As I sit down to reflect on EDUtech 2026, one thing stands out above all else: the power of creating space for First Nations voices to lead the conversations about Aboriginal education.
Every session in this year’s First Nations Stream was led by a First Nations educator. It was a two day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence, innovation, leadership and truth-telling in education. It was an opportunity for educators from across Australia to come together, listen, learn, challenge their thinking and deepen their commitment to better Aboriginal education outcomes for all students.
At Wingaru Education, we are incredibly proud to play a key role in bringing the stream together. From shaping the program to supporting speakers, creating opportunities for connection and ensuring First Nations perspectives remained at the centre of every conversation, it was a true labour of love from our team. And seeing it all come together, gathering with mob to support each other as we shared story with the thousands of teachers and educators who attend EDUtech is definitely a highlight. I am buzzing with energy, inspiration and connection - feeling so privileged to be part of what is a pretty deadly community.
Across the stream, we were privileged to hear from an extraordinary group of speakers who generously shared their knowledge, experiences and expertise. To each person who took the stage, facilitated a conversation, shared a story or challenged the audience to think differently – thank you. Your voices made this stream what it was. From the moment Uncle Max Lenoy and Melanie Hughes, from ACARA opened the stream with his presentation Built in, not bolted on - Culturally rich technologies learning using the Australian Curriculum FIRST framework , the theatre was full of energy.
Wingaru Education was proud to contribute a number of sessions to the program
I had the privilege of presenting ‘Leading the Change: Building a shared commitment to Aboriginal education across your school’ with Deputy Principal Aaron Johnstone (Mr J’s Classroom). School leaders have enormous influence over culture, priorities and outcomes, and it was encouraging to see principals and executive staff engaging deeply with what meaningful leadership in Aboriginal education can look like.
I was also honoured to join our partners at SBS Learn to share the story behind our collaboration to bring Aboriginal voice and perspective to the SBS Learn platform through the Dharug Ngurra resource. This session explored the importance of authentic partnerships and the role that Aboriginal-led content can play in creating richer learning experiences for students and teachers. The response from educators reinforced the growing appetite for resources that are developed with community, grounded in Country and led by Aboriginal voices.
Aunty Leanne and I participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion alongside Ben Bowen from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and Blake Sloan from the University of Sydney. Together, we explored some of the concerns surrounding artificial intelligence in Aboriginal culture and education. The conversation examined questions of cultural authority, data sovereignty, authenticity and the responsibilities educators and technology providers have when engaging with Aboriginal knowledge systems in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Brielle delivered an important session exploring cultural burden in schools and workplaces. Her presentation sparked important conversations about the often unseen expectations placed upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and highlighted practical ways schools can create more equitable and culturally safe environments.
Bek's sessions showcasing Wingaru Kids generated significant interest from educators looking for practical solutions to strengthen Aboriginal education across their schools. Seeing teachers connect with the possibilities offered by Wingaru Kids reinforced what we hear time and time again: educators want high-quality, curriculum-aligned resources that make embedding Aboriginal perspectives both achievable and meaningful. There is a reason we call Wingaru Kids the MVP of Aboriginal education! You can check out Bek’s platform walkthrough here.
Stories, Ideas and Innovation
Over two days we; explored STEM with Vince from DeadlyScience; considered literacy with Ben Bowen from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation; learned about Torres Strait Islander perspectives with Deb Belyea from Zeyawgub Consultancy; yarned about the importance of First Nations role models in the classroom with Jack Evans and Tash Theile from BTN - Behind the News; thought about culturally safe assessment from Todd Nelson at Ninti One; talked AI with Bronwyn from TIPIAC; connected to Country with Bill Simpson from Taronga Zoo as they shared how they have embedded Aboriginal knowledge into their school programs.
Amplifying First Nation Voice
The partnership between Wingaru Education and SBS Learn meant that together, we provided attendees with tote bags that celebrated and amplified the voices of those presenting within the First Nations Stream. Featuring many of the mob who contributed their expertise throughout the conference, the totes were a simple way to recognise the incredible work being undertaken by First Nations educators, leaders and changemakers across the education sector. Amplifying the work of mob in education is something we are deeply committed to, and it was wonderful to see those bags carried throughout the event.
Connection is Paramount
Beyond the formal sessions in the stream, our weaving circle became a beautiful gathering place. Throughout the event, educators, speakers and attendees sat together, shared stories, asked questions and connected through the simple act of weaving. The circle created opportunities for genuine conversations that don't always happen in conference rooms. It reminded us that some of the most genuine learning takes place when people slow down, listen and connect with one another.
A personal highlight for me was an unexpected visitor to the weaving circle: Healthy Harold.
Like many Australians, Harold forms part of my earliest educational memories. I still remember climbing into the Life Education van, looking up at the magical sparkly ceiling and feeling completely captivated. More importantly, I remember the kindness of the educators who travelled with Harold, creating spaces where children could learn, ask questions and feel seen.
For many of us, those visits represented a moment of belonging and curiosity. Having Harold stop by our weaving circle brought back those memories instantly and sparked plenty of smiles among attendees. It was a lovely reminder that education is ultimately about creating spaces where people feel welcome, valued and connected.
Important conversation with teacher and educators from all around Australia
Attending EDUtech each year is an opportunity to connect with teachers from every corner of Australia. We spoke with educators working in remote communities, regional schools and metropolitan classrooms. We heard stories of innovation, challenges, successes and determination. We created a space that teachers could ask questions, share their challenges with Aboriginal education and seek support as they develop their practice in this important space.
Perhaps most rewarding of all was hearing first-hand feedback about Wingaru's resources.
Time and again, teachers shared how our programs have helped build confidence, deepen understanding and create impactful learning experiences for students. They told us about Aboriginal students seeing themselves reflected in classroom learning, about staff feeling more equipped to teach Aboriginal perspectives respectfully, and about school communities beginning important conversations they may not have had otherwise. We played many a game of Deadly Dice, our new game that brings literacy and numeracy together in a fast paced game of assessing probability and risk.
Those moments matter.
Hearing directly from educators about the impact of our work is incredibly rewarding because it reminds us exactly why we do what we do. Every resource, every lesson, every video, every professional learning session is created with the hope of supporting better educational experiences and outcomes for every student in Australian schools and we are proud that we are helping students hear truth, experience culture and share knowledge that fuels the possibility of change.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the amazing EDUtech team for their ongoing commitment to elevating First Nations voices. Purposeful inclusion requires more than simply providing a platform, it requires listening, trusting and being willing to let mob lead the conversation. The support shown by the EDUtech team throughout the planning and delivery of the First Nations Stream demonstrated exactly that. They created space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators, leaders and experts to share their knowledge on their own terms, and the result was a richer, more impactful experience for everyone involved.
As an Aboriginal educator, there is something incredible about standing in a space where mob are not only represented but are leading the conversation. Watching educators fill rooms, engage deeply with challenging topics and leave inspired to take action gives me great hope for the future.
EDUtech 2026 reminded us that when Aboriginal voices are centred, education becomes richer for everyone. That is something worth continuing to build together.