Yimburu Consulting
Grounded in Engoori® to strengthen leadership, culture and change.
Engoori provides the relational and cultural discipline to underpin all our work.
The Yimburu Story
Yimburu presents two service offering paths which we invite you to explore with us.
Yimburu was born from two decades of MurriMatters Consulting experience and impact, carrying forward a strong legacy into a new chapter. Yimburu, means “life pathways” in the Mithaka language and speaks to pathways of honouring the life journey into wisdom and obligation. It reflects the paths we have walked, those we walk together, and the ones yet to come. Guided by these pathways, Yimburu commits us to the responsibility we have to ourselves, to each other and to Place. Yimburu’s work acknowledges the courage, patience, honour, presence and challenge required to walk our path.
Yimburu presents two service offering paths which we invite you to explore with us.
Guided Pathways
Guided Pathways is Yimburu’s pre-designed workshops and offerings which individuals, teams or organisations can directly step into.
Co-designed Pathways
Co-designed Pathways is leadership, culture, coaching, engagement and change work shaped with you, for your context.
Our Vision
Awakening relational leadership and courageous cultures to navigate complexity and curate change for lasting impact.
Our approach – Engoori®
Central to Yimburu’s work is the Engoori process. Engoori is an ancestral process embedded in Mithaka ways from Kirrenderri Country (Far Western QLD). The Engoori story belongs to Mithaka and the processes that reflect the story were developed by Scott Gorringe OAM and Dr David Spillman. Engoori comprises two distinct processes that both influence and are influenced by each other. The processes connect us to ourselves, to each other and to place. By focusing on what’s strong, not just what’s wrong, Engoori process enable us to strengthen our relationships, hold robust conversations, navigate complex challenges and curate change.
The two distinct processes are Engoori cycle 1 and Engoori cycle 2 and supporting these are the foundations of Engoori. Engoori processes are expandable and applied across all Yimburu’s services. They are not a product but rather the relational and cultural infrastructure to underpin all our work.
The Engoori® experience – walking the work together
Yimburu’s workshops are not passive learning experiences – they are spaces where real leadership and team culture work happens. Guided by the Engoori® process, participants practice the conversations they’ve been avoiding, test assumptions, and strengthen how they listen, decide and lead together. Our facilitators hold the space for the hard yarns, helping teams move through tension and disconnection toward clarity, courage and shared responsibility.
Through this experience, teams begin the work for themselves – rebuilding trust, aligning around what matters and committing to clear actions. Engoori equips them with the practical tools, disciplined processes and shifted mindsets to carry this work back into their spaces, ensuring the growth started in the workshop continues in everyday leadership and organisational culture practices.
Engoori® Protocols
Foundations of Engoori®
Everything we do at Yimburu is shaped by the four foundations of Engoori®. These are:
Acknowledging Country
Building both the confidence and cultural integrity in acknowledging place by exploring it’s purpose, significance and responsibilities it carries.
Check-in / check-out
A reflective practice which supports individuals and teams to slow down, connect, listen deeply and honour each individual’s voice and experience.
Setting the Circle
A team culture practice that supports courage, patience, honour, challenge and shared accountability, while understanding how power is at play within the group.
Conversational Process
Through the position of self, others and the group or system, individuals and teams learn to invite multiple perspectives and notice how beliefs, feelings and assumptions shape interactions and decisions.
Engoori® Cycle 1 – Strength and Belonging
Engoori 1 Strength and Belonging is the foundational stage of the Engoori process – focusing on remembering and reconnecting to place, to one another, and to self. It provides a culturally grounded approach to building relational trust and resetting the way we work together. Participants explore how culture is shaped by patterns of perception, behaviour, and relationships and how these influence organisational systems. The workshop fosters the behaviours and rituals that underpin a courageous, inclusive and high-performing culture, resulting in the group producing a Cultural Action Plan.
Through Engoori 1 Strength and Belonging, teams build the cultural and relational foundations necessary for collaboration, reflection and shared purpose.
Engoori® Cycle 2 Navigating Complexity and Curating Change
Engoori® 2 builds on the relational and cultural foundations established in Engoori® 1, supporting individuals, teams and organisations to work confidently with complexity and change. This stage of the Engoori process recognises that organisational and social challenges are rarely simple or linear, and that sustainable change emerges through strong relationships, shared understanding and disciplined ways of working together. Participants deepen their capacity to notice patterns, hold multiple perspectives and engage with uncertainty without retreating to quick fixes or surface-level solutions.
Through Engoori® 2, teams are supported to move beyond managing change as a series of tasks, and instead curate change as an ongoing, collective practice. The process strengthens teams ability to work productively with difference and align culture, leadership and systems to purpose. Engoori® 2 enables groups to respond to evolving internal and external influences with clarity, courage and shared ownership, embedding change that is relationally grounded and culturally sustainable.
