Return to Country - Program and Oration 2025

Led by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) at The University of Melbourne, the Return to Country Program empowers Indigenous staff and students to reconnect with community and share their journeys in STEM building meaningful pathways for future generations.

This week, Associate Professor Joe West, Associate Dean Indigenous for FEIT and Professor Chris Lawrence from Monash University, are returning to Noongar Country in Northam, Western Australia, in partnership with Monash University, Murdoch University and Deadly Coders.

Through school workshops, cultural engagement and storytelling, the initiative is expanding its impact with efforts underway to establish a national collaborative model across universities.

Tonight, the Return to Country Oration will be delivered by Professor Christopher Lawrence, Dean of Indigenous Engagement at Monash Information Technology (pictured far left).

Chris is a proud Wadjak-Ballardong man and a leading Aboriginal health and wellbeing researcher. He will be joined at the Oration by Yowong-Illam-Baluk and Natarrak-Baluk man, Associate Professor Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch who is Associate Dean (Indigenous) at Monash Engineering (pictured right).

Livestream the Return to Country Oration
Date: Wednesday 23 July 2025
Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm AEST
Location: Northam, WA + livestream
Register to learn more about this milestone in Indigenous-led STEM engagement here.