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Shared Journeys and Remote Possibilities

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I am a freelance professional consultant working from home most of the time in the Great Southern. I took a voluntary redundancy from Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation (PTAC) at the end of 2022 and set up my consulting business. I will be updating this web site soon on the professional services I offer and my capabilities. But to cut a long story short I am a project manager and heritage consultant, specializing in remote community work and Indigenous engagement. The Spinifex People and the Tjuntjuntjara community have been a big part of this engagement since the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Tjuntjuntjara is located 680km north-east of Kalgoorlie on the Spinifex Lands in the Great Victoria Desert region of WA. It is a very remote Aboriginal community and, like many others, self-determining and community controlled. It is home to the Spinifex people, around 180-200 Pitjantjatjara speakers, or Anangu [lit. the people] as they are referred to in Spinifex Country. Anangu are the best cultural mentors and educators and look after their culture on country for future generations. 

Since taking a voluntary redundancy from PTAC in 2022, I set up my business to work with clients on a fee-for-service basis, focusing on grant writing and working in areas that align with my skills as a project manager, administrator and cultural heritage anthropologist doing heritage surveys. I find the flexibility of working freelance and managing my own time creates the time and space to do more writing – hence this site and many of the blog posts here. I track my time using the Harvest time tracking and reporting software, including the work I do for PTAC and Central Desert Native Title services. Both organisations are wonderful to work with and share a commitment to the people and clients they serve.

As a Fellow of the Australian Anthropological Society (AAS) and specialist in Indigenous affairs I want to share some of the things I have learned. I support the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as a worthy and significant step in the reconciliation process. 

I also like to focus on solutions and strength-based approach to change management. A colleague once told me that a problem is just a challenge dressed in work clothing. That sentiment captures my work philosophy and I apply the principle every day when engaging with clients and community members.

Contributors

Graham Townley

Anthropologist
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Wariyalta acknowledges all Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia.

We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection to land, place, waters and community. We pay our respects to them, their heritage and cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Wariyalta wishes to advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that this website may contain the names and/or images of people who have since passed away.

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