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.
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.
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.
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.
Some of the recent outcomes achieved by ABSTARR include:
See the results page for a full list of the change ABSTARR Consulting leads.
Gregory Phillips is from the Waanyi and Jaru Aboriginal Australian peoples, and comes from Cloncurry and Mount Isa.
Gregory 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 leading 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.
Tanja is a Jaru and Bunuba Aboriginal woman who was born in Mount Isa and has lived extensively throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory. Tanja is a registered clinical psychologist and has a Bachelor of Science with majors in psychology and human resource management (double degree). She has extensive policy and service experience in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing sector.
Tanja is Director, Wellbeing at ABSTARR Consulting and brings expertise from her extensive experience in social and emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention and intergenerational trauma, spanning across the therapeutic, community health and government sectors.
Temira Dewis is a Kaantju, Othalganu and Ayapathu woman from central and east coast of Cape York in Queensland. Temira holds a degree in commerce majoring in management, accounting and human resource management.
Temira is the Director of Strategy of ABSTARR Consulting and has extensive experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, and the Queensland and Victorian public sectors enabling change reforms, and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, perspectives and cultural safety in policy and practices.
Steve Lambert is a non-Aboriginal fulla with family heritage from The Netherlands, and was born and grew up in the Illawarra region of NSW.
Steve is a teacher and educator who has worked in medical and health education for more than 20 years. He completed a PhD in Public Health in 2014 that had a focus on sexual risk and behaviour in the Australian Defence Force and holds a Master’s in Public Health and a Bachelor of Education.
Steve is the Director of Projects at ABSTARR Consulting and brings expertise in project management, education, Public Health, medical education, accreditation and standards, assessment, and evaluation to this role.
Casey Bird is a Juru and Wulgurukaba man who was born in Roma, Queensland. Casey has a Bachelor of Psychological Science with a major in philosophy. He is a youth specialist with significant front-line experience, and a strong understanding of the range of human and social service systems that impact the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, their families and communities.
Casey is a Consultant with ABSTAR Consulting and brings to the role his extensive knowledge and skills in designing, monitoring and reviewing the implementation of public policy and strategy.
Indi Clarke is a Mutti Mutti, Wemba Wemba, Boon Wurrung, Trawlwoolway and Lardil man born in Naarm (Melbourne) on Wurundjeri Country. He comes to ABSTARR after an extremely successful and effective tenure as Executive Officer at the Koorie Youth Council in Victoria, having overseen the development and production of game-changing initiatives in youth justice, participation, education and wellbeing.
Indi is a Consultant with ABSTARR Consulting and a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the power of strength-based approaches, and Aboriginal knowledge systems.
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.
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.
Katrina Newnham has an Anglo-Celtic background and was born and raised on the lands of the Wurrundjeri people in Naarm (Melbourne, Vic). She has a Master of Health Science (Health Promotion) and a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology. Katrina has extensive experience in private, government, not-for-profit and tertiary education sectors. Katrina has previously worked in diversity and inclusion and as Project Manager for the Commonwealth funded Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP).
Katrina is Executive Officer at ABSTARR Consulting, bringing expertise in strategic thinking, project management and change management to the role.
“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.”
