Renae Holmberg

Renae is a proud Wakka Wakka woman (Queensland) residing on Kaurna land in South Australia for over 20 years. Renae has an extensive background in Aboriginal community development, services, and education support, with a solid knowledge base spanning Early Childhood to Secondary School.

In 2021 she transitioned into research within the Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance (ACRA) at SAHMRI. She was lead study coordinator for Corka Bubs, a research project providing a care package to support Aboriginal women and families experiencing life stressors that may contribute to poor birthing outcomes. Renae’s current role is the ‘Co Program Manager – Cultural Safety’, of the ICARE project. In this role, Renae collaborates with an extensive network of researchers, government, and Aboriginal community health organisations locally and nationally, to improve health and wellbeing through increased access to services and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums and their families.

Renae has co-developed, conducted, evaluated, and refined community and stakeholder workshops, and both built and maintained effective working relationships with key organisations and stakeholders, including most importantly, community members. Renae is co-chair of the ACRA Steering Group; a collaborative initiative which brings together researchers, Aboriginal community members, policymakers, and service providers who share a vision for ‘a healthy and just future for Aboriginal families’ and the view that Aboriginal health is everyone’s business.

Renae continues to act as a mentor, supporting and educating Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff. Her positive attitude, passion for sharing cultural knowledge, and drawing strength from elders makes her an extremely strong Aboriginal leader, and advocate for change.