Rate My Professor Dayna Kelly-Guthrie

Dayna Kelly-Guthrie serves as a Lecturer in the Gukwonderuk Indigenous Health Workforces Centre within Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. A proud Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, and Mutthi Mutthi woman, she was born and spent her first 20 years living on her mother’s land, Wamba Wamba Country in Swan Hill. She completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at Monash University, awarded on 15 December 2023. Now living, working, and based between Wurundjeri and Bunurong Country, her professional focus is on Indigenous health equity, with a strong emphasis on anti-racism education and initiatives that promote better health outcomes for Indigenous communities. Guided by her commitment to social justice, she is dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering positive change in healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Dayna is also deeply passionate about social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring that culturally grounded healing and community strength remain at the centre of her practice.

In her roles at Monash University, Dayna contributes to ethics oversight and educational innovation. She serves as Indigenous Member of the Monash University Research Ethics Committee from October 2024 to August 2025 and as Research Ethics Committee Member - Community Member (Fellow) from August 2025. She co-facilitated the session 'How to elevate First Peoples’ voices in curriculum' at the Monash Learning and Teaching Conference 2024 with Olivia Bonanno, exploring allyship principles in education and culturally safe ways to forefront First Peoples’ voices in higher degree curricula while connecting educators advocating for First Peoples. Additionally, she is an organiser for the International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2025, held 16-19 June 2025, alongside J. McCartan, K. Adams, S. H. Fisher, and V. Nguyen. Her work aligns with the Gukwonderuk Centre’s mission to develop health workforces informed by Indigenous knowledge, contributing to education, engagement, and research for Indigenous health and wellbeing.