The Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (SMAH) at the University of Wollongong values diversity and aims to be an equitable, diverse, and inclusive place to work and study. We embrace the University of Wollongong's commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that our continued excellence in research and education can only be achieved by attracting and retaining a diverse blend of staff and students.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the University of Wollongong is situated and to Indigenous staff and students who study and work among us. We pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past and present, who are the knowledge holders and teachers. We acknowledge their continued spiritual and cultural connection to Country. As we share knowledge, teaching, learning and research within this Faculty we also pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country.
We strive to be welcoming and supportive of all staff and students regardless of gender and sexual identity, ethnic and cultural background, disability, age, family/carer responsibilities, economic background, political affiliation, and religious belief. This commitment extends to all Faculty members: academic staff, professional staff, students and visitors.
We commit to an ongoing culture of improvement, applying best practice, measuring and reflecting on our progress, active pursuit of internal feedback, and promotion of these values within our Schools, Faculty, and University.
Working with staff and students from across the Faculty, the SMAH Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee will develop initiatives to support these principles. Details will be added to this page as initiatives are developed and implemented.
Our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy
The SMAH Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy defines our vision for what we want SMAH to be and the goals we need to accomplish to achieve this vision. The five overarching strategic goals will guide our actions, helping us to prioritise activities and ensure our actions lead to meaningful and agreed-upon outcomes across the Faculty.
Read the Strategy (PDF)
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Resources
- Cultural & Religious Work-Restricted Holiday Dates
- Inclusive environments
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culturally Significant Days and Dates of Historical Importance
- Multicultural and religious dates of significance
- Faculty of Science Medicine and Health Pride Network
For more information about the significance of each date, as well as any planned UOW events, please visit the UOW Inclusion Calendar.
Cultural & Religious Work-Restricted Holiday Dates: Avoid Major Meetings, Events, & Deadlines
| Event | Culture/Religion | Annual Date | 2023 Date | Notes |
| Christmas (Eastern Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox Christian | 7 Jan | 7 Jan | |
| Chinese New Year | Chinese heritage | Varies | 22 Jan | |
| Pesach/Passover (day 1) | Jewish | Varies | 5-6 Apr | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
| Easter | Christian | Varies | 9 Apr | Official public holiday |
| Easter (Eastern Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox Christian | Varies | 16 Apr | Sunday |
| Eid al-Fitr | Islamic | Varies | 21-22 Apr | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
| Shavuot (day 1) | Jewish | Varies | 25-26 May | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
| Eid al-Adha | Islamic | Varies | 28-29 Jun | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
| Rosh Hashana | Jewish | Varies | 15-16 Sep | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
| Yom Kippur | Jewish | Varies | 24-25 Sep | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
| Sukkot (day 1) | Jewish | Varies | 29-30 Sep | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
| Shmini Atzeret | Jewish | Varies | 6-7 Oct | Begins at sundown of first listed date |
| Diwali | Hindu, Sikh, Jain | Varies | 12 Nov | |
| Christmas | Christian | 25 Dec | 25 Dec | Official public holiday |
NOTE: This list is not exhaustive, and certainly doesn't highlight every important holiday for every faith!
It is intended to list the dates that observers of a given faith are likely to be away from work for religious/cultural reasons. These are dates when we should avoid scheduling major meetings, events, and deadlines to be inclusive. Other dates may also be important (and may affect staff/students, e.g. because they are fasting, have dietary restrictions, etc.) so it is always best to check with your team members to understand their needs.
Original Sources:
- Best Practices for Inclusive Meetings guidelines (PDF)
- List of UOW Meeting Rooms (PDF) (choose Category 4 for hybrid meetings and events)
- Tips for Inclusive Teaching Environments (PDF)
- Guide for Inclusive Collection of Personal Data (PDF)
- Disability Resources
For more information about the significance of each date, as well as any planned UOW events, please visit the UOW Inclusion Calendar.
