In 1980, the Noonkanbah Station, the traditional lands of the Yungngora Community, was the scene of an intense political dispute when the state government of the day allowed the American exploration company Amex access to the sacred lands of Noonkanbah to drill for oil. 

Wanting to help the cause, former ANU students Brian Stacey and Marcia Langton decided to stage their own protest meeting at Albert Hall on Commonwealth Avenue. 

Not expecting a big turnout, Brian and Marcia couldn’t believe when over 3,000 people came to the meeting. 

“This was a really important moment for the University,” Brian reflected. 

Ever since that time, Brian has dedicated his career to advancing the rights and interests of Australia's Indigenous peoples, particularly to help return their land. 

Events & activities

TOMORROW Wednesday 31 May, 1-2pm 

Come along to a guided tour showcasing the work of Australian First Nations artists in the ANU HC Coombs Building. Celebrate the diverse and profound artistic expressions that encapsulate the cultural significance of Australia's First Nation communities. This tour will enable you to gain a deeper understanding, appreciation, and respect for the remarkable artistic traditions nurtured by these communities. 

Register for the guided tour of Australian First Nations art and culture

TOMORROW Wednesday 31 May, 6-8pm 

Join the Chancellor Julie Bishop and SBS political reporter Sara Tomevska in conversation tomorrow evening to discuss the education system in Australia and how we can reduce inequities. Julie and Sara will explore how continued support for professional development of teachers and education leaders can have long-lasting impacts that benefit the education system.  

This event is free for ANU staff. Use discount code ANUVIP at check out. Refreshments will be served.

Register for A spotlight on Education in Australia

Thursday 1 June, 7-9pm 

Ngarra-Burria are Dharug words meaning ‘to hear, to sing’. Initiated in 2017 by Indigenous composer Christopher Sainsbury, the Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers program exists to support and mentor emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander composers. The annual program is a platform for First Peoples musicians to develop their compositional skills and connect with the art music sector. It is also a shared learning experience, with Ensemble Offspring gaining a deeper understanding of First Nations peoples and culture. 

Register for Ngarra-Burria: Australian National University

Tuesday 6 June, 5.30-7pm 

How do we define and understand - and hence cultivate - wellbeing? In a newly published and first of its kind booked - Toward an Integrated Science of Wellbeing - co-editors and current and former ANU academics Elizabeth Rieger, Robert Costanza, Ida Kubiszewski, and Paul Dugdale have taken a whole system perspective to capture the full spectrum of approaches, interconnections and dimensions to wellbeing.  

Register for the launch of Toward an Integrated Science of Wellbeing

Tuesday 13 June, 6-7pm 

Former chief scientist Alan Finkel will be in conversation with Ken Baldwin on his new book Powering Up: Unleashing the Clean Energy Supply Chain, in which he shares his compelling insights and expertise and makes the case for Australia leading the way in the global transition to clean energy. 

Register for the Meet the Author with Alan Finkel 

Wednesday 14 – Friday 16 June, 9am-5pm 

The Australasian Leadership Computing Symposium 2023 (ALCS) is Australasia’s research supercomputing users’ forum, as well as a flagship promotion of High-Performance Computing and Data (HPCD) and artificial intelligence (AI), powered by national infrastructure at scale in Australasia. The symposium will bring together a multidisciplinary mix of scientists for collaborative, technical and network building sessions across three days. 

Register for ALCS 2023

Ticket sales close Sunday 4 June.

Thursday 22 June, 6-7.30pm 

As Australians prepare to vote on whether to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution, join ANU and UC to hear from one of the lead architects of the proposal. 

Professor Tom Calma AO, a Kungarakan Elder, a member of the Iwaidja people, 2023 Senior Australian of the Year and the Chancellor of the University of Canberra, will deliver the ANU Reconciliation Lecture for 2023.  

This year’s lecture is held in partnership with the University of Canberra.  

Register for the ANU Reconciliation Lecture 2023

Release of the 2022 ANU Sexual Misconduct Reports and Disclosures 

Content warning: The contents of this notice contain references to sexual assault, harassment and violence. If this content causes you distress or impacts your wellbeing, please contact staff support services via the Employee Assistance Program. 

Today, the University published its second annual report on Sexual Misconduct Reports and Disclosures. You can read the report on the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response webpage.

With the release of this report, the University continues to meet the requirements set out in the Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy (SVPS) which outlines the University’s long-term, evidence-based and strategic approach to effectively prevent and respond to sexual violence.  

ANU acknowledges and thanks the students in our community who have trusted us with their stories and have continually advocated for change. 

