Episode: Transforming Systems from Within – A Conversation with Paul O’Reilly

Recorded on Bidjigal Country, this episode sees Paul O’Reilly (Deputy Secretary, NSW DCJ) join Sam Johnson and Kuyan Mitchell to tackle the big questions around community, justice, and leadership in the public sector.

We dig into the realities of youth justice and out of home care, focusing on the systemic overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people. Paul draws on his diverse background—from youth worker to senior leader—to explore what it means to lead with integrity, the necessity of sharing decision-making power, and how genuine reform requires both humility and practical action.

Whether you’re a policymaker, community advocate, or practitioner on the ground, this conversation offers hard-won lessons, inspiration, and real hope for change.

Key Topics:

• Paul O'Reilly’s personal journey from Ireland to frontline youth work in Sydney and 27 years in the public sector
• The realities and overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth in care and justice systems
• Systemic and institutional racism: recognition, impacts, and strategies for change
• Why sharing decision-making power and bringing community voices to the centre is essential
• The complexities of achieving systems reform inside government silos
• Opportunities for funding and supporting Aboriginal-led organisations and social enterprises
• Leadership lessons: humility, vulnerability, and championing lived experience
• Personal stories of post-traumatic growth and the ongoing connection to frontline practice
• Hopeful trends and what excites Paul about the future of the sector

Quotable Moments:

• “Statutory systems need to be as small as possible—kids and families should only have contact when necessary.”
• “Humility is an enormous strength if you actually want to make progress... it’s about modelling behaviour.”
• “It’s a white system full of black kids. And unless you’re willing to acknowledge that impact, you shouldn’t be in the system.”

Additional Resources:

• Acknowledgement of Country: This episode was recorded on Bidjigal Country and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Learn more about Impact Policy
• Connect/Contact: To partner, collaborate, or learn more, email samjohnson@impactpolicyau.com or follow us on LinkedIn

Support & Community

If you valued this episode, please share it with your networks, leave a review, and help us spread practical learnings and stories that matter.

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Join Sean and Kuyan along with Sam as they dive into the latest episode of the Impact Policy Podcast and together unpack key takeaways from the National Planning Congress in Darwin. Tune in for sharp insights on Aboriginal communities, planning, and community-led change.

Here's what you'll hear about in this episode:

First-hand reflections on the National Planning Institute of Australia Congress, including the growing presence of Aboriginal voices in the sector

The critical role of planning systems in both historical dispossession and empowering future land rights and cultural heritage

Real-world legacy issues still felt by Aboriginal communities due to past planning policies—plus examples of ongoing practical challenges

The importance of co-design, centering Aboriginal voices, and shifting from tokenistic engagement to genuine power-sharing in policy

Standout initiatives, case studies, and award-winning projects leading the way for culturally responsive planning in Australia

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share if you find value in these discussions!

Impact Policy Podcast, Aboriginal communities, planning sector, National Planning Congress, cultural heritage, land rights, co design, community development, legacy issues, social policy, country, colonisation, planning system, native title, agency, country outcomes, community voice, infrastructure, social change, truth telling, co design principles, planning with country, policy, sector reform, impact, Roads to Home, Cumberland Plains, Knowledge Circle

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In this Episode of the Impact policy podcast, Sam Johnson sits down with Terri Janke, a celebrated leader in Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP). Terri shares her passion for empowering First Nations people through arts, culture, and business.

00:00 "ICIP Insights with Terry Janky"

07:36 From Law to Arts Activism

13:26 Copyright Triumph in Aboriginal Art

21:44 Indigenous Cultural Rights Advocacy

26:38 "True Tracks: Indigenous Cultural Integrity"

30:33 True Tracks: Multidisciplinary Collaborative Pathways

33:07 ICIP Empowering Aboriginal Staff

38:23 Aboriginal Staff Accountability Challenges

48:04 Collective Contract Negotiation Strategies

53:01 Repatriation and Community Investment Focus

56:25 Navigating ICIP Disputes Locally

01:03:01 Aboriginal Language Preservation Framework

01:09:32 "Trauma-Informed Strengths-Based Approach"

01:13:00 "Respect and Responsibility for Knowledge"

01:16:33 Guest Appreciation and Contact Info

Here are some keywords for this episode: Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, ICIP, True Tracks framework, Terri Janke, First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, intellectual property rights, copyright law, social justice, cultural heritage, consent, empowerment, knowledge management, community engagement, cultural safety, legal gaps, indigenous knowledge, cultural continuity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Guest Jared Wheatley in this episode of the Impact Policy Podcast as they dive into the complexities of the out of home care system. Discover the challenges and potential solutions for creating a more connected and relational approach to care.

Exploration of Jared Wheatley's 17-year journey in the social sector and his focus on youth work

Discussion on the systemic issues causing relational deprivation for children in care

Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on transforming the child protection system into a more supportive and human-centered child connection system.

