In this powerful truth-telling session, Ann Hawke shares her personal and family story, including the lasting impacts of the Stolen Generations and how these experiences continue to shape Aboriginal families today. Speaking with honesty and generosity, Ann reflects on how lived experience has informed her leadership and her lifelong advocacy for Aboriginal children.
This is reconciliation in action — an invitation to listen deeply, understand the ongoing consequences of past policies, and recognise our shared responsibility to support Aboriginal children to grow up connected to family, culture and Country. Ann’s story challenges, informs and inspires, offering a path forward grounded in care, accountability and hope.
Speaker Profile – Ann Hawke
Ann Hawke is an Aboriginal leader, truth-teller and advocate for Aboriginal children and families, and the Chief Executive Officer of Kinship Connections Aboriginal Corporation. Her work is deeply informed by her own family’s experiences of the Stolen Generations and the ongoing impacts of child removal policies.
Through her leadership, Ann champions culturally strong, family-centred approaches to foster and kinship care, ensuring Aboriginal children remain connected to their identity, culture and community. She is committed to turning truth into action — advocating for systemic change while walking alongside families to create safer, stronger futures for the next generation.
