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We invite you to attend the second Mason Conversation, featuring Ms Patricia Anderson AO and Professor Megan Davis in dialogue with Professor George Williams and audience members. Pat Anderson and Megan Davis shared the leadership of a unique and historic public law process in 2016-17: the deliberative Regional Dialogues and First Nations Constitutional Convention that culminated with the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The conversational nature of this event allows for unique insights into the people behind processes at the highest level of politics and government in Australia. Pat and Megan are two Aboriginal women from different generations and backgrounds, whose personal and professional experiences are not just remarkable in themselves but also illuminate important dimensions of contemporary Australian society.
The Mason Conversation is a series named in honour of Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM marking his outstanding generosity and contribution over decades to the University of New South Wales. As well as a distinguished career in the law, including as Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia (1987-95), Sir Anthony was the fifth Chancellor of the University of New South Wales between 1994 and 1999 and the inaugural Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law.
Professor George Williams AO, Dean of UNSW Law, will lead the conversation with Ms Anderson and Professor Davis before opening up to audience questions.
6.15pm for 6.30pm - Registration 6.30pm – 7.45pm - Mason Conversation 7.45pm – 9.00pm - Drinks and canapés
Pat Anderson AO
Pat Anderson grew up with her family in Parap camp in Darwin. After more than 50 years of working life spent mainly in Aboriginal health and education, Pat brought her leadership skills and personal commitment to the cause of constitutional and structural change by agreeing to co-chair the Referendum Council appointed by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in December 2015. She is the Chairperson of the Lowitja Institute and was recently presented with the 2018 NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award.
Megan Davis
Megan Davis was raised in Queensland by a mother with a love of literature and a zealous commitment to education. She has emerged as a national and international leader for Indigenous peoples, most recently as an elected member of the UN Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous peoples and a Referendum Council member. Megan is the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous at UNSW.
Photo credit: Alex Ellinghausen, Fairfax Media