The 2025 ALIGN and CONNECT Symposium, held at the Adelaide Pavilion on Kaurna Country, brought together national leaders in Indigenous genomics, data sovereignty, and primary care innovation.
Highlights from AH&MRC’s Participation
Community-Led Genomics
Senior Member Engagement Officer, Folau Talbot shared insights from AH&MRC’s regional consultations, including in Broken Hill, Inverell, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Wyong, Illawarra, Nowra, Campbelltown, and Newcastle. These consultations allowed community members to learn about genomics, raise concerns about ethics, data governance, and cultural knowledge, and shape how precision medicine could be introduced in Aboriginal health care.
Vision for Genomics
At the closing panel, Senior Medical Advisor Kath Keenan joined national experts to discuss a meaningful and inclusive future for genomics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary care. She emphasised the vital role of primary care in building trust and enabling early diagnosis, and highlighted genomics as a transformative tool for precision medicine, rare disease detection, and improved health outcomes. Realising this potential will require sustained government investment to embed genomics into culturally safe, community-led care.
ALIGN Genomics Resources Workshop
Leading up to the Adelaide symposium a Genomics Resource workshop was held at AH&MRC Little Bay, with participation from Waminda (Nowra), Wagga Wagga, Broken Hill, and Tharawal (Campbelltown). The team is now developing three community-focused resources: an animation video, a poster, and a practical pamphlet to guide understanding step by step.
For those interested in current resources available:
- National Centre for Indigenous Genomics: Resources for community with culturally appropriate resources and information about genetics and genomics
- NSW Health genomic testing information page: suite of resources to support informed decision-making around genomic testing, co-designed with consumers, clinicians, and community groups
- PRECISE hub: education platform for primary care professionals
AH&MRC Regional Consultations
Planning is well underway for further visits to our member services and their communities with the team heading up Northern region in October and South and West in November.
Please reach out to FTalbot@ahmrc.org.au or publichealth@ahmrc.org.au if you would like to discuss a visit to your ACCHO and community.
Scholarship Opportunity
NSW Health are offering a fully funded opportunity to study the Master of Genetic Counselling at the University of Technology in Sydney in 2026: Find out more here.
