Gareth Baynam and Shailyn Isaac

Professor Baynam is actively involved in improving rare disease healthcare through strong collaboration with Aboriginal health leaders and communities. He currently serves as a Clinical Geneticist and is the Medical Director of the Rare Care Centre, overseeing its statewide clinical services. In addition, he holds the role of Clinical Genomics Policy Advisor for WA Health, founded the Undiagnosed Diseases Program in Western Australia, and chairs the Interdisciplinary Scientific Committee of the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium.

Shailyn Isaac (traditional names: Joondaab and Dinginah) is a proud Aboriginal woman with strong cultural ties to Bardi, Mayala and Mangala traditional groups in the Kimberley region. Originally from One Arm Point community, Shailyn is now a final year medical student at the University of Western Australia (UWA), supported through the UWA School of Indigenous Studies and the Centre of Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health. Her academic journey has included representing UWA at local and international Indigenous health forums, and receiving the 2018 CSIRO Indigenous Tertiary STEMM Award. Shailyn is passionate about improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people through culturally safe and holistic care and has aspirations to become a rural general practitioner.

Tremane Baxter-Edwards

Tremane Baxter-Edwards is a proud Ngarinyin and Walmajarri youth leader from Wyndham in the East Kimberley, WA, with a strong passion for tourism, community advocacy, and public policy.

Since 2021, he has worked as a Ranger at El Questro Wilderness Park and was featured in the WA Tourism & Hospitality Careers Guide. He has completed a Certificate III in Tourism at TAFE.

Tremane is dedicated to strengthening understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, having spoken at schools, government departments, and public forums across WA and in Canberra. His leadership has been recognised through the Abbey Forrest Emerging Leader Award in the East Kimberley and the Western Australian Indigenous Community Leadership Award at the WA Young Achiever Awards in Perth.

A former WA Youth Parliamentarian and Youth Deputy Leader of the Opposition representing both the Kimberley and Kalgoorlie, Tremane was also the first Aboriginal Captain of Justice, Peace & Advocacy at Aquinas College. He now serves on the Australian Government's First Nations Youth Advisory Group, providing advice to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).

He also advises Minister McCarthy through the First Nations Reference Group on the Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program and played a key role in advising the Secretary of the Department of Social Services—alongside Professor Tom Calma, the SA Commissioner for Children and Young People, and senior public servants—on the establishment of the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, now held by Commissioner Lil Gordon.

Tremane’s advocacy and leadership have reached national audiences through features in 7NEWS, Sky News, The West Australian, and the Australian Financial Review, where he continues to champion reconciliation, leadership, and positive change for future generations.

Michael “Sonny” Walters

The recently retired Fremantle Dockers star will be the opening keynote speaker at the Aboriginal Health Conference 2025!

This year’s theme, Writing the Narrative – Telling our stories, celebrates the power of storytelling, not just as a way to share experiences, but as a force for healing, advocacy and self-determination.

Few stories speak to that more than Sonny’s. From growing up in Midvale to a 200-game AFL legend, he’s lived a journey shaped by culture, resilience and purpose.

Don’t miss your chance to hear from Sonny as he shares his story and joins us for a live Q&A.