Our Team

Sharing Culture was founded by husband and wife duo, Gadj and Jodie Maymuru

Gadj Maymuru - CEO and Co-Founder

Gadj is a Yolngu man who belongs to the Manggalili Clan. Born in Yirrkala, North East Arnhem land, he spent most of his life migrating between Yirrkala and his homeland Djarrakpi. While growing up, he was taught the old ways from his family and his environment. He was passed on the knowledge of how to survive, as his ancestors have for thousands of years, learning to hunt and live off the land.

Gadjs' schooling incorporated 'Two Way Learning', which has been incorporated into the Sharing Culture teaching & Learning Program. 'Two Way Learning' is a combination of western and Indigenous knowledge, placing equal value on both ways.

The artwork and cultural content used throughout the demo version of Sharing Culture Online is provided by Gadj who speaks Yolngu Matha and English fluently, and his children. His input and cultural knowledge has ensured cultural protocols have been observed.

As an accomplished artist, Gadj learned to paint using ancient methods and materials including hand made paintbrushes, ochres and clay on bark. Today he still uses these methods in his paintings.

Gadj was also artist in residence at the Australian National University where he taught students traditional painting methods and design, as well as restoration of old artworks.

Gadj currently paints for several galleries and shops across Australia. He also holds cultural information sessions as well as spear making and spear throwing workshops for schools, community groups and festivals.

Gadj has had experience in schools as a Teacher Aide and has also mentored "Boys at Risk". This experience has given him insight into the needs of Indigenous students and helps when developing products.

Jodie Maymuru – CEO and Co-founder

The computer programming and multi media has been developed by Jodie who also does most of the day to day operations of the business. Jodies' heritage stems from the New Zealand Maoris. Jodie left New Zealand when she was 5 and moved to Papua New Guinea where she continued a rich cultural upbringing, spending her childhood immersed in languages and traditions of PNG. Jodie feels it is important to respect and understand how much knowledge Indigenous people have to offer and what can be learnt from them.

Being a mother of four, Jodie understands how important it is for Indigenous children to have access to programs that are relevant to their cultural heritage and has seen that it’s a sure fire way to engage children, especially in their education.

Jodie has volunteered in her childrens classrooms in art and computer lessons. This experience helped to design and develop Sharing Culture programs and ensure they are more appropriate and support both students and teachers.

Jodie has taught Indigenous adults through TAFE, and also works for TAFE as a multimedia developer. She also does freelance multimedia for clients, specialising in Adobe Flash.

Study History:

* 2001 - Diploma of Multimedia
* 2004 – Certificate iv Small Business Management
* 2004 – Certificate iv Workplace Training and Assessment
* 2009 - Diploma of E-Learning

Bianca Bond (Embrey) – Community Liaison

Bianca joined the team in 2010, her roles include Community Liaison as well as Training & Workshop facilitation of Sharing Culture programs nationally. Bianca also co-presents with Gadj and Jodie at various conferences and events.

Bianca is a Kabi Kabi woman, a Traditional Custodian of the Sunshine Coast and its outer regions. Bianca comes from a long line of strong and proud Aboriginal people.

Bianca has worked within the Department of Education for the North Coast Region Indigenous Education Unit, where she developed and facilitated a leadership program across the region from Pine Rivers to Bundaberg a region of 600km. Bianca worked with JP Consulting developing a Future Indigenous Leaders Program for the South East Region and is also heavily involved in local and state government policy development and strategic planning.

Bianca sits on the Noosa Biosphere Cultural Board and the Australian Indigenous Youth Academy Board. Having been involved in both the Indigenous Youth Parliament and the Queensland Youth Parliament, Bianca sat as Minister for Indigenous Affairs and in the first ever electorate of Kabi Kabi. She’s also the Chairperson of the Sunshine Coast Indigenous Network Group (SCING), a collation of Indigenous service providers or other mainstream services that have a service to offer the Indigenous Communities.

Bianca’s most recent achievement is becoming an Oxfam International Action Partner where 300 young people from 100 countries around the world have been selected because of their dedication and commitment to social justice and equality. Being an Action Partner is an opportunity of a lifetime for Bianca to be a part of a global movement of positive change towards social justice, equality and self-determination and empowerment across the world.

Bianca is very passionate about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander education and awareness of our cultures, our languages, our history and ways of life so is very pro-active in all aspects of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples cultures, issues and rights. Biancas a valuable asset to the Sharing Culture team.

Study History:
•   Cert IV in Youth Work
•   Cert IV in Government
•   Diploma of Community Welfare Work
•   Entrepreneurship
•   Short courses to do with linguistics and other both personal and professional development training.

Vision or favourite quote:
If you are thinking a year ahead, sow a seed. If you are thinking ten years ahead, plant a tree. If you are thinking one hundred years ahead, educate the people. -- Chinese Poet, 500 BC

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