We are on the threshold of the greatest changes humanity has ever faced.
For over five decades, journalist, author and film-maker, Dr Jeff McMullen AM, has given voice to the struggle by First Nations people in Australia and around the world. His focus is on improving education and health while addressing the fundamental human rights of First Peoples. In 2006 Dr Jeff McMullen was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for service to journalism and efforts to raise awareness of economic, social and human rights issues in Australia and overseas, as well as service to charity.
Current Work
Dr McMullen is a foundational Director of AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience) and has helped grow Australia’s most successful mentoring program for Indigenous students around the country and its introduction in Africa and North America. He is also a Director of the Engineering Aid Australia Indigenous Summer School program.
Dr McMullen has been prominent in the Close the Gap campaign, chairing forums for AIDA and NACCHO, as well as the Northern Territory’s first conference focussed on Indigenous suicide prevention. He has worked closely with the Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation in the Katherine region, developing maternal and infant health programs. He is also an Ambassador of NOFASD, the national organisation working to reduce foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in children. In 2018 McMullen supported the advocacy of Gilbert & Tobin law firm to change the laws in each State and Territory to recognise the impact on health of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Previous Experience
Film & Television: Dr McMullen has been a foreign correspondent for Australian Broadcasting Corporation, reporter for Four Corners and Sixty Minutes, anchor of the 33-part issue series on ABC Television, Difference of Opinion and host of forums on National Indigenous Television.
Dr McMullen’s film, East Coast Encounter, which explores Lt. James Cook’s 1770 contact with Aboriginal people screened in 2018 at the British Library in London to present Aboriginal views on the impact of terra nullius and dispossession. The East Coast Encounter exhibition of the Aboriginal viewpoint is now part of the permanent collection of the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Author: In 2001 Dr McMullen’s memoir, “A LIFE OF EXTREMES - JOURNEYS AND ENCOUNTERS’, was published by HarperCollins Australia. It examines the global pattern of conflict, environmental degradation and species extinction, as well as sharing ideas from some of the world’s bravest individuals on a brighter future for the human family.
His landmark essay, “Dispossession: Neo-Liberalism and the Struggle for Aboriginal Land and Rights in the 21st Century”, included in the book IN BLACK & WHITE and published by Connor Court 2013, analysed the market forces shaping Indigenous policy.
Another essay, “Rolling Thunder - Voices Against Oppression”, investigated the Government deceit and propaganda surrounding the federal take-over of remote communities in the Northern Territory and was featured in “INTERVENTION: An Anthology”, published by Concerned Australians and edited by Rosie Scott and Anita Heiss in 2015.
Philanthropy & Advocacy: In 2016, McMullen gave the “Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture” outlining “transformational ideas” to shift, wealth, trust and real political power to Aboriginal people to assert control over their destiny.
Dr McMullen volunteered for fourteen years as Honorary CEO of Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for Youth, establishing early learning and the Literacy Backpack program in 22 remote communities. He was also a foundation Trustee of the late Uncle Jimmy Little’s Foundation tackling health issues in remote communities.
He is also long-term patron of the Merry Maker’s Down’s Syndrome troupe and Mirabel, the foundation working to support the extended families caring for children whose parents have died from drug overdose, McMullen also contributed to the University of Canberra’s Healthpact Center, promoting health and social equality for all Australian children.
Education: Dr McMullen holds a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University, an Honorary Doctorate of Journalism from Central Queensland University, as well as Honorary Doctorates of Letters from The University of Newcastle and Macquarie University.
One of the most outstanding, thought-provoking and moving speeches I have ever heard. This view was echoed by the majority of 300 guests attending the lunch. We have been inundated by cong ... keep reading Australian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong
What can I say but just awesome, brilliant and one of the best. His message was so appropriate for our organisation - reaching the top University students throughout Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia his vision of the ultimate global village theory and that we can all make a difference rang true with the vast majority of attendees. One of the most impressive aspects to his attendance ( unlike many speakers who come, deliver and run!! ) was his willingness to remain and talk to students individually, sig
Very insightful. Excellent choice of speaker and topic, let's have more of it! Very informative and inspiring. Jeff is always so inspiring: his length, depth and knowledge is amazing. Truly captivates his audience. Very good presentation. Inspired and passionate about the subject matter. He held audience interest throughout. Excellent. Fantastic.
Jeff’s pre-existing knowledge of, and passion for, this subject, made a big difference to the Roundtable and Forum. He led a very powerful goup smoothly, expertly, and with considerable perception. In the end, he delivered far more than called for in the brief.
Jeff made a profound impression on many/most/ perhaps all persons in the room (200 pax). When he finished, delegates leapt out of their chairs and ran to speak with him personally. This is a sign of a speaker well received! It was all I could do to get Jeff out of the building past the hordes of new fans and into his car so that he could make his flight on time. We want Jeff back next year, and hopefully in an expanded role, subject to client discussion.
