Michael Chapman

Michael Chapman is a dual specialist in geriatric and palliative medicine based at a metropolitan hospital on Ngunnawal country in Canberra, Australia. Michael’s research focuses on issues of ageing, death and dying. He has a particular interest in dementia and cognitive impairment, in care ethics, and in exploring and supporting care systems. Michael has roles with multiple universities and academic journals and is the recipient of numerous project grants including from the Australian Medical Research Futures Fund.

Abdul Samad Haidari

Abdul Samad Haidari is a Hazara Afghan journalist, writer, poet, and human rights activist currently living in Aotearoa/New Zealand. His Hazara community has endured years of genocide in Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of family and Abdul’s being forced on numerous occasions to flee his homeland. He spent almost a decade as a refugee in Indonesia, where he channelled the emotions and experiences of his journey into his first book of poetry, The Red Ribbon (Gramedia 2019). Abdul Samad started writing as a life-giving form of resistance against injustice.

Read his story: https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350161097/finding-solace-and-empowerment-through-poetry. And listen to him here: https://www.3cr.org.au/sites/default/files/show/user357/The%20Unsent%20Condolences.mp3

Abdul was interviewed by Unity Books at his recent booklaunch: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=795482682609040&set=pcb.795499152607393

Aileen Crowe

Sister Aileen Crowe PhD spent almost 20 years teaching in rural Papua New Guinea. She gained an Honours degree in Studies of Religions and Oral History at UPNG. On her return while co-ordinating the Justice and Peace office for the Sydney Catholic Archdiocese she first encountered people in need of Australia’s protection.

Aileen is a panelist for the 2024 Rural Australians for Refugees conference taking place in Kyneton, Victoria, 11th - 13th October.

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Siobhan Reddel

Born in Melbourne, Siobhan was raised in regional Victoria, Canberra and Hong Kong.

She has worked in different parts of Australia and around the world, often in challenging circumstances, such as in conflict and post-disaster zones, or amongst the marginalised.

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William De Maria

Bill De Maria had a controversial thirty three year career in the Department of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Queensland. He has also been a tireless social activist and was responsible for establishing the Brisbane Welfare Rights Centre and the Queensland Whistleblowers’ Action Group.

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Channa Wickremesekera

Born in 1967 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Channa Wickremesekera attended Royal College Colombo and then Monash University in Melbourne, where he obtained his Ph.D. in South Asian History in 1998. Although he began writing fiction early in life, he placed this passion on hold while at university.

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