David Williams | Innovating Indigenous storytelling

David is a proud Wakka Wakka man from Central Queensland who founded Gilimbaa in 2008 – a full-service creative agency specialising in Indigenous preservation, education, and storytelling. Influenced by his immediate family and Elders, David uses his creative talent to connect his culture with the wider community. Gilimbaa has grown under his leadership, becoming a prominent force in promoting Indigenous culture through innovative and impactful projects. Beyond his work with Gilimbaa, David serves as the chairperson of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art’s Indigenous Advisory Group, is a Board of Trustees member with the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, and was honoured as the QUT Outstanding Indigenous Alumnus in 2022.

The QUT Alumni team sat down with David to chat about his career, inspiration and the power of connection.

Gilimbaa is now in its 16th year. Can you tell us more about the agency?

As an agency, we are driven by storytelling and the role it plays in the education and celebration of our culture and community. We use our creativity to connect with audiences, and are fortunate to have worked on a range of exciting projects that have taken us to many different places and spaces.

Nestled amongst your work as a musician, public speaker and storyteller is your artwork. What mediums do you work in and what inspires you?

I work primarily at Gilimbaa in the digital application of artwork. We are not a static culture - by using the tools and technology available to us, we can tell our stories in a variety of different ways. From vector-based artwork to film and strategic communications, we are telling our stories our way to ensure the preservation and celebration of culture and community.

What are some of your career highlights?

There have been many, from performing at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, to creating the NITV brand, to more recently working with my daughter on a bespoke artwork for Goodstart Early Learning. These are all examples of showcasing culture and connecting with a wider audience.

What emerging issue do you think will have the greatest impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the next 5-10 years?

If I look at the areas in which Gilimbaa operates, I think the biggest impact on our mob will be the development of the Indigenous business sector. Technology is becoming an increasingly normalised tool for starting and growing Indigenous businesses. Now more than ever, technology has made it easier to provide employment opportunities to our community, showcase positive role models, and advocate for the sector to grow in an appropriate and sustainable way.

In March this year you made the pilgrimage to Everest base camp as part of Blak Trekkers – a team created to support the First Nations Lived Experience Centre. Can you tell us what it mean to you to be a part of this incredible team of six Indigenous Australians?

It was a life changing and humbling experience. To be in the presence of a deadly group of brothers and sisters, with the aim of reaching the base of the world’s highest peak will stay with me forever. The challenges, emotions, stories and experiences throughout the trek really brought home our own experiences of mental health, and ultimately the awareness and fundraising aspect was the motivation behind the trek.

The Blak Trekkers at Everest Base Camp in Nepal

What can non-Indigenous people do in their daily lives to create a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?

Spend time to gain a better understanding and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture, stories and history. Promote inclusivity, build relationships with the community and, perhaps most importantly, spend the time to educate yourself. Not all of us can be your Black Google!

David Williams

QUT degree - Bachelor of Music (2005).

Have a question for David? Connect with him on LinkedIn.