in the beginning...

Before Time

Natural Partners was formed in 2001 with my wife, (married 24 years) to work between all levels of Government and the Private Sector and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities. Our motto was “Diversity, Community, Partnership, Engagement”. We provided culturally appropriate relationships for Government Departments, NGO’s and the Private Sector to engage effectively and successfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with the key outcome being benefit for the community. Key focus ares included governance (Council and community), capacity building, community engagement, training, employment and economic development. Today, Uncharted Consulting continues that capability, experience and services.

current & previous projects

CDEP / CDP Reviews Tenders and Training

Contracts with:

FACHSIA (Fed Gov) & DEEDI (Qld)

Torres Strait Island Regional Council

Cape York Employment / Cape York Partnerships

Led a range of initiatives, tenders, planning and development reviews:

Torres Strait CDEP Jobs Program Audit (DEEDI/FACHSIA)
Joint CDP Tender development and submission with Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Torres Shire Council and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council
Cape York Employment (CDP) Engagement Strategy and Hub
Cape York Leaders Program - ACTIVE-8 - 2021
Cape York Partnerships Mayi Market initiative - 2022
The Great Dreaming Track - Business Case - 2024

COUNCILLOR TRAINING PROGRAM

Contracted by the Department of Local Government & Planning: 2003 - 2008

We were the leading contract provider for DATSIP (then DLGPSR) to deliver the Councillor Training Program to elected Councillors, Mayors, CEO’s (And former Chairs & Council Clerks) of 20 of the 36 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils in Queensland. The LGAQ was contracted for the remaining 18 Indigenous Councils. This was a significant program of delivery in community every two months, over a five year period, for each council. This was also leading up to the 2008 amalgamation of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area regions and transition of Indigenous Councils to the Local Government Act. Our Councils were:

Cherbourg
Palm Island
Woorabinda
Napranum
Wujal Wujal
Hopevale
Mornington Island
Umagico
New Mapoon
Injinoo
St Pauls (Moa Island)
Kubin (Moa Island)
Badu Island
Yorke Island (Masig)
Warraber Island (Sue)
Iama Island (Yam)
Hammond Island (Kiriri)
Poruma Island (Coconut)
Bamaga
Seisia

COMMUNITY PLANNING SKILLS AUDITS SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENTS

Contracts with:

Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination

Indigenous Coordination Centre

Department of Education & Training

Cherbourg (Community) Skills and Knowledge Audit 2010
Hopevale Aboriginal Shire Council Skill’s Audit 2013
Shared Responsibility Agreement - Cherbourg 2005 (OIPC)
Palm Island (Community) Skills & Knowledge Audit 2012 (DETA)
Cherbourg Community Survey 2009
Cherbourg Community Development Plan 2010
Cherbourg Aged Care Review
Cherbourg Workforce Research Project (OIPC)
Cherbourg Extreme Makeover, 2009 - 291 houses & public spaces

NATURAL RESOURCES, LAND & SEA MANAGEMENT, LAND TRUSTS & AGRICULTURE

Provided services to successfully negotiate, develop and implement land and sea management projects, enable Indigenous Land Trusts, land managers, corporations and Councils, for example:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Acts Branch (QLD Gov) workshops for Indigenous Land Trusts Far North Queensland
Mackay Indigenous Land Managers Project 2003
Mackay Indigenous Sea Rangers Program 2004
Mackay NRM Group: Indigenous Engagement 2005 to 2005
Ware Corner (Moa Island) Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Cherbourg Pastoral - Community Cattle Farm, Emu Farm
Bralbin Minya Stud operations (Cherbourg Owned)

PANELS

Australian Public Service Commission

International Public Sector Management Panel from 2005 to 2007 for the delivery for Leadership, Development and Change Management for Indigenous peoples of the Asia-Pacific region including Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Indonesia, Thailand, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu.

Dept Local Government & Planning: 2005 - 2009

Panel of Consultants - For short to medium term contracts, supporting the operations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander local goverments.

OFFICE OF INDIGENOUS POLICY COORDINATION (Various Panels) 2005 - 2009

Multi-Use List for Community Facilitators & Coordinators: that supports Indigenous partners, assist government agencies to engage and work with Indigenous communities, groups and families, and facilitate the agreement-making process between communities and governments.

CORPORATE & MAJOR INDUSTRY

Developed strategic partnerships and collaborative programs in some of Australia’s leading employers to improve engagement with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to increase investment, employment, business opportunities and education and increased service delivery.

BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance

Indigenous Employment & Community Initiatives Strategy including employment for mine operations in Central Queensland and Head Office.

Woolworths:

Indigenous Employment Strategy - 75 stores, 100 traineeships and apprenticeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Serco Sodexo Defence Services:

Indigenous Engagement Strategy in Queensland, NSW, NT and ACT including employment, subcontracting opportunities, capacity building.

Brisbane City Council:

Mentoring and Career Development Program for Indigenous staff

Australia Post:

Indigenous Engagement for Increased Remote Services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Roche Mining:

Traditional Owner Consultation Workshops in Central Queensland.