While we still have more work to do, it is important to acknowledge our staff and students who have done great work across campus to help keep our community safe. You can read more about the work that has been going on over the last 15 months on our Sexual Violence Prevention and Response webpage. 

If you need support, please contact staff support services via the Employee Assistance Program. 

Please direct any enquiries you may have about this announcement to Dr James Brann, Director of University Experience, at director.university.experience@anu.edu.au. 

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Launch of the Environmental Management Plan 

The University will launch the latest Environmental Management Plan (EMP) on World Environment Day this Monday 5 June.  

The Plan is named Dhaagun, which means earth and environment in Walgalu (Ngambri) and Wiradjuri language, and outlines the execution and University’s management approach to environmental sustainability. 

The Plan will set out to deliver on three significant initiatives and will be launched by the Vice-Chancellor and ACT Minister for Recycling and Waste Reduction Chris Steel.  

It is up to everyone to contribute towards a more sustainable campus so please show your support and join the launch.  

Refreshments will be provided using produce grown in the ANU Kitchen Garden.

Register to attend the launch

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ANU – Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin International Connections Grant

ANU and Humboldt University are partnering together to encourage staff to build connections between the institutions. The two universities are providing matching funding ($50,000 - €30,000). Up to $10,000 (€ 6,000) will be awarded to each successful joint application to be spent towards travelling and living expenses. Each institution can support up to five projects total. Suggested length of stay is 1-3 weeks.

Applications are now open to all full-time HUB staff and all full and part-time ANU staff across disciplines, and close on Wednesday 14 June 2023.

Proposals are to be submitted to: international.strategy@anu.edu.au (ANU) and britta.schumacher@hu-berlin.de (HUB).

For detailed information and instructions, please visit the ANU & The World sharepoint site.

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Student-led Accessibility Teaching Forum  

ANUSA and PARSA will host a student-led forum on Friday 16 June, designed specifically for ANU staff who are interested in hearing insights and learning practical strategies to support universal design in courses.  

Staff will have the opportunity to share their teaching experiences, and hear from a range of student perspectives and closing remarks by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Grady Venville.  

This student-led teaching forum including content and materials presented reflect the views of the presenters, ANUSA and PARSA, not ANU.  

Register to attend in-person 

Register to join online  

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Final travel information sessions 

The Senior Management Group (SMG) has endorsed the revised ANU Travel Policy and creation of a new Travel Handbook which contains all travel related procedures and useful information. 

A series of in-person and online information sessions are scheduled to inform staff of key changes. Final information sessions will be held online on Wednesday 31 May at 9.15am, Thursday 1 June at 12pm and Friday 2 June at 9.45am.

A recording of the online sessions will also be made available for viewing in the event you are unable to attend the scheduled sessions listed.  

For any enquiries, please contact travelsupport.dss@anu.edu.au.

2023 Academic Promotion Rounds 

The 2023 Academic Promotion round will open from Thursday 1 June to Monday 31 July 2023.  

The University’s academic promotion program recognises academic achievement, leadership and service through opportunities, development and career progression. Eligible academic staff are invited to apply. 

Apply for the 2023 Academic Promotion Rounds

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Carers' Career Development Assistance Fund (CCDAF) – Applications closing soon  

CCDAF provides financial support for academic and professional staff with caring responsibilities, enabling them to participate in significant national or international conferences, workshops or symposia that contribute to their careers. 

CCDAF applications for Round 2 2023 are closing soon on Friday 9 June at 5pm.  

Apply for CCDAF

Join the ANU Film Group in celebrating National Reconciliation Week 2023 and First Nations voices with a series of film screenings between 1-3 June at the Cinema in Kambri, ANU.  

Narrative features include The Survival of Kindness, the latest from acclaimed arthouse director Rolf de Heer, and We Are Still Here, a spellbinding anthology film featuring eight interwoven tales by Indigenous Australian and Maori filmmakers. Screening on the documentary side is Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, a beautiful concert film featuring the late Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, as well as the Canberra premiere of Countryman, a fascinating exploration of identity, followed by a Q&A with the film's director and subject. 

In case you missed it... 

Democracy Sausage: The Queen is dead with Stan Grant 

In a powerful conversation with Mark Kenny, he discussed writing his new book in just eight weeks following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the reaction to the ABC’s coverage of King Charles’ coronation. 

On this special episode of Democracy Sausage, he also shared his experiences growing up “on the other side of history”, racism and the media, and why he’s decided to take a step back from television. 

Listen to The Queen is dead with Stan Grant 

This episode was recorded as part of the ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author series.