Australia has a long history of community action successfully influencing policy and politics. In this third keynote address of the Australia Speaks series, Cathy McGowan AO, respected former politician and so-called ‘godmother’ of the independents movement, explored how Australia can be inspired through the opportunities, the strategies and the challenges of Putting Communities at the Centre of Politics.
On 13 June 2023 Cathy was joined at the National Museum of Australia by Wiradjuri descendant and Fulbright Scholar Adam Davids, who responded to the theme by examining the key issues in working with historically marginalised people to build sustainable and high impact movements for positive social change.
Keynote address by Cathy McGowan
Adam Davids is a proud Aboriginal man and a descendant of the Wiradjuri people. He is a Fulbright Scholar, board member of Social Ventures Australia, and managing partner of First Nations Equity Partners. Adam’s upbringing in Wagga Wagga and Sydney’s south-west inspired him to become a social entrepreneur.
As one of the pioneers behind the national not-for-profit organisations CareerTrackers and CareerSeekers, Adam has supported thousands of First Nations university students, asylum seekers and refugees in pursuing professional and managerial careers in the private sector.
Cathy McGowan came to national attention when she won the rural Victorian seat of Indi as an independent in 2013, defeating the longstanding Liberal incumbent. During her two terms in office, Cathy worked to develop policy around regional development, constitutional change for First Nations people and a solution to the indefinite detention of asylum seekers.
Since leaving politics she has been active in supporting the community independents movement and is currently the Chair of AgriFutures Australia, a national agricultural research and development corporation.
In 2019 she received an Accountability Round Table Integrity Award, recognising federal parliamentarians who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the public interest. She lives happily on her farm in the Indigo Valley in north-east Victoria.
Response by Adam Davids
Adam Davids is a proud Aboriginal man and a descendant of the Wiradjuri people. He is a Fulbright Scholar, board member of Social Ventures Australia, and managing partner of First Nations Equity Partners. Adam’s upbringing in Wagga Wagga and Sydney’s south-west inspired him to become a social entrepreneur.
As one of the pioneers behind the national not-for-profit organisations CareerTrackers and CareerSeekers, Adam has supported thousands of First Nations university students, asylum seekers and refugees in pursuing professional and managerial careers in the private sector.
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