Stream 1 Session #8: Diabetes in Indigenous communities

Tracks
Meeting Room 111 & 112
Friday, August 21, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Meeting Room 111 & 112 (Level 1)

Speaker

Agenda Item Image
Dr Matthew Hare
Senior Research Fellow
Menzies School of Health Research

Chairperson

Biography

Matt is an endocrinologist and clinician-researcher whose work focuses on understanding and addressing the intergenerational epidemic of diabetes and related conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This work is conducted in partnership with community members, people with lived experience and health services. Matt is Staff Specialist and Clinical Lead for Remote Services within the Endocrinology Department at Royal Darwin Hospital and Senior Research Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research. He currently serves as President of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and is heavily involved in guideline development and advocacy for people and communities affected by diabetes.
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Mr Chris Lee
Consumer
Mindirrima Cultural Solutions

Chairperson

Biography

Chris Lee is a First Nations cultural leader and passionate diabetes advocate. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2013, he worked across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media, justice, and community-controlled health and wellbeing for more than 40 years. He was engaged as the inaugural National Manager for Engagement and Education under the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and engagement strategy at a national Diabetes advocacy organisation. He chairs the University of Sydney T1Diabetes First Nations Governance Committee and recently spoke at the International Diabetes Stigma Conference in Jaipur, India, promoting trauma-safe, culturally grounded approaches to diabetes care.
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Mr Ray Kelly
Researcher
University of Melbourne

For the community, by the community - the success of the Too Deadly for Diabetes program

11:10 AM - 11:20 AM

Biography

Ray Kelly is a Gomeroi man, and researcher at the University of Melbourne. He is the founder of the 'Too Deadly for Diabetes' program and an author on the RACGP Preventive Health Guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, and 24-Hour Physical Activity Guidelines.
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Dr Matthew Hare
Senior Research Fellow
Menzies School of Health Research

Diabetes across the generations

11:20 AM - 11:30 AM

Biography

Matt is an endocrinologist and clinician-researcher whose work focuses on understanding and addressing the intergenerational epidemic of diabetes and related conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This work is conducted in partnership with community members, people with lived experience and health services. Matt is Staff Specialist and Clinical Lead for Remote Services within the Endocrinology Department at Royal Darwin Hospital and Senior Research Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research. He currently serves as President of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and is heavily involved in guideline development and advocacy for people and communities affected by diabetes.
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Ms Ruby McGill
Board Member
Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa

Navigating diabetes as a wahine Māori - Mātauranga, Hauora & Hapori (Knowledge, health and community)

11:30 AM - 11:40 AM

Biography

Ruby McGill (Te Atiawa) was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 14 years old and has become a staunch advocate for people living with diabetes in Aotearoa. She knows it's essential that people living with diabetes and their whānau (family) have equitable access to the tools, medicines, and support needed to live well. She openly shares her T1D journey online, the highs and the lows, and jumps at every opportunity to make life with diabetes a little easier for others, because it shouldn't be a luxury to live well with diabetes.
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Ms Faith March
National Coordinator Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Enagagement
Diabetes Australia

Touching on technology

11:40 AM - 11:50 AM

Biography

Faith is an Aboriginal woman from the Gamilaroi Nation and the National Coordinator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement at Diabetes Australia. Living with type 1 diabetes for over a decade, she works nationally to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are respected and embedded in health systems. Faith has contributed to national initiatives, including the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Forum focused on diabetes and its complications. She is committed to advancing health equity through culturally safe diabetes education and empowering younger generations to make informed, healthy choices.
All Speakers

Panel discussion and Q&A

11:50 AM - 12:30 PM

Biography

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