Mundanara’s cultural heritage is connected to the Wonnarua and Bunjalung people on her mother’s side and the Birri-Gubba and Gungalu on her father’s side. Mundanara grew up in Redfern NSW with her 8 sisters and moved to her father’s country in the early 90’s. Coming from a family that has been active in the Aboriginal movement since the 60s and 70s she continues to follow their example. As a proud advocate for her people, she follows in her father’s footsteps and aims to make a positive contribution.
She has more than 20 years’ experience, working for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations in NSW and QLD, including but not limited to, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the Salvation Army Employment Plus, Busy at Work, the Child Support Agency, the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), and Brisbane Indigenous Media Association. Mundanara won the Indigenous Businesswoman of the year at the Supply Nations Supplier Diversity Awards 2023. Mundanara is the host of the award winning podcast, Black Magic Woman which is the first indigenous podcast to join the iHeart network.
Mundanara has been recognised internationally for her teaching & learning skills as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) in the United Kingdom, and has formal qualifications in the disciplines of media, business, assessment and training.
Mundanara is on several committees and boards, including but not limited to, the Aboriginal & Islander Independent Community School also known as The Murri School; Philanthropy Australia’s First Nations Governance Committee; Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) advisor for AGL; Founding Director of The Land Back Foundation, Founder of Deadly Futures Indigenous Corperation, Visiting fellow of QUT’s Learning and Teaching Unit. Mundanara is currently studying a Masters of Indigenous Business Leadership at Monash University, with a podcast partnership with Monash Business School.
Mundanara is the Managing Director/ Co-Founder and workshop facilitator of the BlackCard Pty Ltd, which is a 100% Aboriginal owned business certified with Supply Nation. Mundanara co-founded BlackCard with Dr Lilla Watson, who is a respected Aboriginal elder, artist, educator and long-time course developer. BlackCard is a specialist consultancy providing cultural capability training and consultancy services to enable people and organisations to work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community. BlackCard’s purpose is working with people, not for people, with the genius of Aboriginal Knowledge.
Yarraka descends from the Wonnarua and Bundjalung nations of NSW on her mother’s side and the Birri Gubba and Gungalu nations of QLD on her fathers side.
She was born on Gadigal country in Sydney and grew up in Redfern in the 80’s then moved to Brisbane in the early 90’s where she now resides with her 3 children and grand daughter who were all born on Yuggera country in South Brisbane.
Yarraka has over 20 years experience working in both Indigenous and non Indigenous organisations throughout NSW and QLD and has won awards for her art and media achievements.
With an immense passion for education, Yarraka enjoys working with children and imparting knowledge on to the next generation, having worked for Brisbane Catholic Education and delivering cultural workshops at numerous schools and child care centres around South East Queensland.
Renee is a proud Wiradjuri woman with cultural and ancestral ties to Erambie, Cowra, NSW. Born on Darug Country in Western Sydney and raised in Mt Druitt, Renee moved to Redfern on Gadigal Country where she resides with her partner and first baby.
Renee has extensive experience across Government, Corporate, Non-Government and Community Controlled organisations at a State-wide and National level, predominantly focusing on developing and delivering policies across Aboriginal Affairs in NSW. Renee has a lived experience in the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights movement and extensive knowledge working with Aboriginal communities to achieve systemic and legislative reforms.
Renee was previously the Policy Director of Aboriginal Affairs and Regional Youth for the NSW Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts, Regional Youth & Tourism.
Through Renee’s professional and personal experiences, she strives to empower individuals through education and advocacy, by creating pathways and tangible outcomes to allow all to succeed.