Article
March 11, 2026
Message from the TIS National Coordinator, Prof Tom Calma AO
January and February are often months of preparation, setting strategic direction, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that the year ahead is grounded in clarity and purpose. This year has been no different.
In January, I commenced my role as Acting First Nations Commissioner with the interim Australian Tertiary Education Commission. It is a short term, part time role and I am still doing the National Coordinator role. While this sits within the higher education landscape, the connection to our health work is profound. Education, equity and health outcomes are deeply intertwined. If we are to close the gap in smoking prevalence, we must also strengthen pathways into education, leadership and opportunity for our young people. Systems reform matters; but it must always be shaped by First Nations voices and lived experience. Check out https://www.atec.gov.au as this affects all of our futures.
In February, I had the profound privilege of presenting the inaugural Tom Calma Family Endowment Scholarship at the University of Canberra; a moment that was both professional and deeply personal. Postgraduate student Remy Lee Morris, a proud Kamilaroi woman currently undertaking a Master of Public Health, was announced as the inaugural recipient. Remy has played a significant role in the design and compilation of the Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) Digital Repository, and in a particularly special moment, she only learned she was the recipient when I announced her name at the repository’s official launch. To witness her surprise, and to recognise her dedication to strengthening our evidence base and supporting community-led health promotion, was incredibly moving.
The launch of the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Digital Repository itself marked an important milestone for our network, strengthening how we capture, share and elevate best practice across the country. I encourage you to read more about this significant achievement in the dedicated article.
Alongside these milestones, I have continued to engage with colleagues across the TIS network, reflecting on the emerging challenges around vaping, the importance of culturally resonant health promotion, and the need to maintain momentum in community-led approaches.
As we move further into 2026, I encourage all services to remain confident in your expertise. Continue to lead with evidence. Continue to centre culture. Continue to share your stories of impact.
The next generation is watching, and learning from the standards we set today.
Thank you for your commitment, your professionalism and your unwavering dedication to healthier futures for our peoples. I look forward to catching up with teams from WA, NT, SA, Vic and Tas at our Jurisdictional Workshop in Boorloo (Perth) on 24 and 25 March.
Professor Tom Calma AO
National Coordinator Tackling Indigenous Smoking
