lucky Am I'

2006: Noel Tovey presents 'Reclaiming My Aboriginality'

2005: Deborah Cheetham presents 'Losing my religion'

2004: Senator Aden Ridgeway presents 'Race, Identity and Politics'

2003: Dr Pat O'Shane AM presents 'Does our Constitution serve an Australian Democracy?'

2002: James Wilson-Miller presents 'Visionaries of Social Change'

2007 Rachel Maza Long lecture poster2001: Ms Jackie Huggins AM presents 'Working the Walk: Activating
Reconciliation'

2000: Prof. John Lester presents '20 Years of Aboriginal EducationPolicy: Where are we?'

1999: Mr Dennis Eggington presents 'Justice in Black Hands: A new approach for a new millennia'

1998: Dr Pat O'Shane AM presents 'Aboriginal Political Movements: Some Observations'

1997: Noel Pearson presents 'Why John Howard's Ten Point Plan Will Destroy Reconciliation'

1996: Linda Burney presents 'Education and Social Justice'

2003 Pat OShane lecture poster1995: Grace Smallwood presents 'Australia's Fourth World Nation'

1994: Michael Dodson presents 'Cultural Rights and Educational Responsibilities'

1993: Mary Ann Bin-Sallik presents 'Aborigines and Universities: are they compatible?'

1992: Lyall Munro Jr. presents 'A Personal Perspective of my Involvement with Aboriginal Affairs'

1991: Dr Margaret Valadian presents 'Aboriginal Education - Development or Destruction'

1990: Charles N. Perkins presents 'Welfare and Aboriginal people in Australia - Time for a New Direction1990: Charles N. Perkins presents 'Welfare and Aboriginal people in Australia - Time for a New Direction'

1989: Tiga Bayles presents 'We Live with the problems, We Know the Solutions'

1988: Lilla J. Watson presents 'The meeting of Two Traditions: Aboriginal Studies in the University - A Murri Perspective'

1987: Paul Hughes presents 'Aboriginal Culture and learning Styles - A Challenge for Academics in Higher Educational Institutions'

1986: Prof. Eric P. Willmot presents 'Future Pathways: Equity or Isolation'