January
- 26 January: Survival Day (anniversary of official Colonisation - 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Botany Bay)
- 26 January: anniversary of the 1938 Day of Mourning
- 26 January: anniversary of establishment of the Tent Embassy in 1972
February
- 12 - 26 February: anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride
- 13 February: anniversary of the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations
March
- 20 – 26 March: Harmony Week
- 16 March: National Close the Gap Day
April
- 5 April: anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report (1997)
- 25 April: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans’ Diggers March (ANZAC day)
May
- 21 May: anniversary of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1962 (amended to full voting rights in 1984)
- 26 May: National Sorry Day
- 26 May: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen and Servicewomen Commemoration Service
- 26 May: anniversary of the Uluru Statement (2017)
- 27 May: anniversary of the 1967 Referendum
- 27 May - 03 June: National Reconciliation Week | #NRW2023 Be a Voice for Generations
- 28 May: anniversary of the Walk for Reconciliation across Sydney Harbour Bridge (2000)
June
- 03 June: Mabo Day (anniversary of 'Mabo and others v Queensland (No 2) (1992)')
- 10 June: anniversary of 1838 Myall Creek massacre (first judicial convictions of British Subjects)
- 26 June – 30 June: 2023 Indigenous Nationals, sports competition
July
- 02 July – 09 July: National NAIDOC Week | #NAIDOC2023 For Our Elders
- 14 July: Aboriginal Flag recognised in 1995 as official flag of Australia - Flags Act 1953
- 14 July: Torres Strait Islander Flag recognised in 1995 as official flag of Australia - Flags Act 1953
August
- 4 August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
- 9 August: UN International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
- 22 August: Captain Cook declared Australia 'terra nullius' in 1770
- 22 August: Captain Cook claimed East Coast of Australia for Britain in 1770
September
- 01 September: anniversary of 1794 Hawkesbury River massacre (first acknowledged killing of Indigenous Peoples)
- 7 September: National Indigenous Literacy Day
- 13 September: anniversary of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007)
October
- 02 October: 2023 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout
November
- 11 November: 2023 Giiyong Festival
December
- 10 December: anniversary of the Redfern Speech (1992)
- 10 December: UN International Human Rights Day
For more information about the significance of each date, as well as any planned UOW events, please visit the UOW Inclusion Calendar.
Multicultural and religious dates of significance by observer communities
|
2023 Date |
Event |
Observers |
Annual Date |
Scheduling Considerations |
|
01 January |
New Years’ Day |
Gregorian Calendar |
01 January |
|
|
01 January |
Feast of St Basil |
Eastern Orthodox Christian |
01 January |
|
|
02 January |
Feast of St Basil |
Roman Catholic Christian |
02 January |
|
|
05 January |
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti (Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh) |
Sikh |
varies |
|
|
06 January |
Epiphany |
Western Christians |
06 January |
|
|
06 January |
Armenian Christmas |
Armenian Apostolic Christian |
06 January |
|
|
07 January |
Orthodox Christmas |
Eastern & Oriental Orthodox Christians |
07 January |
|
|
07 January |
Evangelical Christmas |
Ethiopian & Eritrean Evangelical Christians |
07 January |
|
|
15 January – 18 January |
Thai Pongal (Harvest Festival) |
Tamil Hindu |
varies, four days |
|
|
19 January |
Orthodox Epiphany |
Eastern & Oriental Orthodox Christians |
19 January |
|
|
21 January – 23 January |
Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) |
South Korea & Korean diaspora |
varies, three days |
|
|
22 January |
Lunar New Year |
East Asia & East Asian diaspora |
varies |
|
|
22 January – 31 January |
Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) |
Vietnam & Vietnamese diaspora |
varies, ten days |
|
|
22 January – 5 February |
Chinese Lunar New Year |
China & Chinese diaspora |
varies, fifteen days |
|
|
25 January |
Burns’ Night |
Scotland & Scottish diaspora |
25 January |
|
|
26 January |
Australia Day |
Australia & Australian diaspora |
