Who We Work With

Supporting leaders to build strong, innovative, connected organisations and communities.

Some of Our Recent Projects Have Included

Community Engagement & Support

Thirriwirri is partnering with the Paul Ramsay Foundation to engage and support First Nations communities across Australia to access funding for programs that support, thriving children, employment, justice & safety and communities.
The Thirriwirri team works closely with PRF to develop First Nations targeted resources and material, along with assisting communties throughout the grant processes.
Developing Executive Capability

We supported the establishment of a new Aboriginal identified, senior executive role of Deputy Guardian, including development of an innovative recruitment and communication strategy and advice on critical cultural and system supports to enable success in delivering Government and community expectations.
Strategic Planning

We work with the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Alliances (NCARA) to enhance the confidence and capacity of the Coalition to navigate government and strengthen strategic relationships with key stakeholders, to achieve their strategic priorities.
Courageous Conversations

We facilitated a number of workshops with the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust executive team and Board - to consider their past and current engagement with First Nations people, heritage and history. The workshops were designed to explore their aspirations for meaningful relationships with First Nations communities in Sydney to better recognise and showcase the significant cultural landscapes that they are responsible for managing.
Heritage Function Review

We worked closely with the team at Place Management NSW to review their heritage functions as part of their alignment within the new Placemaking NSW. The project was able to position contemporary and responsive heritage management at the centre of Placemaking NSW strategic design intent.
ACT Government Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

Thirriwirri delivered a ‘community engagement and visioning’ project for the Yarramundi Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The project envisioned a new future for the Centre that was built upon a partnership between the ACT Government and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of the Territory – celebrating connection to Country for traditional custodians, and supporting community strengthening and the sharing of cultural knowledge and practices.
Leadership and Team Effectiveness

TW worked with the NAISDA leadership team to improve organisational strategy, leadership capability, and team effectiveness. We continue to work closely with NAISDA, supporting the great work they do in developing young First Nations creative artists and future leaders of our communities.
Community Lead Governance & Service Delivery Impact

As part of our ongoing commitment to support Aboriginal Regional Alliances in NSW, we are working with the Three Rivers Regional Alliance (TRRA) in a number of ways. TRRA engaged Thirriwirri to co-design with them, a bespoke service mapping tool and ground truthing process for Aboriginal communities in their footprint. We are also assisting them in the next stage of their strategic planning.
Strategic Advice

Thirriwirri was engaged to ensure that First Nations perspectives were properly considered and embedded in the draft Public Open Spaces Strategy. This led to DPE adopting the concept of country and connection for First Nations people as a key principle in public open space planning and committing to genuine partnerships with First Nations people that support our cultural, social and economic aspirations. This engagement is ongoing….
Community Engagement to Support Recovery

Our Team worked closely with flood and storm affected Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALC’s) across NSW to identify and scope eligible projects) to rebuild and strengthen essential community assets under the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program (CLIRP).
Leadership & Team Effectiveness

TW worked with the NSW Parliamentary Services, Communications, Engagement and Education directorate to enhance their leadership capability and team effectiveness. TW guided the PS team through an exploration of personal and organisational leadership concepts and how they will continue to develop as a high performing team.
Employment Strategy Review

The Public Service Commision engaged Thirriwirri to undertake a mid-term review of the NSW Aboriginal Employment Strategy. This work entailed speaking with senior leaders across the public service to discuss the impact and effectiveness of the AES and to make recommendations for a future refresh of the Strategy.

Our Partners and Clients Say

“Recently we completed a process to examine our governance and cultural competence in preparation for the establishment of the first Aboriginal Deputy Children's Guardian position. This was more than just writing a role description. We needed to step through what success would look like, and who we needed to be as an agency to support the person on the position. Jason and David provided enormous depth and insight to this from their experience in community and government and assisted us to hear where we would need to change to be more culturally safe. It was also important to design a culturally led process to recruit the person into the role, to make sure that it was clear and credible with the community. Jason and David oversaw this process in a way that drew a very impressive field of Aboriginal leaders. I highly recommend Thirriwirri to any public sector agency who is looking to examine themselves and is committed to make change, to better serve Aboriginal communities.”

- Janet Schorer, NSW Children’s Guardian, Office of the Children’s Guardian. 2020

“David and Jason brought a real depth of knowledge and expertise in First Nations recognition and engagement to support the development of the legislative framework for the Greater Sydney Parklands. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Thirriwirri to anyone.”

