Mundanara Bayles
Managing Director
The Black Card
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 18 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. She is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), 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 Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation Reference Committee (committee reports to the Minister for Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games); The Aboriginal & Islander Independent Community School also known as The Murri School; Queensland Tourism Industry Council Indigenous Employment Champions Network; and QUT’s Indigenous Education, Research and Employment Committee (IEREC).
Mundanara is the Managing Director and co-founder of The Australian BlackCard Pty Ltd (BlackCard), which is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated 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. Mundanara’s work is agile, partnership-based, and crosses multiple organisational borders. She brings people along with her through her inclusive and collaborative approach.
Cameron Harvey
Qld Regional Manager
Niche Environment & Heritage
Cameron Harvey is an experienced cultural heritage professional with a background in historical archaeology and non-indigenous cultural heritage management in Queensland, having worked in these fields for over 20 years. Cameron spent over a decade working in senior heritage conservation and management roles within the State’s Environmental Protection Agency, where he developed skills in the identification, assessment and management of places with significant heritage values. As long-time Brisbane resident, he has a keen interest in growing the recognition and exploration of our often unique archaeological heritage. Since he established specialist consulting firm Niche Environment and Heritage’s Queensland business in 2012, with his team of heritage and environmental specialists, he has been involved in the identification, management and conservation of Brisbane’s and our State’s rich history and heritage. Currently, Cameron is involved in the Cross River Rail Project where Niche’s recent archaeological excavations have revealed some fascinating finds that provide amazing insights into Brisbane’s past including its original Chinatown, an early pub on the corner of Mary and Albert Streets, the old Woolloongabba Rail Depot and Yards and more.
Margaret Cook
Lecturer in History
Sunshine Coast University
Dr Margaret Cook is a history lecturer at the University of Sunshine Coast and holds Honorary Research Fellow positions at La Trobe University and University of Queensland. She has been a freelance historian for many years, working in the heritage, museum, government and private sectors and publishing on numerous topics. She holds a PhD in history from the University of Queensland and her current research interests include natural disasters, water politics, and floods. Her recent books are ‘A River with a City Problem: A History of Brisbane Floods’ and an edited collection, ‘Disasters in Australia and New Zealand: Historical Approaches to Understanding Catastrophe’.
Thom Blake
Historian
Thom Blake is a Brisbane based heritage consultant and professional historian. He has extensive experience in undertaking cultural heritage projects in Queensland including conservation management plans, regional and local surveys, state wide surveys, thematic studies and heritage impact statements. He has appeared as an expert witness in the Planning and Environment Court. Thom has PhD in history from the University of Queensland. His thesis “A dumping ground: a history of the Barambah Aboriginal Settlement” was subsequently published by the University of Queensland Press in in 2002 won NSW Premiers History Award: State Records prize. In 2014 he was awarded the John Oxley Library Fellowship to research the history of the Great Artesian Basin.
Chair: Loretta Ryan
Radio Presenter
ABC Brisbane
With over 30 years experience in the media industry, ABC Radio Breakfast is in very safe hands with Loretta Ryan and her co-host Craig Zonca. Loretta grew up in Brisbane, and started in radio at the age of 17, and her experience in the media also extends to television presenting and reporting. A passionate Queenslander, and a rugby league tragic, and a former aerobics instructor, Loretta can’t wait to spend her weekday Breakfasts with you.
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Image credit Amee Catt