In keeping with Petah's long standing interest in Indigenous Theatre she has embarked on Doctoral studies as a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of New England focusing on Australian Contemporary Indigenous Theatre.
Petah was a founding director of the charity Gunawirra, a not-for-profit organization providing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and worked with the organisation for some time.
As a result of her background Petah's charity interests lay in:
- The funding of promising Indigenous artists; when returning to their homelands, to act as mentors for young children
- The funding of "weekend concerts" where established and promising Indigenous artists could share their knowledge and experiences with Aborigine families from satellite settlements, who were encouraged to come together in one central location.
Petah's involvement in Indigenous charitable work includes fund raising and events organisation. She had already studied Indigenous Urban Art as part of her Fine Arts undergraduate degree and encouraged by her involvement with Aboriginal people went on to form an Aboriginal Womens' Choir.
Petah has read extensively on the history of the Australian Aboriginal people and is an avid collector of Indigenous artifacts from both Australia and overseas.
Given Petah's background in the performing arts, her transition from a performer to both an academic and teacher, combined with her interest in all things Indigenous, it is not difficult to understand why she has a particular interest in how European Theatre and Music have influenced the contemporary Australian Indigenous approach to Music Theatre, Drama, Movie Production and Dance. Petah's continued thirst for knowledge and understanding have combined to make this her particular area for understanding.
