If she’s not driving across the unsealed roads in the outback of Western Australia talking to Traditional Owners, you will find her in the bustling hub of West Perth at , a boutique sustainability, digital and communications agency.
Emma Garlett is blazing the trail for a generation to follow, and she is doing so with such poise and grace by bringing people from all walks of life together in mutual respect, understanding and inspiring a shared vision for a reconciled Australia. Outlining her method she describes it as relational and places the importance on people, values and culture.
“For me, the work I am doing is guided by my Elders and my community. They have been working towards this for a long time and have faced insurmountable obstacles to ensure we get where we are today. It is my responsibility and duty to carry on their work. It comes back to connection, to people, to culture. Through connection and understanding we can move mountains, and systemic change is achievable,” she outlines.
NAIDOC Week is a special time for Garlett, she remarks that it is a time to celebrate for all Australians where we can immerse ourselves in First Nations culture, recognise the truth of our nation’s history, and celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal leaders who are championing innovative and meaningful work.
“This week allows us to take the opportunity to connect with the First Australians, celebrate our culture, stories and get involved in community events. It is a time to connect, but also to reflect and cultivate an understanding of how we move forward together,” she said.
Garlett encourages all Australian’s to embrace the theme of Keep the Fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud and encourages the theme to be applied through empowering and supporting First Nations people in all their endeavours.
When asked why she founded Garlett Group last year, she said it was because this work needed to be owned, led and managed by Aboriginal People. “It is our story, we need to tell it and own it.”
Garlett Group is named after her late father who was a beacon in her life and encouraged her to pursue her goals. “My dad made me believe in myself. He put that unshakable confidence and self belief inside of me and seeing his work in the community over the years including being a Chairperson at Aboriginal Corporations inspired me to do the work he didn't get the chance to.”
She said she wants to do this for the next generation of Aboriginal leaders, to build them up and to give them the confidence they need to achieve.
Garlett Group started in the small country town of Carnarvon as a one person team. Now, one year later, Garlett has grown the company to a small team based in West Perth. She attributes her success to meeting an unmet need in the community.
“Our voices needed to be heard, leaders in our community needed to be profiled and recognised, and there are so many stories which need to be told. What I am doing is providing a space to raise the profile of Aboriginal peoples so their voices are heard. If our Elders and community are not heard, how can we change the system?” She said.
“There was also a need to help Aboriginal businesses. We help our clients with building their capacity and capability, developing their online footprint, creating websites and assisting them to implement internal systems to do their work effectively.”
As a qualified lawyer with experience in top-tier law firms and experience in Australia’s biggest mining company BHP, plus having taught law at Curtin Law School, Garlett has the qualifications, experience and fortitude required to make a change. She is in it for the long haul.
“It is all about giving back. The skills I learnt working as a lawyer and working in mining gave me the in-depth knowledge and technical skills to be able to now work to help my community. It also provided me with understanding of how to get things done in corporate Australia, which is imperative for the work we do at Garlett Group.”
Looking to the future, Garlett believes the work she is doing now will help the next generation to be inclusive, respectful and work for purpose, not just profits. “The next generation wants to make a difference. They don’t just want to choose careers which have high incomes or status, they want to invent new technology, solve social issues and bring people together.”
This NAIDOC Week she encourages all to attend a local NAIDOC event and open your heart and mind to learn and engage with the First Nations community. “I see a future where we walk together, where systemic barriers are removed and where First Nations people take their rightful place in Australia,” she said.
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