Dan Powell
LGBTIQ First Nations Senior Project Coordinator, Rainbow Health Australia, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society
La Trobe University; 2025 Victorian NAIDOC Pride Award Winner
Hi, my name is Dan. I'm a proud Yorta Yorta Queer person (he/they) and currently the First Nations How2 Program Coordinator at Rainbow Health Australia, based at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society at La Trobe University. My work focuses on inclusion and diversity, particularly supporting LGBTIQ+ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. I'm leading the development of a best-practice model for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to better support Rainbow Mob and improve community wellbeing.
I have experience across Aboriginal Youth Justice, leadership, case management, and the disability sector—ranging from complex 1:1 support to Disability Employment Services.
I'm passionate about creating safer, more inclusive spaces and take pride in my identity as a Queer Koorie. Outside of work, I’m a proud dog dad, a music lover, and someone who’s always up for a boogie with mates.
Sessions
Day 1
2.30
Yarning Circles
A: Deadly career pathways for allied health: Join Petina Fry as she unpacks the initiative at Metro South Health designed to strengthen cultural leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health staff and grow the First Nations workforce within culturally safe workplaces.
Petina Fry, Allied Health Workforce Development Officer - Identified, Metro South Health
B: Rainbow Mob Are My Mob: Best Practice Model of Rainbow Mob Inclusion in ACCOs
This best practice model was designed for ACCOs to increase Rainbow Mob inclusion in their organisations, meet their LGBTQIASB+ safety compliance requirements and align to the Rainbow Tick accreditation standards. Learn more about how the model was made and how it can be used in your organisation.
Natalie Bassett-Bokic, Senior Accreditation Officer (Inclusion & Diversity), Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
Dan Powell, LGBTIQ First Nations Senior Project Coordinator, Rainbow Health Australia, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe University; 2025 Victorian NAIDOC Pride Award Winner
C: Wellbeing workshop: Join this session to connect with culture and each other as you explore strategies to promote wellbeing for yourself and those around you.
Day 2
1.55
Yarning Circles
A: Deadly career pathways for allied health: Join Petina Fry as she unpacks the initiative at Metro South Health designed to strengthen cultural leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health staff and grow the First Nations workforce.
Petina Fry, Allied Health Workforce Development Officer - Identified, Metro South Health
B: Rainbow Mob Are My Mob: Best Practice Model of Rainbow Mob Inclusion in ACCOs
This best practice model was designed for ACCOs to increase Rainbow Mob inclusion in their organisations, meet their LGBTQIASB+ safety compliance requirements and align to the Rainbow Tick accreditation standards. Learn more about how the model was made and how it can be used in your organisation.
Natalie Bassett-Bokic, Senior Accreditation Officer (Inclusion & Diversity), Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
Dan Powell, LGBTIQ First Nations Senior Project Coordinator, Rainbow Health Australia, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe University; 2025 Victorian NAIDOC Pride Award Winner
C: Wellbeing workshop: Join this session to connect with culture and each other as you explore strategies to promote wellbeing for yourself and those around you.