News and events
Step into the heart of our Centre's vibrant community where we celebrate a tapestry of annual events, from National Sorry Day to NAIDOC Week, weaving together moments of reflection, unity, and achievement.
We host a range of community events for staff and students.
Book Launch Event
3 June 2026
On Wednesday 3 June 2026, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies was proud to host the launch of Legacies of British Slavery in Australia and New Zealand in the Centre Foyer.
A heartfelt thank you to Aunty Dianne Ryder for opening the event with a Welcome to Country and grounding us in the importance of place, history and connection. We were honoured to hear from Professor Jane Lydon, Wesfarmers Chair of Australian History at the University of Western Australia, who is the Co-Editor of the book and shared insights that brough the book’s themes to life.
A sincere thank you to Associate Professor Dr Carol Dowling for her powerful and thought-provoking address, and to Dr Julie Dowling for sharing her reflections and inspiring words with attendees. The artwork on the book is 26 years old, painted by Dr. Julie Dowling. It was kindly on loan from the Cruthers Collection of Women’s Art at the Lawrence Wilson Gallery, UWA.
Events such as these create important spaces for conversation, learning and a deeper understanding of our shared histories. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special occasion.
The Centre’s 40th Anniversary Event
We celebrated the milestone of 40 years of the Centre Building 211 being built on Whajduk country.
Caption: John Curtin Distinguished Professor Kim Scott, Director of CAS Frederick Yasso, Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne ONZM, Uncle Kim Collard and Provost Professor Matthew Tonts at the CAS 40th Anniversary Event.
Discover Upcoming Events
NAIDOC Week Flag Raising Ceremony Monday 7 July 2025
The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy
Join us for our annual NAIDOC Week Flag Raising Ceremony to honour the history, achievements, and resilience of Australia’s First Nations peoples.
Experience the power of unity as we come together to recognise and respect the land, languages, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just beginning your journey of understanding, there’s something for everyone at our NAIDOC Week event.
Previous Events
Pre-Graduation Bunuru Ceremony 2024
We gathered for a special occasion steeped in both tradition and achievement, the Pre-Graduation Bunuru Ceremony 2024. Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the inspiration of our guest speakers, Aunty Freda Ogilvie and Dr. Carol Dowling, we came together to honour the journey of our graduates and pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of our land.
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024 . May your achievements be celebrated, your dreams realised, and your futures bright. And to all who are currently studying at CAS, may the spirit of the Bunuru Ceremony inspire us to walk in harmony with each other and with the land, today and always.
Latest News
- Isaiah Kamid graduated from a CAS enabling course to pursue a career in medicine and give back to his community.
- Nyungar artist Sandra Hill awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award 2023.
- Yamatji man Daniel Curran awarded Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year and has pursued a career in medicine
- New scholarship with Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders cultural knowledge and leadership in Western Australia’s planning system.
Older News
- Leading Indigenous businesswoman awarded Curtin Honorary Doctorate
Ms Amanda Healy, a Koori woman from the Wonnarua nation of the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales, a social entrepreneur and successful businesswoman who dedicated her career to improving employment opportunities for Indigenous peoples has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce by Curtin University. - Curtin University celebrates its inaugural Indigenous recipient of the New Colombo Plan Fellowship
An Aboriginal health sciences student has become Curtin University’s first Indigenous student to be named a prestigious New Colombo Plan Fellow.