Deadly Discussions

Bungandidj Man and Former Police Officer Nick Buenen unpacks his life as a brother who has walked and worked in two worlds.We discuss what it’s like to have parents and grandparents from the “mission” and to move from that environment at a young age.Nick shares about not identifying as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person when joining the police force. He eventually was found out by an aunty who spotted him playing in the local Indigenous football team.We finish discussing some crazy police stories, one involving Nick calling in a brother for some bush tracking, and Nick’s time working abroad.The pod concludes as we discuss current enterprise opportunities for Indigenous Australians, and some exploits people have been using to leverage this, and what can be done to stop this.

Model - Hairdresser - Frontman - Painter (trade) - Retail worker - Nurse Listen to find out how Josh turned all these experiences into the business he is today. The origins of Josh’s story begin with his Grandfather, a Palawa man moving from Tasmania to Queensland. Josh’s Grandfather, to remain under the radar, would often tell people he was eastern European as opposed to an Indigenous Australian and was quite private about culture. Josh’s father and uncles were and are very proud of their ancestral ties, which motivated connections with mob in Queensland. An accident befalls Dad at an early age and all Josh can really remember in those days is trauma, pain, domestic violence and moving around a lot. Josh would describe himself as a jack of all trades but unlike the cliché of being a master of none. Josh clearly displays authentic and rare artistic talent that has been shaped by life, love, and lost. This episode has jammed packed with goodies, nuggets of wisdom and some truly moving experiences.

Kaley Nicholson is the Co-Founder of Yilam. A sustainable camping brand that offers the highest quality camping gear and On Country tourism experiences. Yilam in Taungurung means camp. Kaley is connected to various tribes in Victoria and New South Wales, so she identifies as Koori, an Indigenous person from those areas.Kaley grew up in Swan Hill and migrated south to Geelong once she finished school. After sometime, the rest of the family came down too. Kaley and her mother had an off-the-cuff idea on one of their camping trips out On Country. This led to the founding of Yilam. The idea stuck and when they got home, Kaley got to work, using her policy background to shape up something doable.This mother and daughter team is one of a kind. They are inspiration on many levels. Starting a business with a middle-aged co-founder and no experience, dreaming big, and making financial changes for their family.

Kevin grew up between Adelaide and a township called Murray Bridge. He remembers vividly the challenges he faced as a young Aboriginal man just going with the flow. During his teen years, he was faced with a choice between hanging out with the “brothers” which could lead to trouble or listen to the advice of his father and leave.    Not knowing where to go, Kev headed back to his ancestor’s country to stay with his Nan. During this time, he was offered an opportunity (through a ranger’s program) to work with nurseries, which held a lot of Native Australian stock.    Kev shares the moment he knew he was called to work with Indigenous plants. Kev also outlines some characters along the journey that mentored him into being the Indigenous plants expert. One of those, a retired chemist who just turned up one day.  Today Kev is sought out by many Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian farmers needing cultural expertise with native plants. Kev currently works with Outback Academy's Follow the Flowers initiative where they help other farmers in the Murray Darling Basin, and across the southern regions of Australia.

Mick Buckworth married into the Yorta Yorta people in Shepparton, Victoria. Mick, a builder by trade, ended up working with the mob at Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative. For the last two decades, the Co-op focused its work on aged care, dental, GP and health programs to the First Nations community in North East of Victoria.Rumbalara, similar to other Indigenous Co-ops, has access to land, but are limited in capital and industry skills needed to develop country.This episode Mick shares about the unique ways in which the Co-op attracted funding, skills and even support from local farmers to kick start their Indigenous food growing business.Rumbalara is a part of the Follow the Flowers initiative who works with First Nation food growers across the country. The movement is open to all land tenure types, including Traditional Owner owned and jointly managed lands; Aboriginal community-controlled organisation (ACCO’s) lands/farms such as health cooperatives; and private, family-owned farms.

