Elders strike deal with university for community-led research

Quandamooka Elders on North Stradbroke Island in Queensland have signed a landmark agreement with the University of Queensland’s Indigenous Futures Centre (IFC), giving the community leadership over research priorities while celebrating the opening of a new arts and culture hub.

The agreement was announced on the weekend at a ceremony attended by Elders, university leaders and community members. It establishes a framework for Indigenous-led research in areas including law, health, education and economic development.

Aunty Mary Burgess, chair of the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council, said the partnership recognised community expertise. “For too long, research has been done on us, not with us. This agreement changes that. It places our community at the centre,” she said.

The IFC, funded through a $35 million Australian Research Council grant, is based at the University of Queensland. The centre’s director, Professor Chelsea Bond, said the partnership set a national precedent.

“This is about co-design, respect and real-world impact. Quandamooka people will decide what matters for their future,” she said.

The initiative includes scholarships for local students, pathways into higher education and plans for a Centre of Quandamooka Research Excellence.

Coinciding with the agreement, the Quampi Arts and Culture Centre opened its doors in Dunwich as part of the Quandamooka Festival. The centre will host corroborees, art exhibitions and music performances, providing a permanent venue for cultural expression and tourism.

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney welcomed the developments, describing them as “a model for how communities and universities can work together to achieve outcomes that strengthen culture and build futures.”

Elders said the arts centre would ensure cultural knowledge was shared with the next generation. “This is a space where our young people can learn, and where visitors can understand the depth of our connection to Country,” Aunty Mary said.

The partnership also aligns with federal justice reinvestment initiatives on Minjerribah. The first stage of a Justice and Healing Strategy is underway, led by the community in collaboration with the Commonwealth.