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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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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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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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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