University of Newcastle -led project wins almost $3m for First Nations dementia care

newy.com.au – An Indigenous-led research initiative led by the University of Newcastle has been awarded more than $2.8 million to develop culturally grounded ageing and dementia care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.

Deadly Dreaming will bring together the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Yakuway Indigenous Corporation, Hunter Primary Care and a respected Elders Advisory Group to address inequities in care through cultural reconnection, truth-telling and community-driven reform grounded on Country.

The funding has been awarded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia’s leading health and medical research funding body, in partnership with the Medical Research Future Fund. Government data shows dementia affects First Nations communities at a significantly higher rate, while systemic barriers continue to affect access to care.

Gamilaraay woman and University of Newcastle chief investigator Dr Jennifer Rumbel said the grant represented a long-awaited shift.

“Deadly Dreaming provides a unique approach which aims to address the significant health inequalities experienced by our Elders through a holistic focus on cultural and spiritual strengths, while utilising cutting edge imaging facilities,” she said.

“It is about restoring cultural authority to our Elders… Their stories, their wisdom, and their connection to Country are central to how we understand ageing and wellbeing through our relationship and connection to each other and Country.”

The project places Elders at the centre of the research process as cultural authorities and co-researchers, rather than passive participants. A key part of the work will be a series of On-Country gatherings across Awabakal, Worimi and Wonnarua Country, where Elders will share stories, reconnect with sacred places and guide intergenerational knowledge exchange.

“This work is incredibly important in keeping our stories and Elders strong and I feel very honoured to be part of the process,” Dr Rumbel said.

Anaiwan, Wonnarua and Kamilaroi man Malcolm Smith, a co-investigator from Yakuway Indigenous Corporation, said the work was being led by community knowledge and priorities.

“When cultural insight leads, we don’t just improve outcomes – we strengthen identity, connection and ensure our Elders’ knowledge is carried forward,” Mr Smith said.

Yakuway Indigenous Corporation is a Hunter-based not-for-profit community organisation focused on the mental, social, physical and emotional health and wellbeing of Indigenous people in the region. It will work with Hunter Primary Care, which has provided health and wellbeing services to the Newcastle and Hunter community for more than 30 years, to support the project’s yarning and Elder engagement activities.

Deadly Dreaming will also establish a community-owned digital “Yarnin Library” to preserve Elders’ stories and cultural teachings for future generations. The living archive is intended to support health promotion, intergenerational learning and cultural continuity.

The project will strengthen Indigenous research leadership at the University of Newcastle by supporting two Indigenous PhD candidates and creating pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Indigenous methodology and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

Hunter Medical Research Institute director and chief executive Professor Frances Kay said the initiative showed the value of bringing community knowledge and research together.

“Deadly Dreaming shows what is possible when cultural knowledge and scientific expertise walk together,” she said.

“By grounding dementia and ageing research in story and community leadership, we are helping build a future where care is not only clinically effective, but deeply respectful of the wisdom held by Elders.”

With strong cultural governance, the Deadly Dreaming team hopes the project can establish a scalable model for culturally grounded ageing and dementia care across Australia.