About
Gregory Phillips established ABSTARR in 2007 to lead change.
CHANGE
We lead change by facilitating transformational growth in culturally safe environments.
For example, we are working with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to ensure 670 000 health professionals understand and enact their roles in patient safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
EXCELLENCE
We deliver excellence in strategic thought leadership, critical analysis and communications.
For example, we are working with the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet to ensure self-determination for Aboriginal peoples is real and respectful as they begin steps to negotiating a treaty with the First Peoples.
CLARITY
We bring clarity and confidence to those who want to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
For example, we are working with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Ltd to ensure their strategic vision is realised.
What problem do we solve?
Many groups have taken positive steps towards inclusion in service delivery (eg Indigenous flags and artwork, RAPs, employment strategies & NAIDOC Week activities), yet many organisations and programs are still not producing excellence.
We help you understand the structural and human factors at work in your organisation by using the best evidence, razor-sharp analysis and crystal clear strategic thinking to get you optimal results.
ABSTARR guarantees a professional approach at all times, is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated consulting business, and is certified with Supply Nation.
Outcomes
Some of the recent outcomes achieved by ABSTARR include:
- Producing a strong definition and rationale for self-determination in Korin Korin Balit-Djak – the new Victorian Aboriginal Health, Wellbeing and Safety Strategy
- Clarifying the thinking of the Queensland Department of Communities and the Department of Attorney General in relation to issues of cultural safety, whiteness, and power-sharing
- Working with the professions of medicine, nursing, psychology, dentistry and others to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is addressed in curricula, training and accreditation
- Facilitating Griffith University’s strategic plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in their medical courses
- Development of The Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s Statement of Intent
See the results page for a full list of the change ABSTARR Consulting leads.
ABSTARR Team
Prof. Gregory Phillips
Chief Executive Officer
Gregory Phillips is Waanyi and Jaru, and comes from Cloncurry and Mount Isa. He has worked in healing, addictions recovery, youth leadership, medical education, philanthropy, health workforce reform and regulation, and Aboriginal affairs more generally.
He has a PhD (‘Dancing With Power: Aboriginal Health, Cultural Safety and Medical Education’), a research master’s degree in medical science (‘Addictions and Healing in Aboriginal Country’; published as a book in 2003), and a bachelor degree in arts (Aboriginal Studies and Government majors).
He is a change maker, thought leader and medical anthropologist. He leads change in cultural safety, race relations and decolonisation.
Gregory is a Professor of First People’s Health in the School of Medicine at Griffith University and is the Chief Executive Officer of ABSTARR Consulting. Gregory also chairs the Ebony Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Institute.
Temira Dewis
Deputy CEO
Temira Dewis is a proud Kaantju, Uutaalnganu, and Ayapathu woman from the central and east coast regions of Cape York, Queensland. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce with triple majors in Management, Accounting, and Human Resource Management.
Temira is currently completing a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health, bringing together disciplines that inform her strategic, systems level approach to social and cultural change.
As Director of Strategy at ABSTARR Consulting, she leads transformative work focused on decolonisation, cultural safety, and self-determination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Temira has extensive experience across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, as well as in senior roles within the Queensland and Victorian public sectors. Her career is defined by a commitment to structural reform, the advancement of First Nations governance, and embedding cultural authority and Indigenous knowledges into mainstream policy and practice.
She holds multiple board appointments and is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI), CPA Australia (Associate), and the Australian Evaluation Society. Temira is deeply committed to First Nations led solutions that centre cultural authority, healing, and intergenerational strength.
Dr Leda Barnett
Director, Wellbeing
Leda’s paternal family’s history is intertwined with the Stolen Generation, with connections to the Bathern family from Beetaloo station. Leda is a counselling psychologist with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) titled ‘First Australian Holistic Health: Development of a Multi-Dimensional Model of Suicidal Ideation and Suicide-Related Behaviour’ and an education degree.
Leda has researched and worked extensively in areas including chronic disease, social and emotional wellbeing, disability and preventing suicide. Leda has also contributed to enhancing the cultural competence of psychologists and other health professionals by creating training programs through the Australian Psychological Society and with the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association.
Merinda Dickson
General Manager
Merinda is a proud Kungarakan Warumungu woman born and raised in Boorloo (Perth) on Whadjuk Noongar country, but now resides on Kombumerri country in South-East Queensland. With a multifaceted career spanning various industries, Merinda brings management experience in general business, programs, and projects across the SME and the community sectors.
Her deep passion for building strong partnerships and creating opportunities that foster inclusive and supportive environments underscore her commitment to achieving positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As the Practice Manager of Well@Work, Merinda is responsible for the daily operations and efficient delivery of Well@Work’s service provisions all while upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values.
Elle Richards
Consultant
Elle is a Kamilaroi woman from Larrakia country living in Naarm (Melbourne) on Wurundjeri country. Enriched by a broad spectrum of experience across industry, Elle is successfully establishing herself as a highly regarded integrator in the First Nations space. Over her career, she has established and nurtured robust connections with First Nations leaders and communities across Australia. In her present role as a consultant with ABSTARR, Elle is actively involved in establishing and implementing sustainable community development strategies, working collaboratively with both clients and First Nations communities.
