Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources
(Gamarada meaning, Friends with purpose in Gadigal)
At the heart of Gamarada is a strong culture of resilience, healing, and leadership, rooted in Indigenous values and knowledge. The company’s approach is holistic, recognising the importance of cultural safety and the need for local, community-led solutions. Gamarada is committed to fostering environments where individuals and communities can thrive, emphasising collaboration and inclusion in all its projects.
Kire Zulumovski, (Kir’a-Dhàn), is of Gubbi-Gubbi, First Nations Australian, and Macedonian descendance. Ken is the founder of the private consultancy, Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources Pty Ltd. A story that traces back to the personal journey of its founder, Kir’a-Dhàn, who transformed his life from a vulnerable youth to a community organiser. At age 16, Ken overcame juvenile crime convictions and single parent welfare dependence, and embarked on a 10-year career in the Australian Army Reserve, serving as an Artillery Crew Commander and Defence Career Advisor. This period shaped his leadership and resilience and fuelled his commitment to support vulnerable communities.
Ken’s work in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health, spanning roles in mental health, and HIV prevention, further informed his understanding of the critical needs of Indigenous communities. In 2011, Ken founded Gamarada, drawing on his military, health, and community service experiences.
The company has since grown into a respected consultancy, providing health, research, and evaluation and Aboriginal led trauma recovery for inmates of NSW prisons. G.U.I.R works to promote community cohesion with a focus on marginalised groups who may be at risk of radicalisation. This work was recognised by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet with an Excellence Award for Building Leadership in Indigenous Communities.
GUIR’s development reflects Ken’s personal transformation and the company’s mission to address the intersecting challenges of health, justice, social, cultural and economic inclusion. In recognition of his significant contributions to Australian society, Ken was awarded an honorary Doctor of Health Sciences by the University of Sydney in 2019.
Operating parallel with G.U.I.R, Ken founded Gamarada Indigenous Healing and Life Training Pty Ltd. The DGR and TE status charity, responds to the therapeutic and educational need for culturally safe community programs targeting family violence, addiction, suicide prevention and family dislocation. This work was independently validated by UNSW in 2014. The charity also functions to improve access to education, justice and health care.
The Difference
- Indigenous-Led Expertise: Founded by Gubbi-Gubbi man Ken Zulumovski, GUIR offers culturally responsive services grounded in Indigenous values and perspectives.
- Holistic Approach: GUIR’s solutions combine Western psychology with First Nations wisdom, addressing mental, social, and cultural well-being.
- Community-Centric Solutions: GUIR prioritises co-design and co-commissioning involving community members in developing local initiatives to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
- Diverse Service Offerings: GUIR provides specialised services across sectors, including Aboriginal led trauma recovery, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills coaching, cultural safety training, mental health support, and community healing programs for adults and youth.
- Proven Impact and Recognition: With over 30 years of experience, GUIR has demonstrated significant positive impact and received numerous awards for its effective programs and industry influence.
