- Overview
- Pilot Delivery – Central Queensland (In progress)
- Pilot Delivery – Central Victoria (In progress)
Project Description
This project strengthens cultural awareness and engagement across Australia’s forestry sector through locally led approaches. It pilots two implementation models, delivered via education, training and consultation in:
- Central Queensland: Cultural agility training model.
- Central Victoria: On-Country cultural training model.
This project is a practical step toward a more inclusive and culturally respectful forestry industry. It supports long-term change by empowering First Nations communities to participate in and help shape the future of forestry in Australia.
Timeline
October 2025 – December 2026
Lead Organisations
Contacts
Regional Economic Solutions (Pilot Region – Central Queensland)
Leann Wilson
Managing Director | Regional Economic Solutions
leann.wilson@resteam.com
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation | Djaara (Pilot Region – Central Victoria)
Oli Moraes
Galk-galk Dhelkunya (Forest Gardening) Program Manager | Djaara
Oli.Moraes@djadjawurrung.com.au
The Central Queensland pilot is testing a culturally grounded approach to strengthening cultural capability and engagement between the forestry industry and First Nations communities.
Regional Economic Solutions leads the pilot, which integrates Cultural Agility training and the Moon-da-gatta Wisdom Yarning process to build shared understanding and inform the co-design of locally relevant micro-credentials with potential for national application.
Following two postponements, initially due to sorry business in Cherbourg and subsequently due to insufficient industry participation, a two-day Cultural Agility training was conducted in Brisbane on 27 and 28 July 2026. Although originally scheduled for Cherbourg, the training was relocated to Brisbane to facilitate broader industry participation. However, this change inadvertently created barriers to participation for First Nations community representatives. Targeted engagement with industry networks and partner organisations resulted in 15 participants attending the training.
Preliminary participant feedback indicates an improved understanding of the historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, greater confidence in engaging with First Nations perspectives, and a commitment to applying these insights within forestry contexts. One participant has initiated mapping of forestry areas and relevant Traditional Owners, demonstrating early workplace application. Formal survey results and follow-up findings will inform the project’s next phase, Which Way Now?
Facilitated by the Moon-da-gatta Wisdom Yarning process, the Which Way Now? session is scheduled for late September 2026. This session will convene First Nations community and industry stakeholders to identify priorities and guide the development of the proposed micro-credential and supporting resources.
Cultural Agility Training for the Forestry Sectors: A Pilot Project in Central Queensland
This pilot builds on existing and new training and consultation models to strengthen cultural awareness and engagement within the forestry sector. The pilot is delivered in Central Queensland, focusing on the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council area.
Why It Matters
Australia’s forests are deeply connected to the cultural heritage, identity, and stewardship of First Nations peoples. This project is a practical step toward a more inclusive and culturally respectful forestry industry. By fostering genuine partnerships and co-designed training, it empowers First Nations communities to participate in and help shape the future of forestry in Australia.
Pilot Phases
Phase 1: Listening to Understand
Engage with local stakeholders to scope the project.
Facilitate community discussions using the Moon-da-gatta Wisdom Yarning Process.
Seek consent to work in the Country and begin relationship-building with First Nations communities.
Phase 2: Cultural Agility Training & Knowledge Sharing
Deliver a two-day Cultural Agility training pilot for 15–25 participants, co-designed with First Nations representatives.
Day 1: Explore the legislative and administrative history impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Day 2: Co-create aspirations for a localised Cultural Agility micro-credential framework – Dreaming Big.
Document and share insights with participants.
Phase 3: Which Way Now
Return to Cherbourg to reconnect with participants and continue the Yarning process.
Refine and prioritise community aspirations to shape a sustainable Cultural Agility training model.
Phase 4: Report Development & Stakeholder Review
Draft a comprehensive report outlining findings and the proposed micro-credential framework.
Present the report to the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and pilot participants for feedback.
Finalise the report incorporating stakeholder input.
Phase 5: Long-Term Implementation & Expansion
Develop a strategic plan to expand the training model beyond Central Queensland.
Create a roadmap for integrating Cultural Agility into national forestry training and professional development programs.
Identify potential partnerships with educational institutions and training providers.
Pilot Participants
- First Nations community representatives from Central Queensland, who will help shape and deliver culturally safe knowledge.
- Forestry and timber processing business representatives from Central Queensland, who are committed to cultural safety.
The Central Victoria pilot delivered a Traditional Owner-led cultural awareness and engagement program for forestry professionals over three training days in the first half of 2026.
DJAARA led the program, with support from DUMAWUL. The program integrated cultural competence training in Bendigo, an On-Country Forest Gardening field trip, and a visit to DJAARA Timbers.
The cultural competence training engaged 32 participants from 13 organisations. Fourteen participants also attended the site-visit component.
Evaluation findings demonstrate substantial improvements in participants’ understanding of Djaara culture, Country, governance, and cultural protocols. Participants reported greater confidence in engaging respectfully with Traditional Owners and expressed a strong intention to apply cultural knowledge in forestry planning and practice. Participants identified on-Country immersion, Traditional Owner-led facilitation, and integrating theoretical and practical experience as the most effective program elements.
Early impacts are anticipated to include changes in internal organisational discussions, greater consideration of Traditional Owner perspectives and increased recognition of structural barriers to participation and shared decision-making.
A proposed five-year implementation plan has been developed to guide potential expansion through tiered training, facilitator development, industry and policy integration, and long-term partnerships. Future implementation will require sustained training subsidies, increased delivery capacity, and stronger integration of cultural competence into organisational and sector-wide systems.
On-Country Cultural Training for the Forestry Sectors: A Pilot Program in Central Victoria
This pilot delivers immersive, on-Country cultural training that highlights Indigenous enterprise perspectives to build cultural capability across the forestry sector. It facilitates two-way knowledge sharing between forestry professionals and Traditional Owners and develops a nationally adaptable framework for culturally informed practice. The pilot program is delivered in Central Victoria.
Why It Matters
Australia’s forests are deeply connected to the cultural heritage, identity, and stewardship of First Nations peoples. This project is a practical step toward a more inclusive and culturally respectful forestry industry. By fostering genuine partnerships and co-designed training, it empowers First Nations communities to participate in and help shape the future of forestry in Australia.
Pilot Phases
Phase 1: Cultural Competence Training
Delivered in collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises Pty Ltd (DUMAWUL), Djaara’s cultural tourism and education enterprise, this full-day training session introduces forestry participants to:
>> Traditional Owner history and values.
>> Cultural protocols and perspectives on forest and land management.
>> The Djaara Cultural Competence Program (DCCP).
Phase 2: On-Country Learning
In partnership with Djarra’s Forest Gardening and Djandak Wi (cultural fire) teams, participants will engage in experiential learning through site visits and yarns (full-day or half-day sessions) that explore:
>> Traditional Owner aspirations for forest management.
>> Healthy Country principles and practices.
Phase 3: Indigenous Timber Enterprise Site Visit
Participants will visit Djarra Timbers to learn about Traditional Owner-led timber enterprise models. The visit will highlight:
>> Holistic use of timber resources.
>> Commercial opportunities aligned with cultural values.
>> Indigenous perspectives on sustainable forest and timber production.
Pilot Participants
- First Nations community representatives from Central Victoria.
- Forestry and timber processing business representatives from Central Victoria.