Elle offers professional counsel on a variety of topics, such as First Nations economic growth, cultural revitalisation, knowledge sharing and community engagement. Elle possesses expertise in steering community-oriented planning and design, and is deeply dedicated to ensuring that the viewpoints and voices of the First Nations community are recognised and integrated into decision-making processes demonstrating an unwavering commitment to amplifying First Nations voices. Elle has a Master of Arts and Cultural Management, a Bachelor of Arts and is a Qualified Primary School Teacher. Elle is currently studying a Master of Indigenous Business Leadership. Elle is also a member of the Australian Institute for Company Directors.
Oliver Tye
Consultant
Ollie is a Wardandi Noongar man from Ngunnawal Country, Canberra with connection to the south-west of Western Australia. Ollie holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Anthropology and has worked in policy and strategy across government, community control and the NGO sector. He has worked with grassroots programs and practice right through to high level policy and strategy to make enduring change.
Ollie is a Consultant at ABSTARR Consulting and is heavily influenced by strong community mentors and is motivated by a keen interest in philosophy, politics and history as they apply to the place of First Nations in Australia and the world. Ollie takes a relational approach to problem solving and strategy aimed at producing cultural shifts in both people and structures.
Priscilla West
Project Coordinator
Priscilla is a Kalkadoon – Djaku-nde woman from Cloncurry/Mount Isa. Priscillas’ strong sense of leadership, advocacy and cultural respect comes from her family’s teachings. Priscilla was raised by incredibly strong First Nations Matriarchs – In particular her mum Karen West. Priscilla feels a sense of responsibility to be a leader in the community and carry on her family’s legacy. She aims to merge the knowledge bestowed upon her by her ancestors with Western practices to support positive social, economic, and cultural outcomes.
Priscilla has over 30 years of experience in influencing change through her various roles including her role as a First Nations Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Senior Specialist at Telstra.
Nathan King
Practice Coordinator
Nathan King, a proud Gunditjmara (South-West Vic) and Bundjalung (North Coast NSW/South Coast QLD) man, is the eldest grandson of Stolen Generation survivor Myrtle Roach (elder sister of Archie Roach). Inspired by their stories of struggle and triumph, he is driven to improve the lives of his people.
Nathan now resides in Canberra but maintains strong ties to Melbourne and the Victorian Aboriginal community. Holding a Bachelor’s in Psychological Studies (majoring in Organisational Psychology), he has worked across diverse sectors including Government policy, and recently in National mental health policy and vaping reform within the Department of Health and Aged Care and Therapeutic Goods Administration, respectively.
Roianne West
Abstarr Associate
Professor Roianne West (BNurs, MMHNurs, PhD, PFHEA, MAICD)
A descendent of the Kalkadunga and Djkunde Peoples from Queensland, a mother, and a grandmother. Prof. West’s pioneering work commenced as an Aboriginal Health worker over 30 years ago but in many ways began generations before. Prof. West’s work builds on a family legacy, cultural and intellectual inheritance and intergenerational knowledge that spans four generations of Aboriginal nurses and a long line of healers. The last 10 years of Professor Wests careers has been in Higher Education. In 2020 Professor West was awarded a prestigious Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (UK) in recognition of her personal and institutional commitment to the professionalism of Aboriginal health learning and teaching in Higher Education. Highlights include leading the design and development of the following training programs: –
- Yuwahn Wupin Aboriginal Health and Cultural Safety (2019) Griffith University
- Moong-moong-gak: Cultural Safety (2019) Ahpra
- Murra Mullangari: Introduction to Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility E-learning program for practising Nurses (2020) CATSINaM
- Cultural Safety Training for accreditation contributors (2024) HPACF
Currently works as the inaugural Aboriginal Professor of Nursing at the Sydney University Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Founder and CEO of First Nations Nursing and Midwifery Consulting and proud Associate with Abstarr consulting bringing her expertise and experience to lead change by facilitating transformational growth in culturally safe environments.
Eugenia Flynn
Abstarr Associate
Eugenia Flynn is a Larrakia, Tiwi, Chinese Malaysian and Muslim woman who grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. She has extensive experience working with her multiple communities across government and the not-for-profit sector, including with the Ebony Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Institute. As a writer and academic, she has been published widely on topics such as Indigenous politics and affairs, race and whiteness, gender and feminism, and arts and culture.
Within the arts and cultural sector, Eugenia has most recently worked with Australia’s national museum of screen culture ACMI, Ilbijerri Theatre Company and Peril Magazine. Eugenia is a Consultant at ABSTARR Consulting.
Jump up and travel with the light…
In the dreaming, before there was any light, two young fellas were walking along in the dark. One decided to stay in the dark, and one chose to jump up and travel with the light. That’s you… shooting star. You decided to jump up and travel with the light.”