Testimonials

“We are deeply appreciative of Maria's invaluable guidance and unwavering support in shaping our Innovate RAP.   Her cultural insight has encouraged us to think more broadly about appropriate and inclusive language, fostering an environment where cultural awareness and capability are at the forefront of our journey towards reconciliation.  

Maria’s attention to detail and contributions have not only enhanced our understanding but also strengthened our commitment to creating a more inclusive workplace.

 Thank you, Maria, for being a pivotal part of our journey now and into the future.”
Tash Caflisch
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager

“My team and I have worked with Maria for several years on the Commission’s Reconciliation Action Plan.  Maria brings deep cultural knowledge, grounded in lived experience, and she approaches reconciliation work with care, generosity, and integrity.

We have particularly valued the way Maria explains the reasoning behind her advice. This has strengthened our understanding and improved how we apply that learning in practice.

Maria creates a supportive environment where questions are encouraged, and thoughtful discussion is welcomed.  This has enabled my team and me to engage fully, build confidence and extend our awareness.

We are very grateful to Maria for her professionalism, cultural leadership, and sustained commitment to reconciliation work.”
Dr Niki Vincent - Commissioner
Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector

“Consat is incredibly grateful to Maria Watson-Trudgett for the stunning artwork she created for us. 

From the very first consultation, Maria took the time to understand our vision, meeting with our team to ensure that the piece would reflect both our values and the cultural significance we wanted to honour.

Maria’s thoughtful approach, combined with her cultural guidance, allowed her to not only capture our ideas but to elevate them in a way that felt authentic and meaningful.  As a company passionate about promoting First Nations peoples and cultures, we are proud to share this piece with our customers and community. 

Our licensing agreement further strengthens our commitment to supporting First Nations peoples, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Maria in the future.”
Lachlan Mackay
Head of Asia-Pacific Market Unit

“Maria has played an important role in supporting our organisation’s reconciliation journey from the beginning.  Her guidance during the development and implementation of both our Reflect RAP and Innovate RAP helped us move from intention to meaningful action, ensuring our commitments were thoughtful, practical and aligned with the spirit of reconciliation, receiving endorsement from Reconciliation Australia.

Beyond the formal plans themselves, Maria has demonstrated strong cultural leadership.  She has provided ongoing advice, perspective and encouragement that has deepened our understanding and strengthened our approach to reconciliation across the organisation.  Her cultural insight and generosity in sharing knowledge across our team have been invaluable as we continue to embed reconciliation into the way we work and engage with community.“

Rebecca Campbell-Burns,
Chief Executive Officer, Escient

“Maria Watson-Trudgett’s expert guidance, cultural insight, and creative leadership have been instrumental in the development of our Reflect and now Innovate Reconciliation Action Plans.

Her contributions have had a lasting impact on our people, our practices, and our path forward.  Maria brings experience, engagement and empathy, to any organisation seeking a culturally informed, respectful, and inspiring approach to reconciliation.

Our ongoing partnership with Maria continues to enrich our cultural capability.  Maria remains a trusted and generous partner on our reconciliation journey.”

Stephen Kovacs, Managing Director

"Maria's guidance, as part of Strategic Grants' Reconciliation Working Group, has been invaluable. Her expertise and clear direction have been pivotal in helping us navigate the deliverables of our Innovate RAP with confidence and purpose.

Crucially, Maria's cultural guidance has enhanced our team's knowledge on respectful communication and appropriate language, leading to optimal outcomes for the Nations peoples and organisations we partner with.”

Jo Garner, CEO/Founder

“It has been a real pleasure working with Maria. Her experience and insights are invaluable, and I know the broader RAP team views her as an integral partner. In fact, Maria’s guidance has been instrumental in shaping our RAP initiatives, ensuring they are not only effective but also culturally respectful and impactful”

Maria’s passion, creativity, and professionalism have made a lasting impression on our team. We are grateful for her contributions and look forward to continuing our partnership as we strive to make a positive difference in our community.”

Domenic Stranieri, General Manager

“The Children’s Hospital Foundation engaged Maria to deliver a Cultural Immersion Art Workshop to help us celebrate NAIDOC week 2022. The workshops were engaging and enlightening, helping to educate our team on our shared history and understand the interpretation of symbols used in Aboriginal art.

Maria provided our team with an opportunity for a Q&A which was greatly received by the team. We sincerely thank Maria for her time and wisdom, and hope to connect with her on future projects.”

People and Culture Team

“It is a pleasure to work with Maria. She plays an integral role in the implementation of our Conference Engagement Strategy. Maria provides important insights and perspectives and her ability to establish rapport and build relations with our stakeholders is invaluable to the work we do. Throughout her work she provides cultural guidance and ongoing advice to our staff supporting their learning journey.”

Jody Gunn, CEO