The actuarial profession and Indigenous Australia together

I always thought I was a fairly typical actuary. Good at maths at school, went to university, qualified as a fellow, and then set about trying to save the world by solving complicated things.

A couple of years ago, things became somewhat less typical when I discovered that my ancestry includes Aboriginal Australian, through a DNA test that I received as a gift. The result was a complete surprise, and nothing in my suburban, Anglo-Celtic upbringing gave me any hints of this. It then kicked off a journey of self-discovery.

I was lucky that the test results included further information that showed I was descended from a remarkable woman called Sarah.  She was born around 1800.  The exact year is unclear, but we know she lived on the lower Hawkesbury River, near what would become Brooklyn, just north of Sydney.  She eventually owned land in her own name and was well known to the local settler community, where she acted as the local midwife.

She married a convict, and while it is hard to be certain, they appeared to have had a genuine relationship.  They had ten children, with at least seven reaching adulthood.  Her husband was a German and referred to her as Biddy. Stories would pass down later how, when they were together in their small boat on the river, he would say, “Sit in the bow Biddy, so I can see your beautiful face”. 

Sarah died at around 80 years old, with her funeral well attended by the settler community. Whilst she was a survivor, over her long life she would have witnessed great changes around her through disease, violence and dispossession.   With her passing, it seems to have suited everyone to view her as the end of something.  While she herself was recognised as Aboriginal, the following generation only considered themselves “British”. 

After I processed all of this, my next thought was whether I could apply my actuarial skills to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-related issues. I have since realised the naivety of this view.  Instead, I now understand how much I can learn from a 65,000-year-old culture, with all its complexities.

I reached out to Rick Shaw, a Gamillaroi man, who, until I raised my hand, was the only member of the Actuaries Institute to identify as Aboriginal.  From Rick, I learned many things. One example is his concept of the “Blaktuary” and how actuaries and the Aboriginal community are similar but different.  While both can learn from each other, both share similar concepts of custodianship, albeit in different fields.

I have learnt the concept of “indigenous data sovereignty”, which has given me a greater appreciation of who actually owns data and how it is used.  It is a global concept and recognises that Indigenous people own their data (in any format) and they decide how and why their data is collected and used, and that it reflects their own views.  Hugh Miller and Laura Dixie published an Actuaries Institute paper on Indigenous Data Sovereignty in September 2024.  However, I feel that such concepts could apply to any data.

I have also learnt about the dangers of “deficit thinking”, which starts from old stereotypes that the Indigenous community is a problem to be solved.  Rather, I have now seen Indigenous resilience and knowledge, and a supporting community.

A common thread throughout has been the importance of ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are heard in all matters, especially those that impact their communities. It is important this is recognised, including by actuaries. 

I am very proud to have Aboriginal Australian as part of my ancestry, and it is something I want to have a greater part of my life. I have been humbled by the welcome I have received through my interactions with other First Nations Australians. I am now a member of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group at my employer, which has allowed me to connect with colleagues and share this part of myself at work.  A First Nations Employee Network is now kicking off.

Overall, I am very happy to see myself counted as an actuary who is an Indigenous Australian.

I would love to connect with anyone in our profession who has a similar story, or anyone with an interest in exploring how the actuarial profession and Indigenous Australia can come together to help shape the future.  It is a fascinating topic and there is much to learn.