Engoori® Changing the Conversation
– Deficit Discourse
Yimburu’s Changing the Conversation training workshops and Engoori processes support individuals, teams and organisations to recognise and shift deficit-based thinking – where individuals or communities are viewed through a lens of deficiency – toward a strengths-based, relational approach grounded in respect, curiosity and equity.
The training is essential for creating environments that support self-determination, belonging, safety and relational trust. We offer Engoori Changing the Conversation training through our industry leading Deficit Discourse research (Fforde et al, 2013) which gives individuals and teams the tools required to transform organisations beyond cultural awareness toward cultural responsiveness and safety. Through our research we found that Deficit Discourse does not discriminate, and because it is so deeply embedded, we are all socialised into it. Our training allows participants to recognise where it exists and utilise their strengths to challenge the assumption that sits behind it.
We currently offer this training with a focus on the Deficit Discourse surrounding First Nations people and communities.
Engoori® Coaching – Respectful Relationships
Engoori® Coaching is a culturally grounded approach to professional coaching that centres respectful relationships as the foundation for growth, leadership and change. Working from the Engoori process, coaching supports individuals and groups to reflect on how their assumptions, behaviours and relational patterns influence the way they lead, work and engage with others. This approach creates space for honest reflection, accountability and learning, while maintaining cultural safety, dignity and care.
Engoori® Coaching strengthens the capacity of individuals and teams to navigate complexity, hold difference and act with intention in their roles. Coaching engagements are shaped by context and purpose, and can stand alone or support broader leadership, culture and change work. Through respectful, relational practice, Engoori® Coaching supports people to strengthen self-awareness, build relational confidence and contribute positively to the cultures and communities they are part of.
Our Team
Scott Gorringe, OAM (Mithaka)
Founder and Managing Director
Scott is an experienced facilitator and coach with an established national reputation in leadership development and a proud recipient of the Order of Australia medal (2025) for his contributions to leadership development and services to Indigenous communities. Scott believes our biggest challenge as a society is to reconnect with self, others and place and is passionate about bringing people together around approaches to complex challenges.
Realising that deficit discourse about First Nations people was active in education and schools, he co-developed Engoori® in 2006 to change the way in which school communities perceive, talk and think about teaching and learning in the context of First Nations education. Engoori® has since developed further to support leadership development, organisational culture and change management across organisations and teams.
Scott is the founder of Yimburu Consulting (formerly MurriMatters Consulting), fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, and served as the Chief Investigator on the Australian Research Council grant (ANU). He is Yimburu’s Lead Facilitator, guiding clients through transformative and culturally grounded experiences while providing mentoring and development to Yimburu’s facilitators and coaches.
Jakarra Hill
Director of Strategy and Practice
Jakarra (Jak) is the Director of Strategy and Practice at Yimburu Consulting and an experienced Engoori facilitator. Alongside Scott, she leads the design, delivery and stewardship of Yimburu’s leadership, culture and change work. As a systems thinker grounded in strengths-based practice, Jak works relationally to deepen understanding of complex challenges and support the development of courageous and responsive ways of working. With a background in elite sport, Jak has applied her leadership experience from the sporting field to government and NGO leadership positions. She holds a bachelor’s in applied science, majoring in Outdoor Leadership and is currently completing a Master of Social Work. Since joining Yimburu in 2021, Jak has combined expertise in project management, leadership development, safety, facilitation and cultural change to create thoughtful, courageous and learning-focused environments for all clients.
Todd Gorringe (Mithaka)
Facilitator
Todd is a facilitator at Yimburu Consulting, working across leadership programs to support experiential learning and relational development through the Engoori® process. As a proud Mithaka man, Todd brings a strong commitment to community, relationships and strengths-based practice, creating environments where individuals and teams can connect, reflect and grow through shared experience.
Todd leads the design and delivery of Yimburu’s youth leadership programs, supporting young people to build confidence, resilience and a strong sense of identity as they navigate their pathways. His work is grounded in deep listening, cultural integrity and practical engagement, ensuring participants are actively involved in their learning and development.
With a background in outdoor education, youth development and community-based work, Todd has experience delivering programs that support personal growth, leadership and wellbeing. Across all of his work, Todd is focused on building strong relationships and creating opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.
Tamika Mitchell (Yadhaigana/Kaanju/Mer Island)
Administration and Client Officer
As a proud Kaanju/Yadhaigana/Meriam woman, Tamika is driven by the legacy and excellence of communities, grounded in a commitment to cultural integrity and a strong sense of duty to support those she works alongside. Her approach focuses on creating environments where others feel supported and connected to work purposefully toward meaningful outcomes.
In her role as Client and Administration Officer at Yimburu, Tamika supports the administration and delivery of programs and engagements, contributing to a positive experience for clients and partners. She plays a key role in nurturing relationships, coordinating and supporting the delivery of Yimburu’s work. Her role reflects a commitment to positively supporting others, ensuring environments and experiences are grounded in cultural integrity.
