Lunch Break: Writing and Cultural Safety

Does your script include Indigenous characters, stories or themes? Who has the right to tell the story? Why is it being told now and how can we as writers engage respectfully with First Nations people, culture and knowledge from the very beginning of the creative process?

This month on Lunch Break, we touch on these huge and vital questions with help from Dr Terri Janke. A Wuthathi, Yadhaigana and Meriam woman, Dr Janke is also an author and a leading expert in Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property. Dr Janke is joined by her colleague Chloe Hillary, an author, senior solicitor and intellectual property expert.

Both these talented writers and legal minds join us from Dr Terri Janke and Company, a 100% Indigenous owned and run law firm. You can read more about Dr Janke and Chloe below. 

As always, members will have the opportunity to contribute to the Q&A during this webinar. Prior to attending the session, we encourage all members to read or revisit the Pathways and Protocols document Dr Janke developed for Screen Australia. Not only is this document essential reading for all screenwriters and producers, but you may find answers to some of your questions are already provided there.

WHEN: Wednesday 1 July, 2026 1pm-2pm AEST 
WHERE: Online via Zoom
RSVP: Free, but RSVPs are essential. 

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS 

Dr Terri Janke is a Wuthathi, Yadhaigana and Meriam woman, a leading expert in Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), and a published author. She is the Managing Director of Terri Janke and Company and advises filmmakers, producers and organisations on engagement and creative projects across film, television and the creative industries. She is the author of Pathways and Protocols: A Filmmaker’s Guide to Working with Indigenous People, Culture and Concepts (Screen Australia) and True Tracks®: Respecting Indigenous Knowledge and Culture (UNSW Press), and is currently working on a forthcoming memoir reflecting on her journey as a lawyer, storyteller and advocate for Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights. 

Chloe Hillary is an experienced lawyer who comes to TJC with extensive background in intellectual property, administrative law and litigation, across organisations including Arts Law, the Australian Government Solicitor and DLA Piper. Chloe has advised on a range of legal areas; including intellectual property (copyright, moral rights and trade marks), Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), governance, confidentiality and defamation. In addition to her legal work, Chloe is a writer with her work having appeared in print and online publications, including Overland Magazine and Pocketry. In 2024 she was shortlisted for the Richell Prize. She has previously presented at the Northern Territory Writers Festival (2025) and the Blue Mountains Writers Festival in 2024 and 2025.