Doomadgee Closing the Gap, expanding local Influence

Gunawuna Jungai has announced the expansion of its board, with two significant appointments from the community in a further demonstration of the integrity and power of local culture in the process of self-determination and cultural democracy.

The organisation has welcomed Atlanta Taylor and Kerry-Anne Gallagher to the Board. AsRepresentative Members for their respective family groups, they make the transition to representing the Doomadgee community through the governance of Gunawuna Jungai.

Gunawuna Jungai Limited was created and endorsed as the community-owned and controlled body to represent Doomadgee as the Queensland site for Place Based Partnerships under the National Agreement for Closing the Gap.

The appointments follow the resignation of Barry Walden as Chairman and Director, making a significant transition in the organisation’s governance and leadership.

Mr Walden, the founder and visionary behind Gunawuna Jungai, has stepped aside to extend his influence across Queensland’s northwest and Lower Gulf region, where his
leadership is increasingly sought after.

While he is resigning from his formal roles, he remains an integral part of Gunawuna Jungai as the Representative Member of his family group.

“My job has been to make sure the foundations are laid right, embedded in our culture and empowering everyone in the community. That job is done,” Mr Walden said.

“From the beginning, Gunawuna Jungai was about everyone in Doomadgee, from the smallest to the biggest. Everyone gets to have a voice.”

“Doomadgee has a great future ahead. We’re just making sure that it’s built our way, on our culture.”

CEO Kieran Smith acknowledged Barry’s legacy and the significance of this transition.

“Barry’s decision to step down is not a departure – it is a deliberate step towards the cultural democracy that Gunawuna Jungai was built upon,” Mr Smith said.

“From day one, Barry envisioned a governance model where community leadership and traditional authority shape the future of Doomadgee. His decision to transition from
Chairman to Representative Member is a testament to the strength of that model.”

Gunawuna Jungai was founded on the principles of cultural authority and self-determination. With Barry’s transition, the organisation is entering a new phase, where
the governance board – comprised of Representative Members from family groups – will guide the future of the organisation.

“The empowerment of community has always been at the heart of Gunawuna Jungai. This is the National Agreement’s Priority Reform 2, Strengthening Community Control in action,” Mr Smith said.

“Barry’s leadership has proven the model, and we are now seeing the community stepping forward to take ownership of decision-making in a way that respects and
honours cultural authority.”

The Board, Members, and staff of Gunawuna Jungai extend their gratitude to Barry for his vision and his unwavering dedication and leadership, and welcome Atlanta and
Kerry-Anne as Gunawuna Jungai enters the next phase of cultural democracy and Closing the Gap for Doomadgee.