Tamika brings experience across program management, strategic policy, and executive communication, having worked across government, private, and community-based sectors. Her background includes work within the Australian Government in foreign affairs, where she supported regional security strategy implementation, ministerial and executive communications, and the coordination of high-level international dialogues. She has also worked alongside Indigenous businesses, organisations, and community cohorts, supporting programs, business development and meaningful engagements across different regions.
Yimburu Facilitators, Coaches and Associates
Yimburu works alongside a trusted network of deadly facilitators, consultants and collaborators who share our commitment to relational practice, cultural integrity and strengths-based ways of working. Our associates bring experience across leadership development, organisational culture, community engagement, safety and systems change, and are engaged based on the needs, context and aspirations of our clients. Together, we form a collective grounded in respect, care and shared responsibility, enabling Yimburu to deliver work that is thoughtful, responsive and culturally safe. Where appropriate, we proudly acknowledge our associates, recognising the expertise and leadership they bring to this work.
Partnerships
Yimburu partners with select organisations that share our values and commitment to culturally grounded, strengths-based and relational approaches to change. These partnerships bring together complementary expertise, resources and capabilities, enabling us to deliver larger-scale, integrated and system-level work for our clients. By working in genuine partnership, we are able to design and deliver holistic services that respond to our clients needs and create sustainable impact across organisations, communities and systems.
Case Studies
& Research
Yimburu Consulting produces consultancy reports and actively engages with research to constantly improve its services.
Outputs
Gorringe, S. & D. Spillman 2013: ‘“How are we together?” Focusing “cultural work” in Indigenous education on practices and capabilities of “good relating” through strengths-based conversations and approaches.’ Presentation to the National Indigenous Education Conference, Sydney.
Gorringe, S. 2013 ‘More than 40,000 years’ experience in sustainable management.’ Presentation at the Lake Eyre Basin: Under the spotlight Conference, Longreach, Queensland.
Fforde, C., Bamblett, L., Lovett, R., Gorringe S. & W. Fogarty 2013: Discourse, deficit and identity: Aboriginality, the race paradigm and the language of representation in contemporary Australia Media International Australia 149:162-173.
Gorringe, S. 2012: ‘See Me in a Different Way’. Presentation at the National Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Conference, Canberra.
Gorringe, S. 2011: ‘Changing the Conversation – from one of Deficit to one of Strength.’ Paper presented at AIATSIS National Indigenous Studies Conference, Canberra.
Gorringe, S. 2011: Facilitator of ‘Indigenous Men’s Talking Circle: Social and Emotional Wellbeing’ at AIATSIS Native Title Conference, Brisbane.
Gorringe, S. 2011: Facilitation and planning of second AIATSIS Change the Conversation workshop, Canberra.
Gorringe, S. 2011: Facilitator of ‘Indigenous Talking Circle: Speaking from Strength’ at AIATSIS Native Title Conference, Canberra.
Gorringe, S. & D. Spillman 2011: ‘Engoori. A strength based approach to complex intercultural challenges’. DVD produced by MurriMatters Pty Ltd. Duration: 26 minutes.
Gorringe, S. Ross, J. & C. Fforde 2011: ‘“Will the real Aborigine please stand up”: strategies for breaking the stereotypes and changing the conversation’. AIATSIS Discussion Paper No.28. Canberra: AIATSIS.
Gorringe, S. 2008: ‘Creating an Indigenous Family Support Service.’ RAI Project West Moreton Qld. Unpublished report for Department of Communities.
Gorringe, S. & Spillman, D. 2011: ‘Developing a parent, carer, school partnership agreement framework.’ Unpublished report for the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations, Queensland.
Gorringe, S. 2010: ‘Honouring our Strengths – Moving Forward’. Keynote Paper from the 2010 Annual Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA) Conference, published in Education in Rural Australia, Vol. 21(1) 2011.
Gorringe, S. 2010: ‘See Me in a Different Way’. Paper presented at Central Queensland Department of Regional Innovation Conference, Yepoon.
Gorringe, S. 2009: Facilitation and planning of first AIATSIS Change the Conversation workshop, Ipswich.
Gorringe, S. & D. Spillman 2008: ‘Creating Stronger Smarter Learning Communities: The role of Culturally Competent Leadership. Paper presented at the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education, Melbourne, Australia 2008
Gorringe, S. 2007: ‘Ipswich and Gold Coast Community Brokers Project’. Unpublished report for Indigenous Coordination Centres.
Gorringe, S. 2006. ‘A Perspective of Western Cultural Influences on Indigenous Australian Leadership Styles’. Unpublished Masters Thesis, Rural Systems Management, University of Queensland.
Allison, J., Gorringe, S. & J. Lacey 2006: ‘Building learning communities; Partnerships, social capital and VET performance.’ Report for National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
Keith, K., Ross, H. & S. Gorringe 2006: ‘Regional partnership agreements on prioritised investment strategies for the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.’ Final Report for SE03 – Social Research, Development and Extension.
Gorringe, S. 2005: ‘Currents of Culture’. Paper presented at the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2005.