26 January |
The official selection of this date is controversial. Although the national celebration is to honour the contributions of all Australians, |
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the date itself is the anniversary of forced colonialisation. |
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26 January |
Survival Day |
Australian First Nations Peoples & Allies |
26 January |
anniversary of official Colonisation - 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Botany Bay |
|
15 February |
Parinirvana (Attainment Day) |
Mahayana Buddhist |
15 February |
|
|
21 February |
Shrove Tuesday |
Western Christians |
varies |
|
|
21 February – 23 February |
Losar (Tibetan Lunisolar New Year) |
Tibet & Tibetan Buddhist |
varies, three days |
|
|
22 February |
Ash Wednesday |
Western Christians |
varies |
|
|
01 March |
St David’s Day |
Wales & Welsh diaspora |
01 March |
|
|
06 March |
Makha Bucha (Gratitude Day) |
Theravada Buddhist |
varies |
|
|
06 March – 07 March |
Purim (Feast of Lots) |
Jewish |
varies, two days |
fast sunrise to sundown on first day |
|
08 March |
Holi (Festival of Colours) |
Hindu |
varies |
|
|
17 March |
St Patrick’s Day |
Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland & Irish diaspora |
17 March |
|
|
21 March |
Norouz (Persian Solar New Year) |
Iran & Persian diaspora |
varies |
|
|
22 March – 20 April |
Ramadan (Holy Month) |
Muslim |
varies, one month |
fast sunrise to sundown |
|
01 April |
Kha b-Nisan (Assyrian & Chaldean New Year) |
Assyrian diaspora & Chaldean diaspora |
01 April |
|
|
02 April |
Palm Sunday |
Western Christians |
varies |
|
|
05 April – 13 April |
Pesach (Passover) |
Jewish |
varies, nine days |
restricted work at the beginning and end of the celebration |
|
06 April |
Hanuman Jayanti (Birthday of Lord Hanuman) |
Hindu |
varies |
|
|
06 April – 08 April |
Theravadan New Year |
Theravada Buddhist |
varies, three days |
|
|
06 April |
Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) |
Western Christians |
varies |
|
|
07 April – 10 April |
Easter |
Western Christians |
varies, four days |
|
|
08 April |
Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival) |
Japan & Japanese diaspora |
varies |
|
|
13 April – 16 April |
Choul Chnam Thmey (Khmer Solar New Year) |
Cambodia & Khmer diaspora |
varies, four days |
|
|
13 April – 16 April |
Thingyan (Burmese Lunar New Year) |
Myanmar & Burmese diaspora) |
varies, four days |
|
|
13 April – 17 April |
Songkran (Thai Lunar New Year) |
Thailand & Thai diaspora |
varies, five days |
|
|
14 April |
Avurudu (Solar New Year) |
Sri Lanka & Sinhalese diaspora |
varies |
|
|
14 April |
Navavarsha (Nepalese Solar New Year) |
Nepal & Nepalese diaspora |
varies |
|
|
14 April |
Puthandu (Solar New Year) |
Sri Lanka & Tamil diaspora |
varies |
|
|
14 April |
Vaisakhi (Harvest Festival) |
Sikh |
varies |
|
|
14 April – 16 April |
Pii Mai (Lao Lunar New Year) |
Laos & Lao diaspora) |
varies, three days |
|
|
15 April |
Pohela Boishakh (Bengali Solar New Year) |
Bengali Hindu, Bangladesh & Bangladeshi diaspora |
varies |
|
|
20 April – 02 May |
Ridvan (Great Month) |
Baha’i |
varies, thirteen days |
suspended work on the first, ninth & twelfth days |
|
21 April – 22 April |
Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan Fasting) |
Muslim |
varies, two days |
|
|
23 May |
Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib) |
Sikh |
varies |
|
|
23 April |
St George’s Day |
England, English diaspora & Anglican Christian |
23 April |
|
|
25 April |
ANZAC Day |
Australia, Australian diaspora, New Zealand & New Zealand diaspora |
25 April |
|
|
29 April |
Hung Vuong (Hung Kings Festival) |
Vietnam & Vietnamese diaspora |
varies |
|
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18 May |
Ascension of Christ |
Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Moravian & Methodist Christians |
varies |
|
|
20 May |
Dehwa Daymaneh (Birthday of John the Baptist) |
Mandaean diaspora |
varies |
|
|
24 May – 25 May |
Declaration of Bab |
Baha’i |
varies, two days |
|
|
25 May – 27 May |
Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) |
Jewish |
varies, three days |
suspended work during celebration |
|
26 May – 02 June |
Vesak (Buddha Day) |
Buddhist |
varies, eight days |
|
|
27 May – 03 June |
