Who We Are

Colin Saltmere (“Beo”) is a senior Indjalandji-Dhidhanu traditional owner of the Camooweal region in North-West Queensland and serves as Managing Director of the Myuma Group of companies. Since the 1990s, Colin has overseen the transformation of the Myuma Group from a small corporation into a diverse business and service delivery operation supporting communities across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

He has led the development of Bulugudu Ltd, the Indjalandji-Dhidhanu people’s biotechnology, research, and development company, which draws on traditional knowledge. This work resulted in the establishment of a pilot spinifex biotechnology manufacturing lab at Camooweal to advance commercial applications of spinifex fibre. A spinoff company, Trioda Wilingi, is majority-owned by Indjalandji-Dhidhanu people.

Recently, Colin led the acquisition of 65,000 hectares of land to create an Indigenous Innovation Hub in North-West Queensland. His expertise in Indigenous training, economic development, and land management is widely recognised, and he has contributed to numerous industry, regional, state, and commonwealth leadership groups and committees.

Colin is the inaugural Chairperson of Australia’s first independent, Indigenous-led National Indigenous Science Translation Centre and a board member of the Queensland Indigenous Business Network. He also serves on IP Australia’s Indigenous Knowledge Panel. In 2021, Colin was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his significant service to the Indigenous communities of North-West Queensland.

Peter Jeffries is a respected Senior Pinikura Lore man from the Pilbara region of Western Australia, widely acknowledged for his leadership in the protection and advancement of Indigenous heritage and community development.

Peter has played a pivotal role in the recognition and safeguarding of cultural heritage in the Murujuga region, advocating for the respectful integration of traditional knowledge systems into contemporary land and resource management. His deep cultural authority and integrity have enabled him to build strong relationships across community, government, industry, and academia.

Through his work, Peter continues to ensure that Indigenous voices, law, and knowledge are central to decision-making processes that impact Country, culture, and future generations.

Pearl Connelly is a Mitakoodi Elder from Cloncurry, Queensland, and a respected custodian of cultural and ecological knowledge. She is the author of Kar-kar: Mitakoodi Traditional Medicinal Plant Uses of the Cloncurry Region, a significant work documenting 27 native plants and their traditional medicinal uses. Taught by her grandmothers and Elders, Pearl has spent her life preserving and passing on the wisdom of her people to ensure it continues to benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

As a Director of the NISTC, Pearl brings cultural leadership and insight to the Centre’s mission of translating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander science knowledge into contemporary innovation. Her guidance ensures the NISTC remains grounded in respect for Country and culture while fostering a vibrant Indigenous entrepreneurial economy

Troy Fraser is the Chief Executive Officer of the Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council and is based in Doomadgee, Queensland. With over 25 years of experience across local and state government, the private sector, and not-for-profit organisations, Troy brings a deep understanding of community development, social enterprise, and program delivery in Indigenous contexts.

An alumnus of Curtin University, Troy is highly skilled in capacity building, government engagement, program evaluation, and coaching. His leadership is grounded in a strong commitment to strengthening Indigenous communities through sustainable economic development while protecting culture and traditional knowledge.

Troy’s passion for empowering communities aligns with NISTC’s mission to support Indigenous-led innovation and enterprise across Australia.

Barbara Olsen is a proud Boonthamurra woman. The eldest of eight children, Barbara has deep roots in both Boonthamurra and Kullilli Country, reflecting the heritage of both her mother and father.

Barbara has dedicated her life to the preservation and advancement of her people’s rights and culture. She played a central role in the Boonthamurra people’s successful 10-year journey to Native Title recognition in 2015, working alongside her brother Mark Wallace and cousin Barbara Bond.

Her leadership has extended across many areas, including serving as a Director of the Boonthamurra Aboriginal Corporation and working as a Cultural Heritage Officer, where she undertook extensive heritage clearances across Country in partnership with oil and gas companies. Barbara has also been an advocate for the protection of the Lake Eyre Basin, contributing her voice and cultural authority to regional conservation efforts.

A deeply respected matriarch, Barbara remains committed to passing on Boonthamurra knowledge to future generations. Her passion for cultural education, land protection, and community empowerment continues to inspire her family and her community.

Richard is the Managing Director of the National Indigenous Science and Technology Centre (NISTC), leading its vision to stimulate a vibrant Indigenous entrepreneurial economy by leveraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander science knowledge. With over 30 years’ experience in innovation, marketing, and corporate affairs across major Australian organisations, Richard brings deep expertise in driving commercial growth, sustainability, and strategic partnerships.

He has worked extensively with Bulugudu and Indigenous communities to co-develop initiatives that embed cultural knowledge in economic development, including projects in land management, science innovation, and community enterprise. Richard is passionate about creating opportunities where Indigenous knowledge and contemporary science intersect to deliver lasting social and economic impact.