Cultural humility: Not all knowledge is yours to hold
During a recent review of the Koori Maternity Services (KMS) Guidelines, I posed the question: “How do the KMS Guidelines align with broader maternity care standards?”
There was a pause. Then one KMS midwife responded, “What if we turn that around and ask: how do broader maternity standards align with Aboriginal ways of doing things?”
It was a quiet correction, but a sharp one. My question carried an unexamined assumption: that Western systems define the benchmark, and everything else is measured in relation to that. That moment made something clearer for me: if you assume your position is the default you’re performing authority, not practising cultural humility.
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Investing in Impact: Why Karabena’s Work is Value for Money
At Karabena Consulting, we often hear: “Your prices are…high.”
Our answer is: yes, resoundingly so.
Our work delivers measurable social and economic return on investment (ROI). Not just in outputs, but in real, lasting change. We centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, drive policy reform, and build community capacity. This creates a ripple effect of impact that extends far beyond the life of a project.
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Unlearning: The Hidden Work of Cultural Safety
We’ve all done it, clicked through a cultural awareness module on autopilot at double speed, skimmed a few facts, maybe even jumped straight to the quiz. Job done, right? You’re now culturally aware
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Reframing Risk-Taking in Driving: A Strengths-Based Approach to Road Safety
Road safety is a critical issue for all communities, yet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth face unique systemic and intergenerational barriers that influence their approach to driving. Too often, risk-taking in driving is viewed as a deficit, rather than a natural developmental process that can be channelled into structured, positive pathways for skill development.
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Decolonising Research and Evaluation: The Power of Peer Researchers
Peer researchers shift the power dynamics in research, ensuring that those most affected by the outcomes have a direct voice in shaping them. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it’s a way of reclaiming narratives and embedding cultural values into methodologies. It methodology with self-determination at its heart.
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Decolonising Research and Evaluation: Karabena’s position on research and evaluation reports involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Karabena emphasises conducting culturally safe and ethical research that prioritises the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. By blending traditional research methodologies with narrative-driven insights, the organisation aims to humanise evaluations and foster meaningful, human-centred decision-making.
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Truth-telling, healing, and the power of reconnection: Reflections from the Stolen Generations
For Senior Consultant Associate Sharon Pittaway, working on the Link-Up Victoria project was an incredibly moving and enlightening experience. The program’s dedication to supporting members of the Stolen Generations as they reconnect with family, country, and culture brought into sharp focus the deep need for truth-telling and healing within Australia.
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Unlocking the Power of Co-Design: Transforming Ideas into Impactful Solutions
Co-design is a collaborative process is transforming the way organisations, governments, and communities work together to create solutions that truly resonate with those they aim to serve. At Karabena Consulting, we believe co-design is more than just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer that brings together diverse voices to create impact by design.
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Championing Inclusion and Diversity: Derek Villaceran’s Journey to Karabena Consulting
Australia is home to so many different people and cultures, making inclusion and diversity so important on so many levels. Junior Consultant Associate Derek reflects on diversity and inclusion, and how his previous experience has prepared him for working at Karabena Consulting on reviewing the Victorian Disability Worker Commission’s policies and developing cultural awareness training modules
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Breaking the Silence: Shifting the Focus in Perinatal Mental Health Screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Parents
"When I was first pregnant, my mother told me not to talk about my mental health with anyone." This powerful quote set the tone for Senior Consultant, Sharon Pittaway's presentation to the Victorian Branch of PANDA last week. As we mark Perinatal Mental Health Week (Nov 17-23), it’s timely to reflect on key findings from our consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents on their experiences with perinatal mental health screening.
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Reflecting on the Impact of Sorry Day
Explore the significance of Sorry Day in acknowledging and addressing past injustices towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At Karabena Consulting, we have been actively working towards healing through several projects working directly with Stolen Generations survivors and their families. Currently, we are working with Link-Up Victoria and VACCA to undertake consultations into the needs and aspirations of Stolen Generations survivors and their families living in Victoria and Tasmania.
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Reflecting on a Meaningful Start to WDA Conference 2024 in Wagga Wagga
Recently Karabena participated in an incredible launch for the Wildlife Disease Association Conference 2024 on Wiradjuri Country in NSW. 'RESPECT', was a unique launch event which celebrated and centred Wiradjuri First Nations culture, and reflected on what those working in conservation, One Health and the environment might learn from the Wiradjuri ways of yindyamarra and gulbali ngurambang.
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Reflecting on the Impact of Karabena Consulting's Collaboration with St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
With gratitude and mutual admiration, the partnership between Karabena Consulting and St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) draws to a close, leaving behind a trail of accomplishments and shared experiences.
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Celebrating Indigenous Business Month at Karabena Consulting
As Indigenous Business Month has come to a close, it's time to reflect on the achievements and initiatives that have taken place at Karabena Consulting throughout this important month.
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Aunty Janet's Artistic Journey: Engaging with the Coast and Exploring Human Connection with the Land
Aunty Janet Turpie - Johnston, a distinguished Aboriginal artist, scholar and Elder, offers an exploration of human connection to the land in her latest series of paintings at Mullum Mullum Blak Arts Exhibition and allowed us to video her providing EMPHN Community Forum participants an explanation of her works.
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Empowering Families: The Success of Family Preservation and Reunification Response Evaluation
As an Indigenous woman-owned and led consulting company based in Melbourne, Australia, our mission at Karabena Consulting is deeply rooted in improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Recently, we had the incredible opportunity to work on a project funded by the Centre for Evaluation and Research Evidence (CERE). We were tasked with evaluating the Family Preservation and Reunification Response Phase 2 program, a vital initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable families and children. Today, we are thrilled to share the successes and insights we gained during this transformative evaluation.
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Healing Wounds, Honoring Voices: Karabena Consulting and the City of Melbourne Unite for the Stolen Generations Marker
In a powerful collaboration, Karabena Consulting, a 100% Indigenous-owned company in Australia, partnered with the City of Melbourne to embark on a momentous project - the Stolen Generations Marker. This significant initiative aimed to recognize truth-telling, share Aboriginal culture, and acknowledge the experiences of dispossession, fostering healing and reconciliation within Melbourne and beyond.
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Journey Towards the Commonwealth Games Reconciliation Action Plan: Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
The Commonwealth Games presented a unique opportunity to facilitate a change in the relationship between the Commonwealth and First Nations people. The intangible benefits could have included pride, access, reduced racism in regional Victoria, increased business opportunities with the increased visitor economy and promoting culture to Australia and the world.
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Tender Success: Evaluation of the first Dhelk Dja 3-Year Action Plan (2019-2022)
We are thrilled to announce that Karabena Consulting has emerged as the successful tenderer for the evaluation of the first Dhelk Dja 3-Year Action Plan (2019-2022). Our rich history and expertise as an Aboriginal service provider make us an ideal partner to evaluate this significant initiative by the Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing (DFFH).
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