Margaret Fono Australian Freshwater Sciences Society Conference 2024

Margaret Fono

Maggie is a wife and a mum of three young children. She's also a student, public servant and community leader known for her dedication to education, cultural competency and social impact. With roots in the Kingdom of Tonga, she is a second generation migrant living on unceded territory of Birpai and has devoted much of her life to advocating for the visibility and empowerment of priority populations, particularly through education, youth development and justice. Maggie holds degrees in medical science, project management, public health and is undertaking a PhD in co-designing policy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She combines her academic background with practical initiatives to foster resilience and opportunity among underrepresented groups, uplift communities, bridge gaps and promoting inclusivity across generational and cultural lines. She is known for her mentorship, encouraging young people to pursue their ambitions and build on their cultural strengths. Maggie has held leadership roles in non-profit organisations and often collaborates with churches, schools, governments and community leaders to address key issues like access to quality education, mental health support and cultural preservation.

Abstracts this author is presenting: