Our Mob, Our Way, Is Self Determination
Palaweena Consultancy provides customised services for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, the broader Health, Wellbeing, Aged and Disability Sectors and Government Agencies servicing Aboriginal Communities.
Introduction to Palaweena Consultancy
Joanne Badke is the Executive Director of Palaweena Consultancy, she is a Palawa woman born in Tasmania, raised from the age of 9 on Dja Dja Wurrung country (Central Victoria) and has worked for Aboriginal Communities in urban, regional, rural, remote and very remote areas across Australia. She has held noteworthy Directorships on National, State-wide, Regional, and Local Boards.
Joanne's many skills and achievements provide an array of services available through Palaweena Consultancy, and the ability to have a customise service package that suits your needs; she was the first Aboriginal person to undertake Accounting and Business Law, appointed Administrator of SNAICC at just 20 years old, and appointed CEO of an ACCO at the age of 25, co-founder of the Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative and the South Australian West Coast ACCHO Network to name a few.
Joanne developed Palaweena Consultancy in 2002, despite being in a fulltime CEO position. On the weekends and afterhours Palaweena was engaged by Community groups, Organisations, and Universities to develop, Aboriginal Specific programs customised or fit for purpose models.
In 2006 Palaweena was engaged by RMIT to customise the Frontline Management Diploma for the Aboriginal Community Control Sector, meeting the National Standards for approved curriculum. In 2007 the first course was facilitated over twelve months in her CEO role for all the Managers at her current workplace. 13 out of 15 staff successfully completed and received their Diploma.
Check out below for the more detailed Biography on Joanne Badke.
Picture of Joanne's Great Great Grandmother - Fanny Cochrane Smith, and her Great Grandfather - Tasman Smith both who have played a pivotal role for Joanne's inspiration to advocate and serve Aboriginal Australia.
Meet the owner, Joanne Badke
Joanne Badke nee Riseley is the founder and owner of Palaweena Consultancy, a respected Tasmanian Aboriginal Woman that has been serving Aboriginal Communities and advocating for Aboriginal rights and self-determination for over 35 years.
Profile
Joanne Badke is a distinguished Palawa Woman from Tasmania. With a robust career spanning over 35 years, she has dedicated herself to serving Aboriginal communities, particularly in the field of Aboriginal Health.
Her extensive experience encompasses a wide range of environments, including urban, regional, rural, remote and even very remote communities. Joanne's unwavering passion lies in enhancing the quality of life for Aboriginal people, and she is a profound advocate for health equity and social justice.
Biography
Throughout her illustrious career, Joanne has tirelessly sought to acquire knowledge and skills that serve the betterment of Aboriginal communities. She places a strong emphasis on advocating for self-determination and the necessity of culturally appropriate health services. Her unwavering efforts have earned her numerous prestigious accolades, including the Aboriginal Leader in Health Recognition Award and the Inspirational Leader in Aboriginal Child & Family Services Award. These honors reflect her significant contributions, integrity, and inspiration in the field of Aboriginal affairs.
Among her many noteworthy accomplishments, Joanne has had the privilege of presenting at the National Aboriginal Health Summit, where she tackled crucial issues such as “Changing the Culture of Lateral Violence Through Restorative Justice.” She also played a critical role as a co-author of the Aboriginal Kinship Framework for Victoria, which has been successfully funded and implemented state-wide. Furthermore, she was the visionary founder of the first Victorian Indigenous Women’s Ministerial Advisory Committee, paving the way for enhanced representation and advocacy on behalf of Indigenous women's issues.
A particularly remarkable aspect of Joanne’s career is her proficiency in financial management. She holds the distinction of being the first Aboriginal individual in Victoria to obtain a university qualification in Accounting and Business Law. This academic achievement has equipped her with a robust understanding of financial principles, enabling her to navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence. Throughout her career, she has skilfully managed organisations with budgets that exceed $5 million, ensuring meticulous financial oversight and strategic resource allocation. Her tenure as the Finance Manager at the Dja Dja Wrung Aboriginal Association involved comprehensive responsibilities, including daily cash management, budget preparation, and financial reporting, laying a solid foundation for her advancement to subsequent leadership roles.
Joanne’s remarkable achievements extend beyond her financial expertise. She has successfully as a CEO led her teams through rigorous accreditation processes, such as AGPAL, QIC and Aged Care Quality Standards, consistently maintaining the highest standards of quality in service delivery. Notably, she secured impressive funding for multiple purpose-built Aboriginal Health Services, showcasing her adeptness in financial advocacy and project management.
Furthermore, Joanne has contributed to the development of financial training programs, including the introduction of new accounting packages and staff training initiatives, ensuring that financial practices within Aboriginal organisations adhere to best industry standards.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Joanne remains actively engaged in advocating work, participating in various committees and organisations that focus on Aboriginal health and community development. Her commitment to education is reflected in her continuous professional development, including certifications in Financial Governance and Good Governance Principles.
Joanne Badke’s relentless dedication to improving Aboriginal health and community well-being serves as a powerful inspiration, driving transformative change and fostering resilience across Australia. Her distinguished career exemplifies the crucial role of leadership in advocating for Aboriginal peoples' rights and health, with a strong emphasis on financial stewardship and accounting education that supports sustainable community development.
Notable Consulting
Introduction to Lateral Violence in the Workplace Training | Nunyara Aboriginal Health Service
Backfill for CEO (Parental Leave) 5 Months | South Australian West Coast ACCHO Network (SAWCAN)
Introduction to Lateral Violence in the Workplace Training | South Australian West Coast ACCHO Network (SAWCAN)Staff
Global Budgeting for ACCO’s Training | South Australian West Coast ACCHO Network CEO’s and Financial Managers
Customized Governance & Accreditation Training | Margaret Tucker Aboriginal Hostel
State-wide Aboriginal Kinship Care Model Framework| Department of Human Services
Developed and Facilitated Aboriginal Community Control Customised Frontline Management Diploma | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
Community & Indigenous Partnership Conference Facilitator| Department of Human Service (Victoria)