TESTIMONIALS
contact details available upon request
CEO OF COMPLEX ORGANISATION
business plans and large projects management
"In all my years in business, I have never met anyone so professional as David Kelly. I have learned so much from him and want to continue working with him wherever my career goes"
ESTEEMED ABORIGINAL ELDER
delivering reconciliation and culturally-sensitive value
"This man here - David Kelly - has done so much for all our communities up here. He is not only our brother, to us he is Uncle Dave and he is welcome in our community at all times."
FORMER DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
sales - from ideation to manifestation
"David can sense opportunities that others can't see. He brings the amorphous into reality and ensures he guides the team on the journey."
FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL AGRICULTURE BUSINESS
the view of David after working with him for 25+ years
"David is an incredibly talented and hard working individual who remains focused on the job at hand. He readily makes the tough decisions that are often necessary and provides vision and leadership to his team. Talent with discipline and drive are a great combination."
COMPANY CHAIRMAN OF LARGE ORGANISATION AND MD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FIRM
ability to assist from chairperson to hands-on workers
"I have worked with David on a number of occasions in various roles spanning a decade or more. David always demonstrates the highest level of integrity and professionalism in his relationships with business partners even in very challenging circumstances which was the case in our primary corporate relationship. He shows great tenacity and an ability to 'get the job done' even in the face of adversity. Always a pleasure to work with."
FORMER MICROSOFT ASIA PACIFIC DIRECTOR
a collaborative approach
"David was the first Microsoft partner in the APAC region to commit to undertaking 'Realizing Platform Value' training - a visionary commitment, and amazing support for me and the SA Microsoft team who developed the prototype course in Adelaide. David recognized the value and committed the whole customer facing team from KAZ to undertake the training course - fantastic and a great outcome. I had the pleasure of working with David in this and other roles in SA and that risk reward model was always something he was always prepared to consider. You can't ask more from a colleague and a partner - great working with David and happy to do so again at any time."
FORMER EMPLOYEE IN SECOND-LARGEST IT COMPANY IN THE WORLD
outstanding leadership and employee development
"David Kelly was my manager for approx. 6 years and during that time I learnt so much from David. He was a brilliant mentor and a huge support to me. He gave me multiple opportunities to advance in my career which is a true reflection of David’s style as a manager. In fact it was David who first gave me the chance to lead a team. David looks to give all his reports the chance to grow and flourish. David was also very keen to share his knowledge. I still quote David to this day ! I have been very fortunate to have such great managers along my career but will never forget the opportunities that David gave me and thank him for his support while I had the privilege of working for him."
ABORIGINAL ELDER AND CHAIRMAN OF ABORIGINAL MEDIA COMPANY
pro bono work for the vulnerable and disadvantaged
"When David offered to do pro bono work to help us gain grants and sponsorships, it sounded too good to be true. But he delivered. I told him he is a rare breed."
FORMER DIRECTOR OF MULTINATIONAL TELCO
immediate impressions
"It is not very often that I meet someone and think that the person is outstanding. This is exactly what I felt when I met Linda and she has proven that my instinct was right time and time again."
BOARD MEMBER OF GLOBAL ORGANISATIONS
leveraging Aboriginal Elders and expertise
"I have travelled to many places and met many people in my career. I can honestly say I have not met anyone that has impressed me more than Aunty Lavene. Every dealing with her over more than two years has been a delight and insightful. I commend her to anyone and readily see why she is a NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient."
SA FILM CORPORATION
NAIDOC and SA Film Corporation recognition
"Congratulations to Lavene Ngatokorua, who has received the Lifetime Achievement award from Port Augusta Naidoc!
Lavene is an emerging South Australian content creator who we recently supported to attend the AIDC - Australian International Documentary Conference."
INDIGENOUS VOICE
NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award
"Ms Lavene Ngatokorua is a Wankangurru/Adnyamathanha woman and mother to Dre. Lavene is a courageous leader who is recognised for her lifelong advocacy on behalf of community. As an artist and curator Lavene has established a contemporary practice focused on exploring and expressing her cultural connections and strong humanitarian beliefs."
PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 2020
recognition from a Premier
"Premier Steven Marshall acknowledged many Aboriginal communities their respresentatives for extraordinary leadership during South Australia’s response to the COVID-19 national health emergency.
A COVID-Safe awards ceremony was held at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Centre on the evening of Thursday 17 December, at which representatives from 13 Aboriginal communities were recognised for their excellent work to date implementing the necessary arrangements to keep South Australia safe and strong.
Aunty Lavene was recognised for her contributions to the Davenport Community."
NAIDOC - 2020
NAIDOC Person of the Year 2020
"Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation’s Heritage Services Manager Glen Wingfield was last night named Port Augusta NAIDOC 2020 Person of the Year.
Glen’s leadership this year facilitating the highly successful Protecting our People (POP) program (co-led by Kespoke's David Kelly, Aunty Lavene Ngatokorua and Aunty Linda Dare) is just another example of his tireless work supporting community and protecting culture over many years.
His capacity to bring people together and bridge differences with a common cause (and that cheeky smile!) continues to be of great benefit not only to KAC but to the local and wider community as a whole."
NAIDOC - 2020
NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year Award 2020
"Aunty Linda Dare's leadership in facilitating the Protecting our People (POP) program has been recognised at the 2020 Port Augusta NAIDOC Awards last night.
KAC was awarded Organisation of the Year in recognition of the role played in bringing together the Kokatha, Kuyani and Barngarla communities to respond to the COVID crisis.
The POP project team of Glen Wingfield, Lavene Ngatokorua, Linda Dare and David Kelly coordinated support for nearly 900 people from their communities over a 6 month period following the successful application by KAC of Vital Resource Funding from BHP. POP provided safe accommodation, assistance to travel back to country, accommodation kits, medical and hygiene kits, food and breakfast kits through a dedicated band of tireless volunteers from all three communities. At the same time, the purchase of these supplies locally generated over $200,000 for local businesses also impacted by the effects of the pandemic. Congratulations to everyone involved in coming together and delivering this support where and when it was needed.
For her contributions, Aunty Linda was the recipient of the Female Elder of the Year Award."
CEO OF ABORIGINAL MEDIA ORGANISATION
reconciliation and collaboration
"It is so good to see white fella Simon Laister volunteering his time to help our Aboriginal Communities. He is helping everyone to work together, no matter what race and creed.
Simon is as much a black fella as a white fella to us."