Danjoo Koorliny: Working with Aboriginal Businesses

Dr. Walley is a Noongar man and one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal performers, musicians and writers. Richard is a working director of his family-owned business, Aboriginal Productions and Promotions, which delivers cultural awareness and learning programs and has been in operation for over 25 years.

Richard is a committed leader in promoting Noongar culture and has extensive experience working alongside Australian and international organisations as a cultural consultant and presenter. He is a designated State Living Treasure and the 2021 Western Australian Senior Australian of the Year.

As the Director of Aboriginal Engagement for the WA Transport Portfolio, Dennis’ vision right now is sharply focused on how the Aboriginal economy will look in 15 years — his mandate is to drive change and build a strong Aboriginal economy through government spending on state-wide Transport projects.

When Dennis was promoted to this position, it was the start of an immense period of change and transition at Main Roads WA as it harnessed technology-based solutions to meet the demands of Perth’s growing transport networks. Although he already had extensive leadership experience as the organisation’s Senior Aboriginal Engagement Advisor, taking on a larger portfolio and leading a team of 25 that would grow significantly over the next few years required a more strategic leadership approach.

The positive impact that Dennis and his team at Main Roads is having on the Aboriginal economy was recently recognised at the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) WA 2023 awards for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road Project. Main Roads and the Department of Training and Workforce Development collaborated with the Yaka Dandjoo Program, which offers free training and work placements to disadvantaged job seekers in the construction industry, to deliver a pipeline of skilled workers for the ring road — an initiative that was the first of its kind in WA.

As a proud Whadjuk-Yued Nyoongar man, being offered an electrical apprenticeship was a defining moment in Frank’s life. Determined to pay forward the same kind of opportunities and experiences that transformed his life, Frank and his teams have generated 60+ upskilling positions (within 8 years) for Aboriginal peoples in the electrical and construction industry across his three businesses: Wilco Electrical, Kardan Construction and Baldja.

To date, over $10M in contracts have been awarded to other Aboriginal owned businesses.  Some notable awards: Wilco secured national winner of electrical business of the year 2022 by Master Electricians Australia and national winner in leaders in diversity 2023 by National Electrical Communications Association. Both categories included businesses that turn over $500M+ per annum. Kardan was a national finalist for Telstra Best of Business Awards Indigenous Business 2022 and took out medium business winner by WA Business News the same year. Frank has also joined a rare cohort of being one of only 12 people to win WA Business News 40under40 award twice.

Ms Innes is a cultural advocate working in government, a mentor, consultant, board director and project manager. Carol is currently Co-Chair of Reconciliation Western Australia, board member North Metropolitan Health Service, board member Glass Jars (Netball WA), and is an advisory member to Kalamunda Arts Committee.

Carol has worked in not-for-profit organisations, arts and cultural organisations, state and federal government agencies, and Aboriginal-controlled community organisations. Carol is a certified trainer and assessor, facilitator and advocate of community cultural development.

Cat Holland is a Yamatji woman living on Noongar Country and a young leader, driving impactful initiatives that promote social change.

As Aboriginal Engagement Lead for Infrastructure WA, she is leading the development of the Aboriginal engagement approach for Western Australia’s (WA) next State Infrastructure Strategy to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are embedded. In her role implementing the Gnarla Biddi framework on METRONET projects, she drove outcomes for Aboriginal people through major infrastructure projects on the advice of the METRONET Noongar Reference Group leading to opportunities for Noongar cultural expression, Aboriginal businesses, and employment in the construction industry.

Cat’s collaborative approach extends through work with the Healthy Homelands Hub, Ngangk Yira Institute for Change, CSIRO’s Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity Project, and the Healthy Environment and Lives (HEAL) WA network.

As co-owner of Bilyarndi Studio, a 100% Aboriginal and female-owned photography business, Cat celebrates community resilience through visual storytelling. With a deep commitment to community-driven initiatives, Cat brings creativity, cultural sensitivity, and strategic expertise to her work.