Reflection Report – Tony Misich Lecture Series, WAPPA Conference Keynote Speaker Thomas Mayo 

-written by Donna Bridge, WAPPA Board Member

At this year’s WAPPA Conference, under the theme Illuminating Leadership: Shine a light on your leadership brilliance and embark on a journey of growth and influence, more than 400 principals gathered to learn, to connect, and to be inspired. Across three days, we heard from world-class keynote speakers who each shone their light in unique ways. 

Dan Gregory challenged us to think differently, to lead with creativity, and to see opportunities where others see obstacles. Kristen Douglas reminded us that leadership must first and foremost protect the hope and wellbeing of our young people. Michelle Rushton called us to understand the science of influence — that our behaviour and example matter far more than our words alone. Professor Andrew Whitehouse illuminated the importance of inclusion, reminding us that no child should be left behind. And Julie Cross brought the spark of joy, energy, and laughter that so often sustains us when the work feels heavy. 

Together, these voices built a powerful tapestry of leadership insight. Yet it was the Tony Misich Lecture, delivered this year by Thomas Mayo, that offered us something deeper: a grounding in old-world learning that framed the entire conference through the lens of humility, resilience, and justice. 

The Power of Sesthamarn Leadership 

Thomas spoke of sesthamarn — an Aboriginal word meaning humility, quiet strength, and speaking only when needed. This was more than a linguistic lesson; it was a profound leadership principle. He reminded us that true influence is not found in loud voices or constant visibility, but in the stillness of deep listening, the care of measured words, and the courage of actions anchored in values. 

In this way, Thomas connected directly to the legacy of Tony Misich. Tony led not by dominating, but by advocating — for children, for principals, for justice in education. He too embodied sesthamarn: humble, steady, and purposeful leadership that sought to strengthen others. 

Strength, Warmth, and Resilience 

One of the most impactful messages Thomas shared was the importance of holding strength and warmth together. Strength alone can become brittle; warmth alone can fade. But together they form resilience — the ability to keep showing up, to heal, to persist. 

This balance echoed the messages of the other keynote speakers: 

• Dan Gregory’s creativity showed how leaders must be strong enough to think differently. 

• Kristen Douglas’s focus on hope reminded us of the warmth required to safeguard young people. 

• Michelle Rushton’s insights into behaviour reinforced that resilience is modelled, not declared. 

• Andrew Whitehouse’s vision of inclusion spoke to the strength of bringing every voice into the circle. 

• Julie Cross’s celebration of joy reminded us that warmth and energy sustain us through challenge. 

In Thomas’s framing, these diverse messages converged: leadership is relational, resilient, and healing. 

Old World Learning for Modern Leadership 

Thomas’s reflections drew us to consider leadership through the lens of the world’s oldest continuous cultures. He spoke of the “cashless currency” of trust, kinship, and reciprocity that sustained Aboriginal peoples for over 65,000 years. 

In modern leadership, this is about the power of relationships — the currency of care — and the way influence grows not from status or authority, but from connection and trust.  

Thomas also spoke of the power of familiarity — that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, sharing culture, story, and truth is not only about reconciliation, but about strengthening identity as a nation. He reminded us that the Uluru Statement from the Heart is not a political document, but an invitation to all Australians to walk together in hope and justice. In this way, leadership becomes not only a professional act but a deeply human one — about creating spaces of belonging where every child, family, and community can see themselves in our shared future. 

This perspective enriched our conference theme. Illuminating leadership is not about spotlighting individual brilliance, but about shining collectively — like a constellation, where each light strengthens the other. Thomas’s words reminded us that leadership is lived, not declared; it must be grounded in listening, humility, and a commitment to justice. 

A Shared Call to Action 

As we reflect on the conference as a whole, the Tony Misich Lecture offered us a unifying thread. It challenged us to see our leadership not only as professional responsibility, but as moral purpose. It called us to: 

• Be humble and intentional in our words (sesthamarn). 

• Anchor leadership in values and relationships. 

• Balance strength with warmth to build resilience. 

• Use our collective brilliance to shape a more inclusive, just, and hopeful future. 

In doing so, Thomas Mayo elevated our conversations and reminded us that leadership in education is deeply connected to the broader work of truth, healing, and social justice. His contribution did not stand apart from the other keynote messages — it brought them together, weaving ancient wisdom into modern practice, and illuminating a pathway for all of us to follow. 

As principals, as leaders, and as a community, may we carry these insights forward, empowered not just to shine individually, but to shine together — shaping a brighter and more dynamic future for the children and communities we serve.