Project Spotlight: Gallipoli Barracks Yarning Circle
Tagai Management Consultants along with its local Queensland Indigenous suppliers have delivered the design and construction of the Gallipoli Barracks Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Yarning Circle.
The groundbreaking reconciliation Department of Defence (DOD) project was represented by “Gabrielle” who invited Supply Nation Certified Supplier, Tagai Management Consultants to the Request for Quote event after finding their details on the Supply Nation Indigenous Business Database.
Gabrielle was focused on increasing Gallipoli Barracks reconciliation activities against the DOD Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) commitments through her vision for a yarning circle capturing both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
The Yarning Circle is a place where stories and knowledge can be shared in a caring environment that's relaxed and comfortable. A place where each of us can participate to our own level, in our own time and by sharing our own unique journey.
Tagai Management Consultants is renowned for culturally appropriate stakeholder engagement and paying deep respect to the local Indigenous Traditional Owners was awarded the contract. North of the Brisbane River is the home of the Turrbul Tribe and TMC sought their permission which was granted by the Turrbul elders to construct the yarning circle with Turrbul peoples’ totems and elements.
Design
The design was created by Aboriginal artist Mr Charlie Chambers Jnr an Australian Aboriginal artist belonging to the Jarowair tribe from the Toowoomba, Dalby and Bunya mountain region. Charlie shares, “When I was young, I would sit with my elders and listen to these Dreamtime stories, but the stories would go in one ear and out the other. Charlie was the Turrbul tribe endorsed Artist.
The yarning circle design reflects the following elements:
Colours: Three Australian flags - National flag, Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag;
Animal totems reflect both the lands of the Turrbul and Yuggera and tribes (eel and snake), and the Australian coat of arms;
Green hills surrounding the area;
Centrepiece image: Poppy flower (paying respect to the Australian Defence Force) surrounded by Aboriginal yarning circle symbols;
Shade sail represents the sky and the universe; and
Footprints are welcoming anyone in the community to use the yarning circle.
Artist Charlie Chambers and Tagai Management Consultants team member, Bryanna bringing the yarning circle to life. Photo: www.tagaimc.com
Construction
Tagai Management Consultants managed the Works with Tuff Yards Pty Ltd a 100% Indigenous owned, family operated business based in South-East Queensland. Specialising in the delivery of large-scale public infrastructure, Tuff Yards have successfully delivered streetscapes, pathways, commercial parks and gardens, sporting and educational facilities throughout Queensland and NSW.
Tuff Yards team members working on the yarning circle. Photo: www.tagaimc.com
Thanks and Acknowledgement
Tagai Management Consultants would like to thank the Department of Defence for the opportunity to undertake this groundbreaking reconciliation project at Gallipoli Barracks and we know all personnel, staff and visitors will enjoy the yarning circle for years to come. We would like to especially acknowledge the support of “Gabrielle” and all site staff who provided advice and assistance on the Project. The Department of Defence provided Tagai Management Consultants an opportunity to deliver a 100% Indigenous led project which would not have come to life without our local Indigenous supplier family, Tuff Yards Pty and Mr Charlie Chambers.
Gallipoli Barracks yarning circle opening
Gallipoli Barracks Opening: Turrbul Elder, Maroochy Barambah with Department of Defence personnel. Photo: www.tagaimc.com
Tagai Management Consultants is a Supply Nation Certified Supplier, a member of the Southeast Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Business member of the Export Council of Australia, and the Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce.
Tagai Management Consultants is a dynamic management consultancy specialising in Procurement/Supply Chain, Stakeholder Engagement, and Business advisory services focused on empowering relationships and achieving results that meet and exceed our clients requirements in Australia and the Asia/Pacific region. Get in contact with us today.