We are delighted to introduce the upcoming event in our Principal’s Event Series—a collection of thought-provoking conversations designed to inspire, challenge, and engage our community.
In celebration of National Reconciliation Week 2025, we have partnered with the Eddie Betts Foundation for a meaningful event inspired by this year’s theme: Bridging Now to Next.
🗓 Thursday 22 May | 7:00 PM
📍 Cripps Centre, Caulfield Campus
🎟 Free event – all welcome!
This special event will bring together students, staff, and the wider community to reflect on our reconciliation journey — acknowledging the past, engaging in the present, and inspiring action for the future. Through powerful storytelling, cultural connection, and shared learning led by Eddie Betts, attendees will be encouraged to think deeply about how we can all contribute to reconciliation in everyday life. In a time where conversations are more important than ever, this event aims to be a powerful reminder that reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility — and by walking together, we can Bridge Now to Next.
Our Panelists
Eddie Betts is a former Australian Rules footballer, accomplished author, speaker, producer and sports commentator, known for his contributions to Aboriginal communities and advocacy. Betts is considered one of the AFL’s greatest entertainers, earning numerous awards during his 17-year career, including three All-Australian jackets and four goal of the year awards.
Beyond football, he uses his platform to advocate for equality, reconciliation, and empowerment for Indigenous Australians. Notably, he founded the Eddie Betts Foundation, which empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth through sports and community programs, providing resources and opportunities that have positively impacted over 22 remote and regional communities across Australia.
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Lydia Williams is a renowned professional athlete, author and speaker. Williams was the first Aboriginal goalkeeper to represent Australia, playing in five FIFA Women’s World Cups, six AFC Women’s Asian Cup (including a gold and two silvers), and two Olympic Games in her 19-year career with the Matildas.
She has played international football at the highest level in the US, UK and Europe, and is currently playing for Melbourne Victory for the A League Women’s team. Twice named PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year, she has also been inducted into the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame.
Lydia is the author of two children’s books, “Saved!” and “Goal!”, which are about friendship, sport and teamwork, inspired. Off the field, she is a calm, easygoing person and on the field, she is a fierce and focused competitor, leaving a lasting legacy representing her culture on the world stage.
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Laura Thompson (Gunditjamara) is the co-founder and CEO of Clothing The Gap, an Aboriginal social enterprise and B-Corp organisation to unite Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through fashion and a cause.
Thompson and her co-founder Sarah Sheridan founded Clothing The Gap in 2018, which is now one of Australia’s largest Aboriginal-owned and operated clothing labels.
With a Masters in Public Health, Thompson has more than a decade in preventative health, including the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS).
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Jane Vadiveloo is the co-founder and CEO of Children’s Ground, focusing on prevention, early intervention and empowerment rather than crisis and deficit. Children’s Ground implements a system that recognises and privileges First Nations governance, solutions and systems of knowledge.
Vadiveloo has a Masters in Forensic Psychology, and began her career in the Victorian prison system before co-founding Caraniche, a forensic and psychology company.
Since then Jane has lived and worked in the NT for over 25 years working with First Nations people to pioneer and achieve systemic and long-term change that privileges First Nations knowledge and practices. In 2000, alongside the Arrernte Elders in Central Australia, she co-founded Akeyulerre. She is the founding CEO of Children’s Ground.
Jane has been a consultant for Virgin Unite, the Northern Territory and Federal Governments, and various Aboriginal organisations in the Northern Territory. In 2014 she was named one of the Westpac Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence.
