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New role will drive Indigenous success at Federation University

22 January 2025 · 2 min read
Federation University Australia has appointed proud Wotjobaluk woman Katrina Beer as its inaugural Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous.
Katrina Beer, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous

Federation University Australia has appointed proud Wotjobaluk woman Katrina Beer as its inaugural Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous.  

In the new position Ms Beer will drive Federation’s Indigenous strategies to achieve better outcomes and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in education, training, employment, and research, and promote a sustainable culture of inclusion, diversity and high cultural competency within the University. 

Over her career Ms Beer has built strong working relationships with government departments, industry and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and has over 20 years’ experience in the vocational and higher education sectors, working with Federation since 2017 most recently as Senior Manager of the University’s Aboriginal Education Centre.  

Previously she ran her own success business, Yanikan-Werritj Training and Employment, working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve their goals.  

In 2024 Ms Beer led Federation’s successful bid for the 2024 Wurreker Award for Innovative Koorie Learner Pathways award,and has also been recognised in Federation’s Vice-Chancellor’s Awards on numerous occasions.   

Ms Beer will work closely with the university’s extended leadership team, particularly Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Reconciliation, Professor Andrew Gunstone, who leads all reconciliation matters at the university, including the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice. 

The appointment of Ms Beer highlights the university’s strong commitment to reconciliation and is another step in Federation’s ongoing journey in supporting the national reconciliation movement and working collaboratively and inclusively to advance outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’. 
 
Quote attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley  

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Katrina Beer as Federation University’s inaugural Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous. Katrina is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, reconciliation and transformational change. Her appointment as ADVC, Indigenous will support Federation in continuing to build a sustainable culture of inclusivity, equity, diversity, collaboration and high cultural competency for First Nations’ people.” 

Quote attributable to Federation University Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous, Katrina Beer  

“I am proud and excited to be appointed as Federation University Australia’s first Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous. I am passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ and community advancement. This role will build on self-determination principles and embedding respectfully cultural ways of knowing, being and doing with a whole of university strategy response.” 

Quote attributable to Federation University Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reconciliation, Professor Andrew Gunstone  

“I am delighted that Katrina Beer has been appointed as Federation University’s inaugural Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous. Katrina and I have worked closely on a range of Indigenous and reconciliation matters over the past two years and I, along with the whole National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice team, are very much looking forward to continuing to work with her in her new transformational role.”