Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group - UNSW

01/10/2026

🏉 The Knockout is back this weekend on Worimi Country!

Ahead of this year's Knockout, we're sharing a new three-part video series with five of the people who were there at the beginning.

The NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout began in Sydney in 1971, founded by Bob Smith, Bob Morgan, Bill Kennedy, Dan Rose, Victor Wright and the late George Jackson. What began with seven teams at Camdenville Oval grew into the largest Indigenous sporting event in the country and an important gathering place for Aboriginal families and communities across NSW.

Professor Heidi Norman, who has researched the history of the Knockout for more than 20 years, interviewed Bob Smith, Vic Wright, Bob Morgan, Bill Kennedy and Dan Rose in 2022 to mark its 50th anniversary.

We've now produced those conversations as a three-part series so you can hear the history of the Knockout from its founders themselves.

As Bob Morgan said, the Knockout was never simply about football — it was about family, community and bringing people together.

Safe travels to everyone heading to the Knockout this weekend! 🖤💛❤️🏉

🎥 Watch the series:
https://buff.ly/tkwxEi9
📖 You can also revisit Heidi's history of the Knockout, From a meeting in Redfern to the largest Aboriginal sporting event in the country: https://buff.ly/cvAEADI

The following 3 - part series is a group interview with the founders of the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout (Koori Knockout). The interview is with Bob ...

30/09/2026

ILJ, together with Nura Gili: Centre for Indigenous Programs at UNSW and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures (CIEHF), organised the First Nations Research Showcase as part of UNSW Diversity Festival.

Across six presentations, researchers shared work spanning Aboriginal land and renewable energy, tracing ancestors through the archives, hip hop and culturally responsive pedagogy, Aboriginal history and the Great Australian Unknowing, learning from Country and co-designed research, and counter-mapping in Indigenous Studies.

An unexpected venue closure meant the showcase had to move online at very short notice. We are grateful to our presenters and attendees for their flexibility and for helping us make the transition work.

Fortunately, we were still able to come together for lunch on campus afterwards - a welcome opportunity to meet new faces, catch up with colleagues and continue conversations from the showcase in person.

Thank you to our presenters Mohsen Kalantari, Jonah Bedford, Nick Pitt, Clare Woolley, Grant Leigh Saunders, Heidi Norman, Anne Maree Payne, Leah Lui-Chivizhe, Katrina Thorpe and Johanna Perheentupa, our MC, Brett Biles and event organisers Therese Apolonio & Nghaeria Roberts and to everyone who joined us for the showcase.

30/09/2026

The Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group was pleased to join Chalk & Behrendt at Bangarra Dance Theatre recently to celebrate 30 years of the firm's work in Aboriginal land rights, native title, cultural heritage law and economic development.

Over three decades, Chalk & Behrendt has represented Aboriginal communities and organisations in significant land rights and native title matters across Australia, including land claims and appeals under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.

ILJ has also been fortunate to work with Chalk & Behrendt Managing Director Jason Behrendt, who contributed to our recent book Land Back: Aboriginal land rights in New South Wales, today and always, edited by Heidi Norman

Jason's chapter, “The land claim process under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act,” examines how the NSW land claim process has operated and changed since 1983, its limitations, and its effectiveness in delivering land justice to Aboriginal people.

The chapter highlights the continuing significance of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act as Australia's only ongoing statutory land claims process, while examining the political will and resourcing required for the Act to realise its potential.

Congratulations to Jason, Andrew and the Chalk & Behrendt team on this significant milestone.

📖 Read more about Land Back: https://buff.ly/AaCDbw1

24/09/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the UNSW First Nations Research Showcase will now be held entirely online.

Join us tomorrow, Friday 25 September, for six short presentations highlighting First Nations research, community partnerships, archival histories, learning from Country, renewable energy and culturally responsive teaching.

The program features researchers from CIEHF, the Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group and Nura Gili, including Leah Lui-Chivizhe, Clare Woolley, Nicholas Pitt, Heidi Norman, Anne Maree Payne, Grant Leigh Saunders, Katrina Thorpe, Johanna Perheentupa, Jonah Bedford and Mohsen Kalantari.

Presentations begin at 11:00 am AEST.

Join via Microsoft Teams:
https://buff.ly/EoaWGGJ

Free and open to all.



UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group - UNSW UNSW Engineering UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture Gujaga Foundation ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous & Environmental Histories & Futures Nura Gili

21/09/2026

Aboriginal land rights in Australia are neither national nor uniform.

In their chapter Aboriginal Land Rights in Australia, Francis Markham and Heidi Norman trace more than 60 years of Aboriginal land restitution across Australia.

While Indigenous peoples now have recognised interests across more than half of the Australian continent when non-exclusive native title is included, the national story is highly uneven. Different laws and political histories have produced major differences between jurisdictions in how much land has been returned and the rights that come with it.

That history has particular relevance in NSW today.

Only around 0.2% of NSW has been returned to Aboriginal ownership, while more than 44,000 Aboriginal land claims remain unresolved.

Last week, NSW Parliament passed changes to Crown land legislation. has opposed the changes, particularly the retrospective validation of certain Crown land dealings and the potential implications for unresolved Aboriginal land claims.

