Remarkable Regional Business Episode 14 - Rodney Carter, DJAARA

Remarkable Regional Businesses - Episode 14

Guest: Rodney Carter, CEO
Business Name: DJAARA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation)
Website: https://djadjawurrung.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-carter-ab400120/

Topics Covered:
/ Introduction to DJAARA: 
Rodney begins by introducing DJAARA, an Aboriginal corporation structured similarly to other organizations with a constitution and membership. Over the past decade, the corporation has grown from a modest $600,000 annual budget to a $28 million organization with more than 200 employees. He outlines the key business arms that drive DJAARA’s operations: Djandak, focusing on land management; Dumawul, involved in creative industries and tourism; and Djakitj, which centres on agriculture and food sciences.

/ Restoration of Bendigo Creek: 
Rodney highlights several major projects led by DJAARA, including the restoration of Bendigo Creek into a vibrant recreational space known as the Frog Ponds. He also discusses the corporation’s involvement in designing cultural elements into public structures like the Bendigo Courthouse, where Aboriginal language and symbols are integrated into modern architecture. Additionally, DJAARA has embarked on landscape and recreational developments across Central Victoria, further cementing its role in regional growth.

/ Cultural and Community Connection: 
A significant part of DJAARA’s mission is fostering connections between Aboriginal culture and the broader community. Rodney discusses how the organization’s projects are designed to not only preserve Aboriginal heritage but also contribute to the community’s shared environmental and cultural landscape. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the role DJAARA plays as a bridge between Aboriginal traditions and contemporary society.

/ Growth Journey and Organizational Structure:
Rodney shares insights into DJAARA’s rapid growth, explaining how the organization expanded from six employees to over 200 staff members. He reflects on his leadership approach, which centers on shared responsibility and empowerment. Managing such rapid expansion, however, has come with challenges, particularly in terms of personnel management and compliance with industrial regulations.

/ Sustainability and Agriculture Initiatives:
In addition to its community-focused projects, DJAARA is also leading in sustainability and agriculture initiatives. Rodney details their innovative work in cultivating kangaroo grass for grain and developing a commercial yabby farming project. These efforts not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also offer commercial opportunities that tie back to Aboriginal cultural practices.

/ Challenges and Leadership Lessons:
Finally, Rodney touches on some of the key challenges he has faced in scaling DJAARA. These include managing a diverse workforce that includes both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff and ensuring everyone remains aligned with the organization’s vision. He emphasizes the importance of communication and the need to continually reinforce the organization's goals and cultural values to overcome these challenges.

References:
Djandak - https://djandak.com.au/
Dumawul - https://dumawul.com.au/
Djakitf - https://dumawul.com.au/
Wanyarram Dhelk, Bendigo Creek Restoration Project - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR1CfnLwi6Y
New Bendigo Law Courts - https://youtu.be/hit-OqY_EmE