QTIX

Bringing together thought leaders from academia, government, business, and the community to engage in robust discussions about multiculturalism in the Australian context, and facilitated by renowned writer and host Benjamin Law, this series explores issues of who and where we are as a nation and what we need to do to create a society that better reflects and cares for all its people. Changing the Conversation: Brave Conversations About Multiculturalism is the third of four events in this series to be held in 2023.

Benjamin Law writes books, TV screenplays, columns, essays and feature journalism. Most recently, Ben edited the collection of stories, Growing Up Queer in Australia and was also a researcher and associate producer on Blackfella Films’ Deep Water: The Real Story (SBS) and a writer on Endemol Shine’s Sisters (Ten). Recently he starred in the ABC’s two-part documentary series Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law, where he travels from China to Arnhem Land to explore the history, unpack the present, and look to the future of Australia’s relationship with China. Every week, Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show Stop Everything. He also co-hosts online startup and tech TV show That Startup Show, and you can catch him on TV shows like Q&A (ABC), The Drum (ABC), The Project (Ten) and Filthy Rich and Homeless (SBS).

Anisa Nandaula is a nationally recognised spoken word poet, play writer, educator, and published author. She is the 2016 Queensland Poetry slam champion, winner of the XYZ Innovation in Spoken Word Prize and has performed at the Sydney Opera house and Splendour in the Grass. She has shared her work on Channel 10, the ABC and has now set her sights on stand-up comedy.

Christine Castley is the Chief Executive Officer of Multicultural Australia. Prior to this, she was a Deputy Director-General in various Departments in the Queensland Government. Christine is a passionate advocate for equal access to justice and services for everyone regardless of their gender, beliefs, or circumstances, drawing on her lived experience as a first-generation migrant. Christine has recently been appointed as a member of an Expert Panel by the Australian Government to undertake a major review into multiculturalism in Australia.

Imam Uzair Akbar is a well-known respected scholar, dynamic speaker, and a prominent leader in the Muslim community of Australia. He has been the appointed Imam for over two decades in the century-old Holland Park mosque in Brisbane. He is currently the President of the Council of Imams Queensland (CIQ), member of the ANIC (Australian National Imams Council), Head of Shariah Advisory board with Amanah Islamic Finance Australia (AIFA), Director of Centre of Excellence (Australian Youth Welfare Trust), Director of ISHP Youth Club, and sits on the board of many other not-for-profits organizations.

Moale James is a community-led storyteller and creative producer. Born in Darwin on Larrakia Country, she has spent most of her life taking part in the many productions of Drum Drum, Sunameke, Weaving Cultural Stories and Gaba Musik, which led her to grassroots, community-arts projects. Her podcast, Our Women, Our Stories, brings together Australian First Nation and Pacific Islander women to explore the ways they engage with culture and its many facets in the everyday context.