Selected Employment, Consulting and Projects
My work has been a mix of employment, consulting and projects over 35 years in Australia and Cambodia. In that time I have worked for and with more than 70 Indigenous owned organisations in remote Australia in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, Cape York, the Torres Strait and Victoria.
Currently I am Director of Songlines Australia Pty Ltd. Songlines is a social enterprise that offers a retail, gallery and events space in Stuart Park, Darwin. Over the last four years it has developed a reputation for quality of its arts and crafts and has presented a variety of interesting events and projects. I also have a small (sole trader) business called Flying Fox Fabrics that works with First Nations art centres and disability organisations in Cambodia to make a range of beautiful and affordable products.
Select Consulting
A key activity is the facilitation of Strategic, Business & Marketing Plans. I have also undertaken many other projects delivering support and mentoring.
- Professional development and production support to Bula’bula Arts print workshop (2023-34)
- Develop the Ikuntji Artists workforce participation in fabric printing/commercial activities: Ikuntji Textiles Project (2021)
- International Marketing Plan 2021-23 for Ikuntji Artists (2021)
- Crowdfunding campaign for Bula’bula Arts Help Us Start Fabric Printing Again (2020)
- Mentor Support Bula’Bula Arts to reinvigorate fabric printing production and sales (2020)
- Infrastructure Feasibility Study for Baluk Arts Mornington Peninsula (2019-20), with Armstrong Muller
- Artsworker Training for Papulankutja Artists (2019)
- Supply Chain Analysis in fabric printing for Bula’bula Arts, Wadeye and Injalak Arts (2014)
- Strategic Business Plan 2014-16 for Erub Erwer Meta, Darnley Island QLD (2014)
- Strategic Business Plan 2013 – 16 for Injalak Arts (2013)
- Fabric Business & Marketing Plan 2014-16 for Injalak Arts, Gunbalanya NT (2013)
- Strategic Planning Process for Conversations With Foreigners, Phnom Penh Cambodia (2012)
- Strategic Business Plan for Live & Learn Environmental Education Cambodia (2012)
- Feasibility Study for Phat Sanday Community Based Ecotourism, Tonle Sap, Cambodia (2011)
- Torres Strait Regional Arts Development Plan for TSRA (2011)
- Strategic Business & Marketing Plan for Gab Titui Cultural Centre, Thursday Island for TSRA (2010)
- Strategic Business & Marketing Plan for Copley Ceramics for Aroona Community Council (2009)
- Strategic Business Plan 2009-2012 for Erub Erwer Meta, Darnley Island QLD (2009)
- Strategic Business Plan for Wik & Kugu Arts & Crafts, Aurukun QLD (2008)
- Strategic Business & Marketing Plan for Babbarra Designs, Maningrida NT (2008)
- Business Plan for Ngukurr Arts with Burdon Torzillo Consulting (2008)
- Business Plan for Jilamara Arts with Burdon Torzillo Consulting (2007)
- Strategic Business Plan for development of arts & crafts in the region for Thamarrurr Regional Council, Wadeye (2007)
- Strategic Business Plan for The Mulka Project for Buku Larrnggay, Yirrkala NT (2007)
- Feasibility Study & Business Plan for the Kalumburu Enterprise Centre for Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation, WA with Armstrong Muller Consulting (2006)
- Sales & Marketing Plans for Ernabella Arts, Minymaku Arts, Kaltjiti Arts and Iwantja Arts for Ananguku Arts (2005)
Reviews
- Review of Chi Phat Community Based Ecotourism Project, Koh Kong, Cambodia (2011)
- Review of art centres and artists’ needs in the Miwatj (north-east Arnhem Land) Region. Bula’bula Arts (Ramingining); Elcho Island Arts & Crafts (Galiwin’ku); Buku-Larrnggay Mulka (Yirrkala); and Nambara (Nhulunbuy). Consultancy for ATSIC (2004)
- Reviewed and provided a strategic assessment of artists’ needs, functions and opportunities for arts centres in the Katherine, NT Region for ATSIC (2003)
- Major Review of Desart Inc (2003)
- Assessment/Evaluation of Wik Kugu Art & Craft Centre for Aurukun Shire Council, Aurukun, Queensland (2002)
- Major Review of Bula’bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation. Consultancy for ATSIC, Nhulunbuy Regional Office: (2001)
- Grant Controller/Change Manager for ANKAAA Consultancy for ATSIC, Darwin Regional Office: (2000-2001)
- Enterprise Reviews for Ikuntji Artists, Hermannsburg Potters and Keringke Arts with Armstrong Muller Consulting (1997)
Major Projects
- 2023 – Sew Gorgeous 2024 a project facilitated in collaboration with Papulankutja Artists
- 2022 – Frock On! 2022 developed and facilitated the project for Ikuntji Artists
- 2021 – current Songlines Darwin, founder and Director
- 2019 – current Flying Fox Fabrics founder and Chief Hustler
- 2017-18 Provenance Arts – conceived and project managed establishment of Indigenous owned arts, culture and tourism space in Darwin for Injalak Arts https://vimeo.com/304084722
- 2017 CBRE Leadership Immersion Retreat – facilitated for the Leadership Team of CBRE Australia.
- 2013-2019 Injalak Arts Cross-Cultural Collaboration Project – accessories, clothing and homewares made in Cambodia from Injalak Arts hand-printed fabric. Generated over $1.2M in sales income for the art centre.
