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The Dreaming Collective
The Dreaming Collective Podcast is a powerful, ongoing series amplifying First Nations voices — our stories, our way. Born from a 2024 NAIDOC Week initiative celebrating the theme Keep the Fire Burning: Blak, Loud & Proud, the podcast continues to elevate the rich personal stories, cultural wisdom, and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples connected to Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country on the Sunshine Coast.
Created, led and hosted by Carly Forrest — a proud Mandandanji woman and founder of The Dreaming Collective — this 100% Indigenous-led platform centres community, culture, truth-telling, and legacy.
Originally funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency as part of a 2024 National NAIDOC Week Activity, The Dreaming Collective Podcast has grown into an enduring space to honour our past, speak our present, and shape our future.
Blak voices. Cultural insight. Collective wisdom.
The Dreaming Collective
Holly Johnson
Holly Johnson is a proud Gooreng Gooreng woman, a Mother, Nan and world traveller. Holly commenced her career journey working in Indigenous community-controlled organisations and has since worked across the higher education, not for profit and corporate sectors. Holly has held both state based and national roles across recruitment, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous affairs. Holly has completed a Bachelor of Business (HRM & Marketing) from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Holly has been instrumental in developing and implementing workplace policies that foster culturally safe and inclusive environments. Her leadership in initiatives such as the development of reconciliation action plans highlights her ability to drive meaningful change. She is passionate about empowering workplaces to better support Indigenous employees and create pathways for engagement, stating that simple steps towards understanding Indigenous culture can lead to a more empathetic and informed workforce.
In this episode, Holly Johnson shares her personal journey, including a pivotal moment in her life when she decided to return to university at age 30, which marked a significant shift in her career. Holly emphasises the importance of recognising the roots of significant cultural milestones such as NAIDOC Week, reminding us that while it is a time for joy and pride, it is also a call to action for ongoing progress. Holly’s dedication to uniting people through education and cultural awareness reflects her vision for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Throughout the discussion, Holly's resilience, drive and unwavering Black, loud and proud spirit shine through, serving as an inspiration for listeners.
Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.