David Nalder

David Nalder remembers Griffith University as a young child in the 70s, when his mother worked for Foundation Professor Arthur Brownlea AM of the School of Australian Environmental Studies.

“Griffith has always been a familiar and comfortable place for me. I was in day care when Mum started her tertiary education. People in my own family were showing me the way.”

David says Griffith was also one of the few places where you could complete a degree focused on Australian environmental science.

“Griffith was a good fit for me because I was interested in the environment and cultural resource use, like bush tucker,” he says.

David spent a lot of his youth on Quandamooka Country playing, fishing, sailing, surfing, and just being immersed in the environment of Quandmooka (Moreton Bay) and its sand islands, Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

“I was pretty keen on saltwater, being by the beach, and it felt like my options after high school were to become a tradie and probably fall off a roof, or do something with greater longevity,” he says.

After finishing his Bachelor of Science (Australian Environmental Studies), David started working as a National Parks and Wildlife ranger.

This work drew him into collaborating with Indigenous communities and learning about other cultures, their knowledge and practices on Country, and it ultimately led him back to Quandamooka Country to work with the Quandamooka People to help realise their native title rights.

“That experience, working back on Country with some really solid Quandmooka people and allies, broadened my focus beyond conservation and the environment. It sharpened my interest in broad economic and social outcomes—towards self-determination.”

“I became quite staunch in making sure that Aboriginal people managed their own business and have a voice in what goes on,” he says.

After a distinguished 30-year career working in the conservation and joint management of protected areas and Aboriginal engagement, David is now Senior Manager of Aboriginal Engagement at Transport for NSW.

He is responsible for managing Aboriginal participation, community engagement in culture, heritage impact assessment, and advocating for their interests in support of a $7 billion dollar transport infrastructure development and delivery pipeline in the north of NSW.

“For mainstream organisations like the one I’m working for, it’s important that we are influenced by those voices, but that we’re also being relevant in our engagement.”

David argues against the false truism that Aboriginal communities and Elders are suffering from consultation fatigue.

“If what you’re talking to the Aboriginal community about was relevant to them and you actually take responsibility for what you can do to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people, they are more likely to engage with you.”

“Effective engagement means you do it early, you do it often and you keep it relevant. We should treat these communities like we treat local government, we should show the same level of respect.”

For David, often his role is about engaging with non-Aboriginal people to help them understand different cultural perspectives and social needs.

“Transport for NSW spends about 25 per cent of the NSW Government’s budget. It’s a massive organisation and an enabler of huge social impact, it touches every part of our lives.”

“My role isn’t just about getting out there to talk to communities. I also help non-Aboriginal people to see things through an Aboriginal lens and to develop the understanding, confidence, and capability to do things better.”

Helping the wider organisation of Transport for NSW stay accountable to its values and commitment to helping close the gap is what motivates David.

“It’s about giving Aboriginal people the chance to live better lives, to keep Aboriginal people and communities connected with each other, to the places that are important to them and to economic opportunities and services.”

David’s team is dispersed throughout NSW and includes about 40 Aboriginal people working to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

“The most successful Aboriginal communities never accept the status quo. They’re always pushing the government for changes, improvements and concessions.”

“I’m obliged, working in an identified role, to do everything I can to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal people. I encourage my team to challenge the status quo.”

What is David’s favourite piece of advice for his team on how they should approach the opportunity to work on Aboriginal outcome delivery within Government? It’s to apply the statement that celebrated Aboriginal artist activist and fellow Griffith alumnus, Vernon Ah Kee, printed on a t-shirt, 'australia drive it like you stole it'.