Meet our conversationalists …

Polly (Maria) Cutmore is a Gamilaroi/Wiri/Anaiwan woman and Traditional Owner from Moree in northern New South Wales. Her Country includes the Mehi River, which flows through Moree and joins the Gwydir River and the wetlands system to the south.

A cultural advocate since the 1980s, Polly became a Native Title Applicant in 2016 and challenged gas developer Santos in court. She has contributed to the Commonwealth Aboriginal Water Buyback Program and numerous water governance groups and committees, advocating for First Nations leadership in water management and cultural governance.

Through the Mehi Centre, which she convenes in Moree, Polly recently led the landmark Growing Up on the Mehi gathering, bringing together Aboriginal women from across the northern Murray–Darling Basin to share stories, strengthen connections, and develop the Moree Statement—a collective call to government for stronger recognition of First Nations authority, Country and water rights.

Passionate about self-determination, cultural authority and the protection of living rivers, Polly continues to advocate nationally and internationally for climate action, Aboriginal water rights and meaningful First Nations participation in decision-making.

Sandra Woosup is a respected Angkamuthi woman, community leader, language keeper and advocate whose work is grounded in cultural strength, self-determination and creating opportunities for her people.

Sandra is the Chairperson of the Angkamuthi Tribal Aboriginal Corporation and serves as a Director of both the Ely Bauxite Mine Beneficiary Trust and the Apudthama Land Trust. Through these roles, she contributes to important decisions relating to Country, community governance, economic opportunities and the protection of cultural and community interests.

Sandra is also one of the language keepers within her community and is actively involved in ongoing language maintenance work to revive and strengthen a sleeping language. Her work supports the continuation of culture, knowledge and identity for current and future generations. She also serves on the committee of Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities, supporting culturally appropriate and community-led approaches to animal health and wellbeing.

Sandra is passionate about strengthening the voices of Aboriginal women and supporting women-led projects that build confidence, connection and lasting change. Through initiatives such as women-led yarning circles on Country, she creates spaces where women can reconnect with culture, strengthen relationships, share knowledge and support one another. Her leadership reflects the strength of women working together to care for Country, uphold culture and create a stronger future for the next generation.

Barbara Ibuai is a Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) climate advocate, Saibai Koedal woman, and founder of Climate Collective Zenadth Kes (CCZK) which is being built as a NFP NGO - a civil society response to climate adaptation in her region. Drawing on the cultural authority granted by Elders and her frontline experience, she began leading community driven climate resilience work in Zenadth Kes in April 2025.

A founding member of the Feminist Climate Collective (FeCC), along with Women's Climate Congress, CCZK works to advance climate leadership and Indigenous led solutions from her region. Beyond, CCZK's organisational reach already includes national campaigns such as She Powers in collaboration with 1 Million Women, and Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance with Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (and over 30 co-collaboraters), demanding accountability from major emitters.

Barbara’s work blends policy, culture, and storytelling. She continues to elevate First Nations Climate Leadership and Women’s Climate Leadership on national and global stages, including most recently at Women Deliver 2026, UN Working Group SB64 in Bonn Germany (2026) where a positioning discussion paper and cultural diplomacy brief were submitted; COP29 (Azerbaijan) and COP30 (Belem) appearing as guest panelist advocating and speaking about the importance of country and connection.

Barbara’s professional background blends diplomacy, security, and climate governance, giving her a strong foundation for frontline advocacy. Her previous professional career includings working in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, Australian Maritime Border Enforcement, an Australian-led Pacific Peace Monitoring in Bouganiville Papua New Guinea, and the Torres Strait Regional Authority.

Celeste Ackerly is a proud Trawlwoolway woman from lutruwita (Tasmania) whose work sits at the intersection of First Nations leadership, governance, conservation and systems change.

With a background spanning Indigenous engagement, environmental governance and community-led collaboration, Celeste has worked alongside Traditional Owners, Aboriginal organisations and communities across Australia to support culturally informed approaches to conservation, policy and leadership. Her work has focused on strengthening Indigenous governance, embedding cultural authority within organisations, and creating spaces where First Nations voices can shape decisions that affect Country and community.

Celeste has also facilitated women's leadership initiatives and collaborative yarning spaces, believing that meaningful change begins with listening, relationships and shared responsibility. She is currently undertaking postgraduate studies in Policy and Governance, with a particular interest in how First Nations knowledge, governance systems and community leadership can better inform public policy and environmental decision-making.

As facilitator, Celeste brings together her professional experience and deep commitment to creating respectful conversations that centre First Nations voices, lived experience and the enduring relationship between people and Country.

Janet Salisbury is the Founder and Program Lead of the Women's Climate Congress, a national movement bringing together women from across Australia to create courageous conversations and collaborative action on climate, democracy and the future we share. Through Women's Climate Congress, Janet has spent many years creating spaces where diverse voices can come together, build relationships and explore solutions grounded in respect, inclusion and hope.