Bridging cultures through creative expression and collaboration

David Williams from Gilimbaa creative agency in New York

Gilimbaa means 'today' in the language of the Wakka Wakka people of Central Queensland.

And today, and indeed every day since forming in 2008, creative agency Gilimbaa proudly shares rich and diverse First Nations cultures with people around Australia through strong partnerships with community and their clients.

Gilimbaa's dedication to celebrating First Nations culture shines through its services, which span community engagement, artwork consultation, brand development, animations, copywriting, graphic design, photography and more.

Business Development Manager, Paul McBride, said that culture was at the heart of everything Gilimbaa does.

"As a proudly 100% Indigenous-owned business, Gilimbaa's great joy is in forming strong partnerships and working hand in hand with community and clients to achieve lasting creative impacts," he said.

"We are driven by the power and process of storytelling and the role this plays in the sharing and celebration of First Nations culture and community."

"We are in a fortunate position whereby we are helping to shape the narrative of our nation, to allow for a shared appreciation and understanding of the oldest continuing cultures on the planet."

A range of services with a cultural focus

What sets Gilimbaa apart from other creative agencies is the ability to walk in two worlds – to work closely with government departments and national corporations, while working directly with, and for, First Nations communities across the country.

When David Williams, a proud Wakka Wakka man from Queensland, founded the agency, he saw the opportunity to educate the community and deliver culturally appropriate materials for a range of audiences.

"As a designer and artist, David felt there was an opportunity to use creativity as a way to connect with non-Indigenous Australians and create a platform to learn and engage with culture," Paul said.

"Within 18 months of Gilimbaa's inception, we had worked with some of the top corporates in the country and this cemented our place in the landscape of creative agencies.

"During our 15 years, we've been fortunate to travel around the country, connecting with communities as they've shared with us their stories in ways that allow a greater appreciation and understanding of the culture of Australia's First Peoples."

Celebrating Indigenous culture in Brisbane

In partnership with Brisbane City Council, Gilimbaa embarked on a project to highlight Council's initiatives celebrating the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the city.

The programs, which include the Indigenous Art Program, cultural trails, and events such as NAIDOC Week and Black History Month, were showcased in a compelling video.

Gilimbaa's unique approach to storytelling, cultural preservation, and community engagement continues to garner attention and recognition, both locally and globally.

By fostering collaboration and celebrating First Nations culture, Gilimbaa is paving the way for a brighter and more culturally-enriched future.

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Topics: business

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.