The chapter provides useful context for understanding why the current NSW debate is also part of a much bigger national story: a patchwork of land rights regimes shaped over decades by Aboriginal activism, governments, legislation and the courts.

📖 Read Chapter by Francis Markham and Heidi Norman here: https://buff.ly/CSekRUl
For more on Crown Land Management Ammendment Act and NSW Aborignal Land Council opposition: https://buff.ly/bGti5f5

Land Rights Now - September 2025

11/09/2026

🏛️ Museums and repatriations: returning ancestors

What does it mean to return Ancestors who have been held in museum collections for more than a century?

Join Dr Leah Lui-Chivizhe from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture and Melissa Malu from the Australian Museum as they consider the contemporary issues surrounding the repatriation of Ancestral remains and the work being undertaken with descendant communities to find culturally safe ways for return.

🎤 Why Ancestors can’t stay in Museums — Dr Leah Lui-Chivizhe
🎤 Engaging with care, the returning of Ancestral remains — Melissa Malu

📅 Monday 21 September
🕔 5–6pm
📍 Chau Chak Wing Museum, Nelson Meers Foundation Auditorium
🎟️ $5 | Free for CCWM members, concessions and students

Register here: https://buff.ly/PSeEgzm

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28/08/2026

🎉 We're excited to be part of UNSW Diversity Festival 2026!

Join us for the UNSW First Nations Research Showcase, bringing together innovative First Nations-led research being undertaken across UNSW and with community partners.

The showcase will feature six lightning presentations from researchers connected with Nura Gili: Centre for Indigenous Programs, the Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group, and the UNSW Node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous & Environmental Histories & Futures.

Hear about the questions researchers are exploring, the methods and partnerships shaping their work, and research grounded in First Nations knowledge, priorities, community leadership and relationships with Country.

📅 Friday 25 September
⏰ 10:45am–12pm, followed by lunch
📍 Tyree Room, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW Kensington

🎟️ Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/unsw-first-nations-research-showcase-tickets-1997113725915

📋 Detailed program coming soon!



UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture UNSW Engineering Gujaga Foundation

03/08/2026

Join us for the next Aboriginal Political History Seminar!

We're delighted to welcome Dr Naomi Parry Duncan, Senior Research Officer with the Indigenous Land and Justice Research Group, to discuss her new book:

Musquito: The Real Story of a Legendary Colonial Warrior (Allen & Unwin, 2026).

After more than 20 years of research, Naomi uncovers the remarkable story of Musquito—one of the best-known First Nations resistance fighters of the early colonies—and reflects on how her own convict family history unexpectedly became entwined with his.

The seminar explores the writing of Aboriginal history and what Musquito's life reveals about conflict, resistance and Aboriginal resilience in colonial Australia.

📅 Tuesday 18 August 2026
🕧 12:30–2:00 pm
📍 Hybrid – UNSW Sydney or online

Registrations are essential: https://buff.ly/efvzSGb

Please contact [email protected] if you plan to attend in person.

03/08/2026

📢 Calling renewable energy professionals ⚡

UNSW is conducting research on the Australian energy industry’s capacity to deliver First Nations outcomes through the energy transition (iRECS11510).

👷‍♀️👷‍♂️ If you work in renewable energy project development, community engagement, construction, finance, or related fields across all levels of seniority, we invite you to participate in a short survey.

🔗 Survey link: https://unsw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_82E3YooGKIKyvGK

⏱️ 15 minute survey + option for EOI for follow-up interview

📣 We encourage everyone to share this invitation with others in your organisation or professional networks who may have relevant experience and may wish to participate.

🎁 Each participant who completes the survey will go into the running to win a $500 digital gift card as a token of our appreciation for your contribution to this research.

📈 Findings will inform practical recommendations for industry, policy and capacity development.

📧 For any questions contact project lead: Anna Cain

E: [email protected]
P: 02 9348 8192



Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Clean Energy Council RE-Alliance NSW Aboriginal Land Council NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water The Climate Council Climate-KIC UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering Australian Renewable Energy Agency Original Power Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity

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30/07/2026

This week, Australia's Full Federal Court will hear the appeal brought by Torres Strait Islander Elders Uncle Pabai Pabai and Uncle Paul Kabai.

Their case asks whether governments have a legal responsibility to protect Torres Strait Islander peoples from climate harms that threaten their homes, Country and culture.

The appeal follows an earlier Federal Court decision that recognised the particular vulnerability of the Torres Strait to climate change but found the Australian Government did not owe a duty of care under negligence law.

The outcome of the appeal could have important implications for the relationship between climate change, Indigenous rights and the protection of cultural heritage in Australia.

Read more: https://theconversation.com/has-the-government-failed-to-protect-torres-strait-culture-from-rising-seas-the-full-federal-court-is-about-to-decide-287687?fbclid=IwY2xjawTXki9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMW9GaDF1N0pENEJBU213UEpzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeVCpEQP5nZCypZdanMRwk2vNXGrAV7pH6TuoihvZNuOm7-ZQtYw83th_TlQI_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Rising seas threaten low-lying islands in the Torres Strait. Does the government have a duty of care?