2025: Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture
Date: Thursday 11 September 2025
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
Venue: Oorala Aboriginal Centre and ZOOM webinar
From Protest to Policy
Presented by Yvonne Weldon
Yvonne’s uncle, Paul Coe, passed away recently, and she would like to reflect on his legacy and her upbringing amidst the Redfern revolution. She'll also draw from her experience in government and as a community representative to discuss stalled progress on Closing the Gap.
UNE’s Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture has been held as part of university’s calendar 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.
From Policy to Protest
Yvonne Weldon is an independent councillor and the first Aboriginal councillor in the City of Sydney's 180-year history. She was born and raised in inner Sydney but maintains strong ties to her Wiradjuri homelands of Cowra and the Riverina areas of New South Wales.
She follows in the footsteps of a proud tradition of activists and change-makers (including her great-aunt Mum Shirl and her uncle Paul Coe, a prominent Aboriginal rights campaigner). Her family were instrumental in establishing the Aboriginal Children’s Service, Aboriginal Medical Service and Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern.
Yvonne was inspired to run for Council to ensure local government is representative, helping those who have traditionally been excluded find their voice and influence change.
Prior to her election to Council, Yvonne has held numerous senior positions in NSW Government, non-government and Aboriginal controlled organisations working across health, human services, childcare, child protection, housing, disability services and Aboriginal heritage.
She has served as the elected Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deputy Chair of the NSW Australia Day Council and as a Board member of Domestic Violence NSW and Redfern Jarjum College.
Yvonne was awarded the 2019 NSW Volunteer of the Year for the South Sydney Region and in 2022 was recognised as the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the Aboriginal community.
Her debut novel, Sixty-Seven Days, was also published in 2022. The previously unpublished manuscript was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards David Unaipon Award.