00:00 Transforming Out-of-Home Care System

10:16 "Paradigm Shift for Systemic Change"

12:37 Lack of Care in Community Support

17:46 "Reflections on the Stolen Generation"

23:17 Reimagining Justice Investment

31:49 Advocacy for Families in Crisis

35:41 Build Supportive Adult Networks

39:18 Rethinking Community Care Models

44:03 Redefining Success: Community Impact

49:32 "Building Genuine Human Connections"

58:31 Celebrating Resilience in Overcoming Adversity

01:00:15 Empowerment for Survivors

Impact Policy, podcast, Jesse Robinson, Jared Wheatley, Aboriginal land, social change, youth work, out of home care, child protection, relational care, system change, cultural connection, government, social policy, community support, trauma-informed care, child connection system, restoration, lived experience, systemic barriers, co-design, evaluation, practitioner advice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delve into a conversation with Kyan Mitchell, a senior consultant at Impact Policy, as he shares his insightful journey and perspectives from the youth justice sector.

• Kyan's unexpected entry into the justice sector and his professional journey.
• The role of cultural programs in rehabilitation and identity building.
• The significance and challenges of place-based initiatives and decision-making.
• Overcoming the complexities of power sharing in public sector collaborations.
• Evaluating success and impact from a community-centered perspective.

00:00 Interview with Kyan Mitchell

04:32 Recruiting Indigenous Staff Effectively

08:12 "Reimagining Justice Systems"

11:24 Courageous Leadership in Public Sector

15:53 Prison Mentoring and Cultural Activities

16:32 Community and Cultural Disconnect

21:39 "Access Challenges in Public Programs"

25:48 Long-Term Investment in Cultural Work

28:22 "Community-Led Consistent Action"

31:19 "Joining Aboriginal Strategic Unit Journey"

35:00 Building Confidence for Community Engagement

40:01 Minimizing Aboriginal Voices

41:37 Reflecting on Community Consultation Silence

44:57 "Power Sharing for Better Outcomes"

49:03 Empowering Procurement for Impact

53:31 Redefining Impact Metrics in Communities

55:33 Collaborative Success and Community Agency

To access Kuyans thought leadership follow Impact Policy and read his recent article on sharing power works here

Impact Policy Podcast, youth justice, Kyan Mitchell, cultural programs, Aboriginal community, co-design, power sharing, public sector, decision-making, decolonizing justice, Indigenous identity, cultural access, regional vs urban perspectives, community leadership, tendering, procurement, strategic policy, government systems, cultural integration, community support, collaboration, public sector challenges, cultural significance, identity building.

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Today I am joined by Elle Davidson, Managing Director at Zion Engagement and together we explore the complexities around connecting with Country, as a framework and in practice.

Elle shares her professional journey and the impact she has had through her organisation and consulting work. We unpack what great work looks like in this space including access to her upcoming training platform.

This is a valuable episode for anyone working in planning, design, public spaces, environment and Aboriginal Affairs.

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Join Jessie Robinson, proud Wiradjuri man and Senior Consultant CoDesign and Engagement at Impact Policy. Together with Sam we explore Jessies journey to now, his extensive on the ground and community experience and a deep dive into CoDesign in practice, Jessies personal and Cultural approach and unpacking what this looks like in our communities.

1. Introduction

• Host introduction: Sam Johnson
• Acknowledgement of country
• Introduction of guest: Jesse Robinson
• Call to action for listeners to engage with the podcast

1. Jesse Robinson's Background and Journey

• Connection to Sam through the podcast
• Introduction to Jesse's personal and professional journey
• Emphasis on lived experience influencing work
• Incorporating lived experience in projects

1. Professional Experience in Non-Profit and Community Sector

• Jesse's role as a Senior Consultant at Impact Policy
• Prior work in the not-for-profit sector
• Roles in youth work, child protection, and management
• Importance of engagement and accessibility
• Shift to strategy and advocacy roles

1. The Concept of Engagement and Co Design

• Jesse's influence from community-led projects
• Transition to engagement and co design work
• Value of co design in providing agency and self-determination for communities

1. Personal Story and Cultural Influence

• Jesse's upbringing in Peak Hill, Western NSW
• Impact of family, including father's activism
• Mother's role as a foster carer
• Influence of kinship and family on professional work

1. Practical Advice for Working with Young People

• Importance of deep listening
• Building trust and relationships with young people
• Cultural significance and connection to community
• Storytelling as a method for connection

1. Reflections on Co Design Workshop

• Recent co design workshop experience with Australian public service leaders
• Challenges of systemic work and achieving long-term change
• Risk of "co design" becoming a PR or trendy term
• Integration of lived experience as fundamental in co design

1. Challenges and Risks in Co Design Practices

• Importance of strong leadership in co design
• Co design as a tool rather than a solution
• Blurring lines between true community-led and co design work
• The role of government and risk of over-consultation

1. Jesse's Perspectives on Systemic Change

• Reflection on Indigenous-led solutions and community engagement
• Flexibility and adaptation as essential in co design processes
• Trauma-informed approach in engagement

1. Conclusion and Future Outlook

• Jesse's consulting work at Mawang Consulting
• Professional goals and self-determination
• Promoting collaboration and authentic engagement
• Final thoughts and expressions of gratitude between hosts and guest

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