Strength in Motion- Cancer Research Project

Jess is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri and Wailwan Nations from Western NSW, living on Birpai Country in Port Macquarie. She is the Co-Founder and Director of Strong Spirit Aboriginal Services and the Co-Founder and Director of Strong Spirit Services Ltd. With over 17 years in the health sector, Jess has expertise in project management, grant writing, financial management, health management, program development, and stakeholder engagement.

Jess is passionate about culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, building meaningful relationships and driving positive change. She holds a Masters in Public Health (2017), a Certificate III in Fitness (2013), a Certificate IV in Project Management (2012), and a Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) (2009).

"The Strength in Motion project will empower Strong Spirit Aboriginal Services to deliver culturally safe health initiatives, co-designed by the community and led by Aboriginal voices. This project will focus on improving cancer prevention, enhancing life outcomes post-diagnosis, and supporting individuals on the Mid North Coast in making informed health decisions to improve overall well-being."

Dr Kate Bolam is a Senior Research Fellow at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute with expertise in exercise and physical activity for people affected by cancer.

Kate’s research examines how exercise can help people affected by cancer to feel better and manage cancer related side-effects. She is also interested to learn how we can better support people to be more active after a cancer diagnosis, no matter where they live. For the last 10 years Kate has worked internationally but the focus of her more recent research has been the development of partnerships with community organisations to learn how we can develop more equitable cancer support services together. She is also an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

"I am really looking forward to the process of listening to and learning from the community's knowledge and voices as we work together to develop better cancer support services with local Aboriginal community. I deeply appreciate and respect the opportunity to be involved in this process"

 Dr. Wheeler is a proud Ngarabal person and Accredited Exercise Scientist (ESSA) specializing in implementation science with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. He was the first Aboriginal person to graduate with a PhD from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Dr. Wheeler’s research focuses on co-designing community programs to build capacity and engage youth in various development areas, with an emphasis on trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches. He has led teams developing education programs based on strength-based, holistic frameworks, and works on enhancing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to address complex health needs.

Specializing in biomechanics, sport analytics, and performance analysis, Dr. Wheeler collaborates with sporting organizations, including Indigenous Basketball Australia, and has worked with teams such as the Wallabies, Brumbies Rugby, and the Australian Institute of Sport. He co-designs programs to optimize sports performance and community health.

Dr. Wheeler chairs the ESSA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy Working Group and is the Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy at the University of Queensland’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences. He is also the Program Convenor for the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences at UQ.

Dr Rona Macniven is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Population Health at UNSW Sydney with expertise in physical activity, sport, falls prevention, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and public health research. 

Her research examines physical health and social and emotional wellbeing and the impact of physical activity and sport across the lifespan, particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Her vision is to generate, in partnership with stakeholders, high quality evidence of how to improve health and wellbeing across the life-course. She leads epidemiological and community evaluation research studies in collaboration with multiple academic institutions and community groups, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. She has undertaken government consultancy projects and evaluation for the Australian and NSW Governments and has collaborated with large Australian NGOs to translate research into practice.

 “It’s an honour to support Strong Spirit in this research project as their unique community links means the research will be designed, implemented and evaluated in ways that will be meaningful to Aboriginal people and create lasting, positive cancer prevention and management impact for Aboriginal people”  

 Tristram is a proud descendant of the Ngemba and Barkindji nations from Western NSW. He is the Co-Founder, Director, and CEO of Strong Spirit Services Ltd, as well as the Co-Founder and Director of Strong Spirit Aboriginal Services. With extensive experience in the health sector, Tristram has worked across health promotion, chronic disease management, Aboriginal health, human resources, and in housing, education, and disability services. His career spans both operational and management roles, where he has gained expertise in project management, financial management, reporting, staff management, program delivery, and community and stakeholder engagement.

Tristram holds a Certificate IV in Disability, a Certificate IV in Mental Health, and a Certificate IV in Business, which have equipped him with a strong foundation in both health and business management. He is deeply passionate about working with Aboriginal people, focusing on helping them strengthen their cultural identity through various activities and knowledge sharing. Tristram believes that fostering a strong cultural connection is foundational to the well-being of Aboriginal communities.