I sat down with David and Aunty Jeanette Crew to discuss their unique journey to owning their own farm in On Country. Aunty Jeanette, a Wemba Wemba woman, was forcibly relocated from the mission into town during her primary school years in the 60s. We discuss her take on first hand institutional racism. We also discuss what the economics were like for her family, who primarily worked in the shearing industry; and were paid at the same rates as their non-Aboriginal counterparts. After being “relocated”, the standard of living was drastically affected, but Aunty kept a passion for learning and a desire to do better. After studying and years working in public service, Aunty Jeanette decided it was time to return to Country. In the late 90s David and Jeanette purchased the Killara property in Deniliquin. They were the first to purchase land back on Country in their local area. So surprising that onlookers assumed they had been given the land by the government. More recently, Killara has joined in partnership with the Outback Academy’s program called Follow the Flowers, which works alongside the Government and private sector to fund Indigenous growers to maximise their growing capacities. With support from the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program, David and Aunty Jeanette have the much needed industry experience for turning their plot of land into a sanctuary for bees, pollinating endemic native floral, fauna, and bush foods.  They have named the farm Pandyil Farm in honour of the industrious Murray Cod.

Luke Fallini, a Quandamooka man with Italian heritage from SE Queensland, Australia, joins me on the podcast.A builder by trade, with a passion for football (of course). Shares his not so typical upbringing as an Indigenous Australian with an Italian father.We touch on the rental crisis in QLD, and Luke shares his unique construction business that is offering a new model for social housing. Luke also sits on the board for an Aboriginal Housing organisation as an interim board member. He shares some of the unique challenges facing Aboriginal housing organisations.

What an inspiring episode this was! Alana Kennedy is a Waanyi Kalkatungu woman from North Queensland. Raised by her Non-Indigenous mother in Mt Isa. Alana understood there was something a little different with her family. Knowing her heritage without “knowing” it was something she grew accustomed to. Alana’s mother set the standard for work ethic and encouraged the kids to always have a try. With such an amazing example before her, Alana set out to find out more about her culture (oldest living) and the world around her.The visionary origins of Alana’s business Orche Sun began in MLM. After years of success, she gradually lost interest in pursuing a “better” life, simply cause. Alana craved something, but didn’t know what it was. Another factor leading to the brands inception was Alana’s clients who were mainly women complained their husbands stole their products. The Husbands excuse, “well men’s products aren’t as good”.Fast forward to today. Alana has combined her passion for cosmetics, her love for native botanicals and care for community into the brand known as Orche Sun. Come and listen.

Cory is the founder of Meat Brothers, a food truck that had evolved into a shipping container cafe. A Kamilaroi and Wonnarua Man from New South Wales, Cory shares the importance of having powerful women in his family. It was his matriarchs and siblings that always pushed him outside of his comfort zones. This came in handy for Cory and Meat Brothers during the COVID waves that hit NSW. Cory was forced to navigate the business out of the “bush food” food truck business and into a more mainstream cafe working out of a shipping container on a busy construction site. Learning how to ask yourself the hard questions has been so important to Cory’s growth as a cook and businesses owner.

If you feel yourself stuck in a rut or unable to break out of negative environments, Cory’s story is for you.

Dunghutti Man, Mervyn Fernando joins me on the podcast. Mervyn grew up in Kempsey NSW. After losing his mother at a young age, Mervyn was raised by his father. Growing up as a young Koori boy On Country Mervyn faced the typical obstacles facing our young men. Which not much work around and lots of reasons to get in trouble. Brother boy Mervyn took a random chance at a job on the other side of the Country, far away from Dunghutti culture and lore. From cleaning oil rig pipes to harvesting sandalwood in the Simpson Desert. Mervyn’s journey has certainly not been a straight path. Today Mervyn is a young dad with two successful growing brands, Claystone Marketing and Indigenous Medical Supplies, he is a NFP board member and active community member.Come, sit and listen to the story of Mervyn Fernando, Indigenous entrepreneur.