Q&A with Darumbal and Kabi Kabi man, story-teller and Anglicare Cultural Practice Lead, Adrian Malone
Spotlight Q&A
Meet Adrian Malone from Anglicare Southern Queensland and find out about his Mob and Country, his tips for celebrating NAIDOC Week, his favourite Bible story, his secret skill and what person of faith inspires him
Where did you grow up and where do you currently live?
I grew up on Darumbal Country in what is more widely known as Rockhampton. My Darumbal nan on my dad’s side was the Elder or “matriarch” in my family. I live in the Sunshine Coast region on Kabi Kabi Country, which is my mum’s Country.
How long have you been involved in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland and in what roles?
I have been in the role of Cultural Practice Lead at Anglicare Southern Queensland since 2022. My office is based in Maroochydore, but I work across Southern Queenland.
What does your role involve?
My role is focussed on strategic partnerships with both external organisations and internal Anglicare units. I attend external events to build relationship, run cultural training sessions and provide advice for complex children, youth and family (CYF) cases. I also help embed cultural safety across our CYF programs.
“This is an Anglicare Community of Practice for Allies group in Brisbane — group members are holding messages sticks to carry message of allyship back to workplaces,” says Adrian Malone
What projects or activities are you currently working on in your role?
Along with Sarah Marris from the Mission, Research and Advocacy team, I am working on a First Nations youth story-telling project. I am also planning a cultural connection and wellbeing day for First Nations staff in the Children, Youth and Families team — we are going on-Country.
I recently completed a First Nations Commitment Project. I based it on the McKinsey 7-S model, which is centred on shared values. I worked closely with Stephen Harrison from the Mission, Research and Advocacy team and Wendy Edwards from the People and Culture Team. The point of the project was for First Nations peoples to identify commitments, especially where there are gaps in knowledge, education and cultural safety, so the wider Anglicare Southern Queensland team members can deliver on these commitments.
What is a memorable experience of your role so far?
I accompanied Anglicare Southern Queensland’s executive leadership team and other managers to the Ration Shed Museum at Cherbourg for a cultural immersion tour around NAIDOC Week last year. It was the first time I had been to Cherbourg.
My grandfather was “stolen” from his family around the age of three, along with all his siblings. They were taken from Clermont in the central west of Queensland. My grandfather escaped from Cherbourg in his mid-teens and worked on the railways.
Why is it important for all Australians to commit to Reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
We need to reconcile our histories through truth-telling. In order to walk together and move forward, we need to reconcile our histories.
“I live on the Sunshine Coast region on Kabi Kabi Country, which is my mum’s Country,” says Adrian Malone (pictured here with his mum, Christine, at the NAIDOC Week ball in 2005)
How are National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week different?
National Reconciliation Week is about non-Indidenous people reflecting on the ongoing impacts of settler-colonialism on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The National Reconciliation Week website explains it like this:
“National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.”
NAIDOC Week centres Blak voices and celebrates survival and gives Mob a dedicated time to honour truth and resistance, while showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. The NAIDOC Week website explains it like this:
“National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.”
“NAIDOC Week centres Blak voices and celebrates survival and gives Mob a dedicated time to honour truth and resistance, while showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories,” says Adrian Malone
Why is it important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to celebrate NAIDOC Week?
All Mob come together so we can connect, dance, eat food and laugh together and showcase our cultures. Lots of events are held all around Australia.
What are some ways that non-Indigenous people can celebrate NAIDOC Week?
They can have a yarn with Elders or invite an Elder to speak at their parish, school, ministry or workplace (out of courtesy, it’s important to pay the Elder for their time and cover their travel costs). Start regularly supporting Blak-owned businesses, such as those on Supply Nation — preferably local businesses — including gifts, office supplies, printing and caterers. Post on your social media channels about any events you go to so you can demonstrate your allyship.
How does your spirituality as a First Nations man inspire you and shape your outlook, life choices and character?
Story, relationships and connection to Country are important to my spirituality as a First Nations man. I grew up with a lot of Elders telling stories, so I put what I have learnt about storytelling into my practice and how I lead. Storytelling brings calmness to situations and conversations because it helps orientate my direction. When someone owns their story/narrative they are empowered.
What are the primary strengths of the Church and what is the best way to make the most of these for the benefit of our communities?
I am starting to do some work with Colin Lim, who is the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Manger for Anglicare Southern Queensland. The Church’s strength lies in its faith-based community — and is a natural space for truth-telling and Reconciliation.
What is your favourite Bible scripture and why?
I like the story of Moses. I like stories about “unusual suspect” leaders because they have different approaches to problem solving and leading people.
What person of faith inspires you the most and why?
David Ngunaitponi (Anglicised to “Unaipon”), the Ngarrindjeri man who features on the $50 note, was a famous preacher, inventor, lecturer and writer. He gave lectures for the Anglican Church. He inspires me because of his curious mind and the research he undertook into Aboriginal spirituality, especially about the Dreaming.
“David Ngunaitponi (Anglicised to ‘Unaipon’), the Ngarrindjeri man who features on the $50 note, was a famous preacher, inventor, lecturer and writer. He gave lectures for the Anglican Church,” says Adrian Malone
What is the bravest or kindest gesture you have ever received or witnessed?
When Elders take the time to share their stories and knowledge with me, it means a lot. I was working in an Aboriginal community in a previous job, when a wise Elder asked me in a rhetorical way, “Can a dog teach a dingo how to be a dingo?” I said, “I don’t understand.” Down the track I realised what he meant – that a White person can’t teach an Aboriginal person how to be Aboriginal.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received and who gave you this advice?
The best advice I have received is from a close Elder who said, “Don’t forget who you are, but always make room for who you are becoming.” This reminds me about the importance of growth and change.
What do you do in your free time to recharge and relax?
I mainly connect with family and yarn with them.
What book have you given away most as a gift and why?
Tyson Yunkaporta’s Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World because it brings First Nations practices into tertiary, and other, educational spaces.
Where do you do your best thinking?
In the car on long drives while listening to talk-back radio.
What’s your best childhood memory?
When I was younger I went to Uluru for a First Nations sporting event. We met with First Nations sporting heroes, such as Kuku Yalanji and Birra Gubba sprinter Cathy Freeman OAM, Wiradjuri tennis player Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC MBE, and Yuin and Worimi hurdles athlete Kyle Vander-Kuyp. I was into athletics.
If you found yourself on a deserted island, what three things would you choose to have with you?
My Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky, an endless supply of dragon fruit and grapes, and my iPad because it has thousands of books on it.
In his free time Anglicare’s Adrian Malone likes spending time in the bush with his husky, Jessa
If you are having a bad day, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
I go out into nature. I sit in bushland and listen to the birds.
What makes you nostalgic and why?
When I go back on Country and sandalwood is used for smoking ceremonies, it makes me realise that I am home and I feel instantly relaxed.
What is your secret skill?
I have this weird thing where random dogs come up to me and sit at my feet. It happens in public. People with well-trained dogs are often surprised when their dogs do this.
What day would you like to re-live and why?
Visting Japan was eye-opening. I had a good yarn with a guide who is an Indigenous man. We shared cultural stories.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would that be?
I am really into dragon fruit at the moment.
What item should you throw out, but can’t bear to part with?
An old blanket. I don’t really need it, but it’s too comfortable to throw out.
Author’s note: The 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week will be celebrated from Sunday 6 July to Sunday 13 July in 2025. The NAIDOC Week theme this year is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”. Visit the NAIDOC Week website for more information and for educational resources, a “Supporting NAIDOC Toolkit” and posters, as well as to find out what events are happening and how to register your event.
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