Our Core
Values
Collaboration
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. We recognise the strength in unity and actively seek partnerships within our Connected Network and beyond, working together to achieve collective goals.
Respect
Respect forms the foundation of all our interactions. We recognise the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences that exist within Australia, and honour everyone’s unique contribution.
Community
We are accountable to the communities we advocate for and work with. We are committed to elevating the perspectives, needs and ambitions of those communities.
Integrity
Integrity guides our actions, ensuring transparency and honesty in everything we do. We believe trust is built through ethical practices and accountability.
Equity
Equity at Turnstone Collective means embracing diversity and actively dismantling barriers to participation. We champion principles of fairness and justice to create an inclusive environment for all.
Our Story
Turnstone Collective is the collaboration of Michelle Deshong and Carla McGrath, each bringing extensive experience in Indigenous engagement, leadership, governance, strategy, and public participation.
United by a shared ambition to create transformative change for Indigenous communities, Turnstone Collective was founded in 2021 to increase capacity and reach across domestic and international networks. Michelle and Carla worked together in various forms for more than a decade before bringing their collective expertise together to form Turnstone Collective.
Inspired by the harmonious synergy of a flock of birds in flight, our name is derived from the distinctive Ruddy Turnstone. Turnstone’s tend to fly in tight coordinated flocks. Much like these birds, our approach is one of partnership and collaboration for purpose.
The Turnstone is a highly migratory, world travelling bird. Though it travels long distances, the Turnstone always returns to Australia and can be found along the coast, including in the Great Barrier Reef. Similarly, Turnstone Collective’s Founders are both salt water women who live on the coast and have strong cultural connections to North Queensland. Both have had the opportunity to travel extensively and bring learnings and connections home.
The Turnstone was named for its habit of meticulously searching new spaces, turning over stones, shells, and seaweed all along the coastline. There is significant synergy between this habit and the way Turnstone Collective works, constantly seeking new ideas and innovation and incorporating these into our practice
Why Work With Us
As an 100% Indigenous-owned firm, we are defined by the unique experience and expertise of our co-founders, Carla and Michelle.
With strong roots in both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, Turnstone Collective creates unique value through our commitment to authentic engagement, deep listening and targeted research.
Expertise of
the Director
Carla and Michelle bring a unique blend of expertise in leadership, governance and cultural connection, ensuring a holistic and culturally sensitive approach to all projects.
Connected
Network
With expansive networks from Tasmania to the Torres Strait, Turnstone Collective’s Connected Network consists of experts across various content areas, ensuring a comprehensive and tailored approach to meet the specific needs of our clients.
Commitment to
Generational Outcomes
Our objectives include increasing the participation of Indigenous people in public and political life, promoting self-determination, and facilitating cross-cultural collaboration.
Turnstone Collective invites you to be a part of our journey in nurturing change, fostering connections, and empowering communities.
Together, let’s create a future shaped by Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, and collective action.
Our Team
Carla McGrath
CO – FOUNDER
Carla McGrath
CO – FOUNDER
Carla McGrath is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman and a passionate speaker, advocate and MC. Born and raised on the Australian mainland, she now lives in Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). Carla is an expert in community engagement and consultation, transformational organisational cultural change, organisational strategy and sustainability, program design and development, and facilitation.
Carla is Board Chair at Native Foodways, Board Director at Blakdance, a member of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research reference group: Thiitu Tharrmay (Australian National University) and member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderAdvisory Group for Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
Carla has a track record of cultivating and maintaining effective networks, alliances and relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including corporate, philanthropic and for purpose partners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities and organisations. Carla brings over a decade of experience in the establishment, leadership and governance of for-purpose organisations and businesses, using this experience to assist organisations, institutions and communities to seed, grow, change and sustain themselves.
Carla’s previous roles include Program Director for the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity, Head of Sustainability at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) and Relationship Manager at AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience). Her previous board and governance roles include Chair if GetUp, Co-Chair of the Management Committee of the NSW Reconciliation Council, Vice Chair of AYAC (Australian Youth Affairs Coalition), Board Director of Shared Path Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, Flashpoint Labs and the George Hicks Foundation, Delegate to the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Member of the AIME Corporation, Member of The Smith Family Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel, and Public Member of the Australian Press Council.
Michelle Deshong
CO – FOUNDER
Michelle Deshong
CO – FOUNDER
Michelle is a Kuku Yalanji woman from North Queensland and lives on the lands of the Wulgurukaba and BIndal people. Michelle has experience as a Fullbright Scholar, leader and advocate, with extensive career working in both the public and private sectors. She has an in-depth knowledge of Indigenous affairs, and in the mechanisms of government, advocacy and political change. She is an accredited trainer and facilitator in leadership, governance, Australian and international politics, and human rights fields.
Michelle has been running her own consultancy for nearly 20 years and provides advice and insights on , gender equality, policy reforms and political engagement. She has held senior executive roles in government including National Manager, Indigenous Services in Centrelink and senior advisor in the Department of Prime Minister in Cabinet. Michelle was CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute for 5 years.
Throughout her career, Michelle has remained strongly connected to community organisations and has held many governance roles including Director of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre and Co-Chair of Supply Nation.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science and Indigenous studies at James Cook University, and is completing her PhD. Awards include the National NAIDOC Scholar of the year, 2015; the Australian/American Fulbright Indigenous Professional Scholarship, and a Churchill Fellowship. Michelle is a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and on the Council for e Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.