Indigenous Gala

Celebrating Kumai Karulbo 2026

More than 400 guests came together at Bond University on Friday 18 September for the Indigenous Gala, Kumai Karulbo, celebrating First Nations culture, storytelling and the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Raising funds for Indigenous scholarships, the evening brought together students, alumni, community members, donors, sponsors and supporters for a celebration of culture and connection.

A special evening

The evening opened with a Welcome to Country from Bond University Elder and Kombumerri Traditional Custodian Uncle John Graham, followed by a cultural performance from the Biren Cultural Group and reflections from acclaimed filmmaker, writer and actor Wayne Blair on storytelling, culture and creating pathways for future generations.

A highlight was the Student Yarn, where Bond students Deklyn Reid, Taleiah Hill, Noah Skippen and Morgan Sexton shared how scholarship support is enabling them to thrive academically, personally, and within their communities.

The program featured an extraordinary performance from First Nations soprano Nina Korbe, alongside Indigenous-inspired dining and live entertainment from The Jacks Band.

Transformational impact

Behind every scholarship is a student with ambitions for their future, and a community that will benefit from their knowledge, skills and contribution. At Kumai Karulbo, we heard from three recipients about what that support has made possible:

Dr Juliette Levinge

A Kombumerri woman, Bond alumna and Margaret Douglas Indigenous Medical Scholarship recipient, shares how receiving the scholarship enabled her to pursue a career in medicine and her commitment to giving back to her community.

Liam Wood

A current psychology student and Indigenous Scholarship recipient, shares how scholarship support is enabling him to study clinical psychology, while Bond’s Nyombil Centre has helped him reconnect with his culture and community.

Dr Tiffany Ayres-Munro

A proud Gamilaroi woman, Bond alumna and Indigenous Scholarship recipient, reflects on how scholarship support changed the trajectory of her life and enabled her to become a doctor. She shares her belief in the importance of greater Indigenous representation in healthcare, so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be treated with respect and in culturally appropriate ways.

Making a difference

Through our Live Auction, Silent Auction, Raffle proceeds, donations, sponsorships and ticket sales, this year’s Kumai Karulbo fundraising program has raised more than $300,000 for Indigenous scholarships.

With 59 First Nations students studying at Bond in 2026, this support is directly contributing to Bond’s commitment to provide at least eight Indigenous scholarships each year.

The impact extends well beyond a single Gala or a single cohort of students. Since 2010, the Indigenous Gala has raised more than $6 million for scholarships, grants and bursaries, helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students access opportunities through education.

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Kumai Karulbo 2026, and to our donors, sponsors, students, staff, artists, performers and community members whose generosity and contribution made the evening possible.

Bigger together, we are helping create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to thrive at Bond, build meaningful careers and make a difference in their communities.

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