Episode Five in the long-term series Whole of Community Change (Original broadcast November 25, 2014)

Posted on November 9, 2014

Episode Five in the long-term series Whole of Community Change (Original broadcast November 25, 2014) Dedicated broadcast page here

Featuring in a new long-term series Whole of Community Change Annalise Jennings Director Dynamic Exchange, Ms. Maryann Coconut Elder and Representative Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council and Honored Guest Dr. Margaret J. Wheatley Ed.D Speaker, Consultant and Writer

Napranum (meaning meeting place of the people) was the site of Weipa Presbyterian Mission from 1932 to 1965. Before 1932, the original Weipa Mission was situated near Spring Creek on the upper northern reaches of the Embley River. On 1 February 1966, the church handed over control to the Queensland Government and the mission became known as Weipa South settlement. During the late 1960s the name Napranum was increasingly used by the community..

Dr. Margaret J. Wheatley

Margaret J. Wheatley (commonly Meg Wheatley) (born 1941) is an American writer and management consultant who studies organizational behavior. Her approach includes systems thinking, theories of change, chaos theory, leadership and the learning organization: particularly its capacity to self-organize. Her work is often compared to that of Donella Meadows and Dee Hock. She describes her work as opposing “highly controlled mechanistic systems that only create robotic behaviors.” Wheatley grew up in the New York City area and then Boston. She received her M.A. in systems thinking from New York University and her doctorate from Harvard University. During the 1960s, Wheatley served in the Peace Corps in Korea for two years while teaching high school English.

Her practice as an organizational consultant and researcher began in 1973. She has worked on every inhabited continent in “virtually every type of organization” and considers herself a global citizen. Since then she has been Associate Professor of Management at the Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, and Cambridge College, Massachusetts, and served as a professor of management in two graduate programs. She has served in a formal advisory capacity for leadership programs in England, Croatia, Denmark, Australia and the United States, and through her work in Berkana, with leadership initiatives in India, Senegal, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mexico, and Brazil as well as Europe. She is president of the Berkana Institute, a global charitable leadership foundation.

Wheatley has received many awards and honorary doctorates. The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) has named her one of five living legends. In May 2003, ASTD awarded her their highest honor: “Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance.”

Annalise Jennings Director Dynamic Exchange

Annalise as the director of Dynamic Exchange has over 25 years experience in senior roles in financial services and other sectors including property and small business. Annalise is an experienced facilitator and has led business transformation in project management in large organisations and has an extensive background in risk management and organisational culture. This experience has been gained through working in India, Australia & New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Annalise has spoken on transformation and maximising human potential in a variety of business and community forums.

Annalise is passionate about teams and helping them discover healthy working relationships and celebrating success and empowerment. Annalise balances her time between key corporate engagements, her part-time career as an alternative health practitioner and has always combined her working life with parenting and study. She strongly believes in human potential and is a passionate advocate of ethical corporate and individual behaviour in the business community.

Councillor Maryann Coconut: Community Elder & Traditional Owner. Chairperson of the Indigenous Justice Group

As Councillor of the Napranum Aboriginal community, Maryann’s responsibilities include education and social services. Maryann believes education is essential to community progress. She has led the way completing a Bachelor of Community Management at Maquarie University NS.

Maryann also believes we, the people are the Caretakers of this Land; given to us by the Creator Spirit who is the Creator. We acknowledge Him with adoration and thanksgiving. We the Elders are the Gate Keepers. This is an age old role given to us by our Ancestors. Our knowledge and wisdom of our country is still strong; and will remain invisible and well guarded in our spirit till we die. Our spirit will pass this knowledge on to the next Elder in line.