Based in Kununurra, in Western Australia, Allan Wedderburn is a skilled and experienced project management consultant, specialising in Aboriginal economic development.
A civil engineer, he is known for his ability to solve problems, achieve project outcomes and communicate in plain English. He is also known for his dry sense of humour and his efforts to rid the Kimberley of the invasive Neem trees.
South African born, Allan has lived and worked in Kununurra since 2000. He took up an engineering role in Western Australia, before quickly deciding on a career change into Aboriginal economic development.
Allan is experienced in the provision of a range of services; however, he is prepared to call on other service providers when necessary. This includes lawyers, accountants or specialists, to meet requirements and achieve the best outcomes for clients.
Having worked with Indigenous people in rural and remote areas of southern Africa for many years, it was a seamless transition to working and establishing relationships with local Aboriginal communities. His skills include:
Allan’s strengths include his relevant experience and his high standard of personal and professional values. Red Spinifex is synonymous with:
Being independent, Allan is truly objective and prepared to tell it like it is.
Allan has worked with many Indigenous people for whom English was their second language. He is culturally aware, and uses a range of communication methods, including:
“One of the biggest compliments is to be confided in regarding cultural matters. Often this can take years as the relationship develops.” Allan Wedderburn
Red Spinifex provides high quality, value-for-money consulting services to a range of clients, including Aboriginal trusts and corporations, companies in the resources sector and private enterprise.
Allan services the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia, and can travel further afield if
required. Services include :
Delivering projects on time and on budget
Assisting organisations with compliance requirements
Assisting with the implementation of management tools
Improving processes
Assisting Aboriginal groups to establish trustee companies/Aboriginal corporations
Assisting boards and/or management to undertake their duties in accordance with regulations. This could include:
Communicating complex issues and requirements in plain English
Developing a scheduling spreadsheet to ensure deadlines are met
Work shopping succinct and realistic strategic plans that are easy to enact
Capacity building and succession planning
Developing pragmatic strategic plans to manage organizational change, such as structural change, downsizing or upsizing
On-the-ground implementation and management of activities
Facilitating interactive workshops on a range of topics related to Red Spinifex’s services, using proven communication techniques
Allan’s strong project management skills have enabled him to make a successful transition from civil engineering to Native Title related projects, including development and implementation of Aboriginal trusts, and operation of Aboriginal organisations.
Engaged by Waardi Limited to run Waardi and its entities.
Achievements include:
Consultant to a range of Aboriginal organisations and resource companies, predominantly in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.
Services provided include:
Engaged by Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation to run NAC and its existing entities: Mt Welcome pastoral station and Ngarluma Aboriginal Sustainable Housing (NASH) during financial constraints.
Achievements include:
Engaged by Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation to design the Ngarluma Trust with Jackson McDonald lawyers. The engagement methodology ensured NAC board and community support, and understanding of the key concepts of the trust.
Engaged by Pilbara Native Title Service to design trusts for 7 Native Title groups negotiating with Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO), with legal provison from Jackson McDonald lawyers.
Engaged by Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation to design a trust for the Martu people, and project manage the initial implementation phase of the trust.
Project manager ensuring the ILUA establishment, implementation and operation of the Gelganyem and Kilkayi Trusts – regarded by Rio Tinto as best practice in Australia.
Negotiated an ILUA on behalf of the Traditional Owners with Argyle Diamond Mine. As well as the financial benefits negotiated, non-financial benefits included cultural heritage protection, land management and access, employment and training, and business development.
Responsible for the Kununurra office and projects in the Kimberley region, including several remote Aboriginal community projects.
Allan Wedderburn solves problems. Overcoming problems and issues that seem insurmountable is Allan’s specialty. The key is to break them down into small, practical steps.
Introduced to the Kimberley region in the 1990’s, Neem trees have become an invasive, fast-growing weed – threatening to suffocate the beautiful Boab trees in particular, that are local to the Kimberley.
Allan is tackling the problem head on – one tree at a time. He has created a Facebook page called Neems To Go – Kimberley, to create awareness of the issue, provide practical information and inspire others to take action. He also established ‘De-Neem De-Kimberley D-Day.’
By focusing on clearing small sections, spraying the trees with Gallon and pulling young trees out by the roots, Allan is making a difference in his local environment. He is also bringing the community together, working to solve a common problem.
Part of Red Spinifex’s income is donated to the De-Neem project in the Kimberley and to other charities.