National Reconciliation Week |
Australia |
27 may – 03 June |
reflection, celebration & discussion to build on respectful relationships between Australian First Nations Peoples and other Australians |
|
28 May |
Pentecost |
Christian |
varies |
|
|
28 May – 29 May |
Ascension of Baha’u’llah |
Baha’i |
varies, two days |
suspended work during celebration |
|
01 June |
Orthodox Ascension of Christ |
Eastern & Oriental Orthodox Christians |
varies |
|
|
26 June – 01 July |
Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) |
Muslim |
varies, six days |
|
|
28 June – 02 July |
Eid al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) |
Muslim |
varies, five days |
|
|
01 July |
Coming of the Light Festival |
Torres Strait Islanders |
01 July |
|
|
03 July |
Asalha Puja (Commemoration of First Sermon) |
Theravada Buddhist |
varies |
|
|
03 July – 09 July |
NAIDOC Week |
Australia |
03 July – 09 July |
celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture & achievements |
|
11 July – 13 July |
Naadam (Festival of Mongolian Tradition) |
Mongolia & Mongolian diaspora |
11 July – 13 July |
|
|
14 July |
Matariki (Maori Lunar New Year) |
New Zealand & Maori diaspora |
varies |
|
|
19 July |
Al Hijri (Islamic Lunar New Year) |
Muslim |
varies |
|
|
27 July – 28 July |
Ashura (Day of Commemoration) |
Sunni Muslim & Shia Muslim |
varies, two days |
|
|
15 August |
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox & Oriental Orthodox Christians |
varies |
|
|
20 August – 31 August |
Onam (Kerala State Harvest Festival) |
Kerala India & Kerala diaspora |
varies, twelve days |
|
|
25 August |
Australian South Sea Islanders National Day of Recognition |
Australian South Sea Islanders |
25 August |
|
|
30 August |
Raksha Bandhan (Bond of Protection) |
Hindu |
varies |
|
|
07 September |
Krishna Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna) |
Hindu |
varies |
|
|
12 September |
Enkutatash (Ethiopian/Eritrean New Year) |
Ethiopia, Ethiopian diaspora, Eritrea & Eritrea diaspora |
varies |
|
|
12 September |
Nayrouz (Coptic New Year) |
Coptic Orthodox Christian |
varies |
|
|
15 September – 17 September |
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) |
Jewish |
varies, three days |
suspended work during celebration |
|
24 September – 25 September |
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) |
Jewish |
varies, two days |
fast & suspended work sundown to sundown |
|
26 September – 27 September |
Mawlid Al-Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad) |
Muslim |
varies, two days |
|
|
28 September – 30 September |
Chuseok (Korean Mid-Autumn Festival) |
South Korea & Korean diaspora |
varies, three days |
|
|
29 September |
Tsukimi (Japanese Mid-Autumn Festival) |
Japan & Japanese diaspora |
varies |
|
|
02 October |
Gandhi Jayanti (Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi) |
India & Indian diaspora |
02 October |
|
|
07 October - 08 October |
Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Torah) |
Jewish |
varies |
suspended work during celebration |
|
15 October – 24 October |
Navaratri (Victory of Good over Evil) |
Hindu |
varies |
|
|
01 November |
All Saints Day |
Western Christians |
01 November |
|
|
11 November |
Remembrance Day |
Commonwealth Member Countries |
11 November |
|
|
12 November |
Bandi Chhor Diwas (Celebration of Freedom) |
Sikh |
varies |
|
|
12 November |
Diwali (Festival of Lights) |
Hindu, Jain, Sikh |
varies |
|
|
15 November |
Bhai Dooj (Blessing of Protection) |
Hindu |
varies |
some Hindu denominations fast on this day |
|
27 November |
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti (Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib) |
Sikh |
varies |
|
|
27 November – 28 November |
Ascension of Abdu’l Baha |
Baha’i |
27 November – 28 November |
|
|
28 November |
Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights) |
Thailand & Thai diaspora |
varies |
|
|
30 November |
St Andrew’s Day |
Scotland, Scottish diaspora & Western Christians |
30 November |
|
|
03 December |
First Sunday of Advent |
Western Christians |
varies |
|
|
07 December – 15 December |
Chanukah (Festival of Lights) |
Jewish |
varies |
|
|
08 December |
Bodhi Day |
Buddhist |
varies |
|
|
13 December |
Andermas (Feast of St Andrew) |
Eastern Orthodox Christians |
13 December |
|
|
17 December |