- 2012-15 Soccer Skills & Fitness Centre (SSFC) co-founder and sponsor, delivered free trainings to disadvantaged children in Phnom Penh
- 2011-15 Dragonfly Tours Cambodia co-founder with Sek Somnang and Sorn Vuthy, responsible tourism company
- 2008 Ripples in the Sand Exhibition for Yarnballa Festival – Mentor/Curator with Lavene Ngatakorua
- 2005-2008 Statewide Indigenous Community Arts Development Program (SICAD) – researched, designed and Project Manager for Ananguku Arts
- 2006 Sharing Our Stories inaugural SA statewide forum for Indigenous artists: Adelaide Festival Centre facilitated for Ananguku Arts
- 2005 ‘I just want to paint’ Report and consultancy for establishment of UMI Arts with 26 communities/towns in FNQ
- 2003-2007 Coffin Bay Art & Craft Gallery, owner and manager
- 1996-2000 The Art & Craft Centre Story Project for Desart Inc
- 1989-1991 Manyuku – Partnership for exhibitions and events featuring Warlukurlangu Artists, Bula’bula Arts and Tiwi Designs in Melbourne and Adelaide
- 1989/1990 Artlink Special Double Issue: Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Art. Consulting Editor. The first Australian art magazine to dedicate an issue to Indigenous Australian art.
Miscellaneous Gigs
- 2006 Consultancy for Crown Solicitor’s Office, Government of SA – Discussion Paper for an Anangu Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre project for Marla Township SA.
- 2003 Consultancy: Policy development for Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), Australian National University, working with Professor Jon Altman on the Northern Territory Government’s Indigenous Arts Strategy.
- 2000 National Indigenous Visual Arts Protocols Kit panel member
Employment
- 2021-current Director at Songlines Australia, Darwin NT
- 2013-2019 Mentor Manager Injalak Arts, Gunbalanya NT
- 2010-2012 Business Management Adviser (AVI Volunteer) – Live & Learn Environmental Education, Phnom Penh
- 2005-2008 SICAD Project Manager, Ananguku Arts, SA
- 2001 Acting Manager Bula’bula Arts, Ramingining NT
- 1995 Project Manager Mimili Community Council Inc., Mimili SA
- 1991-95 Manager Injalak Arts, Gunbalanya/Oenpelli NT
- 1986-88 Manager Warlukurlangu Artists, Yuendumu NT
- 1984-86 Youth Supported Accomodation Worker, Wombat Youth Accomodation, Melbourne
Publications
- 2018 Injalak Hill Rock Art Book – project coordinator, co-author and editor. Coordinated self-publishing for Injalak Arts.
- 2017 Mayhmayh – Different Birds – children’s book – project coordinator, editor and co-author with Graham Badari. Coordinated self-publishing for Injalak Arts.
- 2016 The Kunwinjku Counting Book – children’s book – project coordinator, editor and co-author (editor). Coordinated self-publishing for Injalak Arts.
- 2008 Ripples in the Sand Exhibition Catalogue for Yarnballa Festival, editor for Port Augusta Council
- 2000 The Art & Craft Centre Story Volume III – Good Stories from Out Bush. Examples of best practice in Aboriginal community art and craft centres. ATSIC, Canberra.
- 1999 The Art & Craft Centre Story Volume II – Summary and Recommendations. A survey of thirty-nine Aboriginal community art and craft centres in remote Australia. ATSIC, Canberra. (editor, with Frances Morphy)
- 1999 The Art & Craft Centre Story Volume I – Report. A survey of thirty-nine Aboriginal community art and craft centres in remote Australia, ATSIC, Canberra. Contemporary Paintings from Western Arnhem Land, exhibition catalogue
Locations: consulting/workshops/research in communities, towns, art centres
Northern Territory: Injalak Arts/Gunbalanya (Oenpelli); Ikuntji Artists/Haasts Bluff; Hermannsburg Potters/Hermannsburg; Mimi Arts/Katherine; Keringke; Babbarra Designs/Maningrida; Merrepen Arts/Merrepen; Jilamara Arts/Milikapiti; Maruku Arts and Walkatjarra/Mutitjulu; Ngukurr Arts/Ngukurr; Nhulunbuy; Nyirrpi; Munupi/Pularumpi; Bula’bula/Ramingining; Wadeye (Port Keats); Tiwi Design/Wurrumiyanga/Nguiu; Buku Larrngay Mulka/Yirrkala; Warlukurlangu Artists/Yuendumu
South Australia: Tjala Arts/Amata; Ceduna; Coober Pedy; Copley; Coorong; Pukatja/Ernabella; Iwantja/Indulkana; Hawker; Koonibba; Mimili; Mt Gambier; Murray Bridge; Nyapari; Oak Valley; Oodnadatta; Port Augusta; Port Lincoln; Port Pirie; Riverland (Berri, Renmark);
FNQ & Torres Strait: Aurukun; Cairns; Coen; Cooktown; Erub (Darnley Island); Gordonvale; Hopevale; Injinoo; Laura; Lockhart River; Mapoon; Mornington Island; Mossman Gorge; Mt Isa; New Mapoon; Pormporaaw; Ravenshoe; Thursday Island; Weipa; Wujal Wujal; Yarrabah
Western Australia: Warlayirti Arts/Balgo; Kalumburu; Papulankutja Artists/Blackstone; Tjuntjuntjara