Who We Are
All About us
Aspire (First Nations) Pty Ltd is a 100% Aboriginal owned business launched by Craig Aspinall in 2023 to address a clear need for First Nations communities to improve their governance, resolve conflict and agree on strategies and actions to allow forward progress towards their aspirations in a respectful, culturally safe and unified way.
Our team have over 70 years collective experience working with First Nations communities, government, private and not-for-profit sectors. We have observed significant change over several decades, where recognition and a willingness to partner with First Nations people has significantly grown.
In many instances these potential partners become ‘frozen’, unwilling or too fearful to act due to real or perceived concerns around First Nations governance, community conflict or complex cultural matters.
We know that First Nations communities just need to be given the time and space to sort out their business in a supported, culturally safe and structured environment. Our team are here to help deliver just that!
The Aspire (First Nations) Model© draws upon the visual theme of the Rainbow Serpent, our creator spirit, to guide us as we explore the traditional values and behaviours of our ancestors (Country, Culture, Inter-Connectedness, Family, Lore, Respect) along the pathway to reaching collective agreement and a way forward.
Dawn is a Gamilaroi woman with strong family connection to Weilwan Country, currently living on Awabakal Country. Dawn has a strong connection to Country and is a respected and trusted knowledge holder on Aboriginal histories, tradition, and practice.
Dawn’s expertise is engaging with local Aboriginal communities and is a highly respected mentor, advisor and advocate for Aboriginal communities who are dealing with government departments and corporations.
Dawn has been working within Aboriginal communities for over 40 years in various roles from the management and protection of Country and our flora, fauna and cultural heritage to post-release and early youth intervention programs.
Dawn’s passion has always been to advocate for space for the Aboriginal community in decision making processes, while also being a strong voice for the silences often experienced by Aboriginal women.
Dawn’s calm and measured approach to community engagement seeks to ensure that all voices are valued, acknowledged and heard at all times.
Senior Associate
Meet The Team
Our team, enriched with a blend of authentic leadership, expertise in complex negotiations, and a strong kinship to Country, ardently champions the voice and aspirations of First Nations communities across Australia. Bringing decades of expertise in community engagement and strategic governance, we ensure every First Nations voice is not only heard but resonates in each decision and dialogue.
Forged from authentic leadership and kinship to Country, fervently advocates for First Nations communities across Australia. With decades of expertise, we ensure every voice echoes in our strategic governance and community engagement.
Craig is a Birpai man from the Great Lakes area of NSW, currently living on Awabakal Country.
Craig has a life-long commitment to assisting Aboriginal communities to have a voice and achieve their aspirations in the management of Country, culture and well-being.
Having completed numerous academic, leadership, governance and professional development qualifications over a 30-year career, Craig’s authentic leadership, self-awareness and high ethical standards are now being strongly realised.
Craig is one of a small number of people who have recently been certified* as a Complex Agreement Negotiatior, specialising in negotiation, mediation and facilitation services for complex governance and cultural matters in First Nations communities.
Craig applies a professional, culturally safe, yet down-to-earth approach to his work, always with a keen eye for detail. Craig’s goal is to encourage all people to be more inclusive, understanding, kind and considerate.
Craig Aspinall
Founder & Managing Director
Dawn Townsend
We know that First Nations communities just need to be given the time and space to sort out their business in a supported, culturally safe and structured environment. Our team are here to help deliver just that!
The Aspire (First Nations) Model© draws upon the visual theme of the Rainbow Serpent, our creator spirit, to guide us as we explore the traditional values and behaviours of our ancestors (Country, Culture, Inter-Connectedness, Family, Lore, Respect) along the pathway to reaching collective agreement and a way forward.