Professor Kerry Arabena

A descendant of the Meriam people of the Torres Strait, Professor Kerry Arabena has a Doctorate in Human Ecology and an extensive background in public health, administration, community development and research.

Her work has made significant contributions across many states and territories in areas such as gender issues, social justice, human rights, access and equity, service provision, harm minimisation, and citizenship rights and responsibilities. In January 2013, Kerry was appointed Chair for Indigenous Health and Professor and Director, Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, University of Melbourne in January 2013, and was previously Professor and Director of Indigenous Health Research in the School for Indigenous Health, Monash University.

She was inaugural Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, a national Indigenous representative body established in 2010.