- Suellen Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Greater Sydney Parklands. 2021

“Jason Ardler from Thirriwirri has been an invaluable subject matter expert for Riverina Murray Regional Alliance's (RMRA) Ngunggiyalali Accord negotiations with the NSW Government.  Jason's knowledge and commitment to RMRA's Ngunggiyalali Accord process has empowered our Community Delegates to be heard and valued in these negotiations. I have witnessed the transformation of our RMRA Delegates from being not heard at the grassroots level to meeting with NSW Government officials and demanding a change in how they deliver services to the communities within the RMRA footprint. RMRA would have no hesitation in recommending Thirriwirri and Jason Ardler to any other Aboriginal community, or Organisation to support them in their future endeavours.”

- John Fernando, Chairperson, Riverina Murray Regional Alliance (RMRA). 2021

“We really value our professional relationship with David and Jason at Thirriwirri – both through formal partnership opportunities, and, even more valuable, the advice and support they provide to us. We welcomed the opportunity to partner with Thirriwirri to support the NSW Children’s Guardian with the critical appointment of the Deputy Children’s Guardian for Aboriginal and Young People at the Office of the Children’s Guardian. Our partnership enabled us to extend our network, and we also collaborated in designing a search and selection process that was accessible, engaging and personal, and which provided a positive candidate experience. We feel confident that we can pick up the phone to David and Jason at any time – they are highly collaborative, easy to work with and we really value their insight and judgement.”

- Felicity Stalley, Partner, Omera Partners. 2020

“David and Jason worked closely with School of Infrastructure NSW for several months to assist us in improving our approach to heritage management and Aboriginal community engagement. Their thoughtful and forthright review, coupled with their impactful advice has given SINSW an effective path forward. The Thirriwirri team have an impressive track record of delivery experience, both in the public and private sectors, and are well-placed to offer expert and practical insights in the heritage field. The team is always responsive and respectful, and we look forward to continuing to work with them into the future.”

— Erin Giuliani, Executive Director Business Enablement, School Infrastructure NSW 2021

“The People and Parks Foundation are proud and humbled to work in partnership with Traditional Owners in north-west Victoria on the protection and conservation of significant cultural landscapes. We engaged David to lead our project management, planning and community engagement for this sensitive and innovative work due to his expertise and leadership in land and heritage management. David ensured our partnership project progressed and work was achieved that hadn’t been achieved before. It was a pleasure to work with David, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone wanting to build partnerships with Traditional Owners and make a real impact in caring for Country.”

— Alison Hill, Managing Director - People and Parks Foundation

“At North Coast Local Land Services we were looking to improve our ability to more effectively engage Aboriginal stakeholders and their communities in land management decision making and in the delivery of our Traditional Owner led ‘Healthy Country’ priority program, as well as strengthen our ability to support Aboriginal members of staff in a culturally safe workplace.

The Thirriwirri team of David and Jason quickly developed a thorough understanding of our business environment and its Aboriginal engagement imperatives. Then, applying their deep knowledge of, and expertise with, local Aboriginal people, they guided our Executive Leadership Team through a thorough analysis of our strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Subsequently, David and Jason have presented us with a series of recommendations which provide us with the flexibility and innovation needed to drive our aspirations forward.”

— Grant Lewis, Business Manager, North Coast Local Land Services. 2021

“Thirriwirri helped to promote thoughtful conversations at the NFSA about our approach to Indigenous engagement, so it can be embedded into our everyday work. Thirriwirri consulting provided guidance to the NFSA on how we can implement meaningful changes in the organisation through our people and collaborative projects.

“Jason and David were terrific facilitators and staff feedback praised them for how accessible, supportive, open and experienced they were. 

“Through the Thirriwirri workshops we were able to discuss the NFSA’s role as trusted custodian of Indigenous heritage and culture, receive advice on how to best embed our Indigenous Strategy and how our work can further empower First Peoples.“

— Nancy Eyers, A/CEO, National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. 2020

“If you are looking for a consultant that speaks plainly, thinks outside the box and delivers a quality product, then Thirriwirri will not disappoint. Jason and David’s extensive experience and deep cultural connections to Aboriginal communities combine to create both a boutique and unique service in the consultancy sector.”

— Lou-Anne Lind, Senior Leadership Team, Environmental Protection Agency NSW 2021