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib) |
Sikh |
varies |
|
|
25 December |
Christmas |
Western Christians |
25 December |
|
Pride Network details by Role and Unit
|
Name, location and contact details |
Role at UOW |
Unit |
|
Ali Kimbrough (she/her) |
Early Career Researcher (also Circus and Yoga instructor outside of academia) |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Aimee Silla (she/her) |
Academic |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Alex Chan (he/him) |
Lecturer |
School of Nursing |
|
Brooke Conroy (she/her) |
PhD Candidate |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Clare Johnson (she/her) |
Senior Technical Officer (also first aid officer and mental health contact) |
SMAH Research Infrastructure Support Unit (RISU) |
|
Clare Murphy (she/her) |
Academic |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Diana King (she/her) |
Deputy Program Manager |
Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future ARC SRI (SAEF) |
|
Evangelos Pappas (he/him) |
Professor and Associate Dean |
intoHealth |
|
Georgia Watson (she/her) |
Research Assistant |
Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future ARC SRI (SAEF) |
|
Harriet Simpson-Southward she/her |
PhD Candidate |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Helen Pratt (she/her) |
Academic |
School of Nursing |
|
Jenny Fisher (she/her) |
Academic |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Kelly Lambert (she/her) |
Academic Program Director (Nutrition and Dietetics) |
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences (MIHS) |
|
Kerry Dawes (she/her) |
Clinical Lecturer |
Graduate School of Medicine |
|
Kristy Blackburn (she/her) |
Honours Administration & Professional Officer |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Laura Mothersdill (she/her) |
Senior Technical Officer and Team Leader |
School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience (SCMB) |
|
Liz Halcomb (she/her) |
Academic |
School of Nursing |
|
Martina Sanderson-Smith (she/her) |
Academic |
School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience (SCMB) |
|
Megan Thomas (they/them) |
Regional Academic Leader & GP (also Associate Head of School, EDI) |
Graduate School of Medicine |
|
Nicholas Deutscher (he/him) |
Academic |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Siobhan Heatwole (she/her) |
PhD Candidate |
School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) |
|
Suzy Bowdler (she/her) |
Academic |
School of Nursing |
|
Yasmine Probst (she/her) |
Academic (also Associate Head of School, EDI) |
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences (MIHS) |
| Anne McMahon (she/her) Wollongong Campus |
Head of Students |
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences (MIHS) |
|
Arjun Radhakrishnan |
PCOC Technical Support Officer |
PCOC (Formerly AHSRI) |
|
Joel Craddock (he/him) |
Academic |
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences (MIHS) |
|
Megan Kelly (she/her) |
Academic and Head of Students |
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences (MIHS) |
|
Jason Aquilina |
Senior Manager Research Operations |
SMAH Office |
|
Chiara Lyon |
Faculty Engagement Coordinator |
SMAH Office |
Recognising with communities: significant days
Embrace a journey of inclusivity and ignite meaningful conversations. Learn of upcoming celebrations and vital acknowledgments through our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Calendar. Save the dates that resonate with you, and join the movement towards a more empowered and inclusive society.
Celebrate and reflect: Browse our UOW Inclusion Calendar
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Contacts
- Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
- Associate Heads of School (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
- Postgraduate Representatives
- Undergraduate Representatives
Associate Professor Yasmine Probst
E: yasmine_probst@uow.edu.au
T: +612 4221 4844
- Haibo Yu, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience
- Anthony Dosseto, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences
- Sanaz Khanlari (Acting), Graduate School of Medicine
- John Rihari-Thomas, School of Nursing
- Karen Fildes, School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences