Meanjin Oration

The 2026 QUT Meanjin Oration, themed 'Pride for our People', was a landmark success, attracting a capacity audience and selling out QUT Gardens Theatre. Presented by the Carumba Institute, the event reinforced QUT's position as a leading institution for Indigenous intellectual engagement, dialogue and public scholarship in Southeast Queensland.

Headlined by a compelling in-conversation between Australian sporting icon Cathy Freeman AC and QUT's award-winning journalist, author and academic Dr Amy McQuire, the evening celebrated Indigenous excellence, leadership and cultural strength through reflection on Freeman's life, achievements and enduring legacy.

In 2025, we were honoured to welcome Dr Tony McAvoy SC, Australia’s first Indigenous Senior Counsel, as the Orator.

A distinguished QUT alumnus, McAvoy’s career spanned decades of leadership in native title, human rights, and constitutional reform. His address offered profound insights into the complex intersections of law, justice, and Indigenous sovereignty, reflecting a lifetime of advocacy and expertise.

Hosted by the Carumba Institute, the 2024 Meanjin Oration showcased the creative and intellectual work of QUT PhD candidate, Uncle Joe Geia through both concert and conversation. The showcase featured eight songs performed by Uncle Joe Geia - a renowned singer/songwriter, guitarist, yidaki player, and influential figure in the development of contemporary Indigenous music.

The 2023 Meanjin Oration featured prominent Indigenous leader Noel Pearson speaking about the Referendum on a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Noel is an Aboriginal activist, lawyer and academic, and founded the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership. He has been a driving force in the discourse on Indigenous rights in Australia for more than 30 years, and called the Voice debate the most important event in 250 years.