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Developing First Nations Spiritual Leaders across Australia.

Five Stones Leadership is a three-year Leadership Development Project designed specifically for Christian Indigenous leaders across Australia. Students can be located anywhere in Australia, and the course is delivered through online meetings and on-Country gatherings throughout the year.

Our central theme for the course is exploring Uncle Graham Paulson’s question of what it means to be “Authentically Aboriginal and truly Christian”.

This course is not for everybody. It’s a unique transformational experience that will challenge the way you view culture, your connection to your community, and your place and space in the world.

What is the Five Stones Leadership project?

The story behind this project

This project is the vision of founding Elder, Uncle Rev. Graham Paulson (now retired). Uncle Graham’s God-inspired vision came about when Vincent Lingiari - leader of the Wave Hill Walk-off - requested Uncle Graham to “send back more leaders like yourself.” It led Uncle Graham to devote his life to developing leaders who are strong in their cultural knowledge, and able to navigate current society to see their communities thrive. Uncle Graham partnered with the not-for-profit organisation Australians Together in 2010 to see his vision come to life.

  • “Do it - it gives you a better grounding, better understanding. It helps with everything - practically, spiritually, a deep sense of being grounded in yourself.”

    Sono Leone

  • “Be prepared to do the work. You have to have a passion for your culture to do this work”

    Brad Dungay

  • “Ah do it – it will change your life. It will wake your spirit.”

    Sharyn Malone

  • “It’s about reconnecting to self, to country, and to community. It’s life changing. A great opportunity.”

    Sharon Varcoe

  • “This gives you permission to be who you are, culturally, in who God has called you to be - with no shame attached.”

    Sandra Dumas

Hear from students

How to apply

Entry to Five Stone Leadership courses are via an application form and an interview with Course Elders. You can find out more about the courses here.

  • “I see personal transformation happening - and this is critical for leaders as you lead out of who you are, not what you know or what you do. The transformation of lives, the growth and understanding of themselves, their personal identity and their own culture… I don’t know how you can quantify that.”

    Uncle Graham Paulson

  • “I never allowed myself to go deeper into the cultural perspectives as a Christian until I experienced what I’ve done through the course”

    Uncle Tom Slockee

  • “This course allows people to move at their own pace. There’s no forcing anyone to move, there’s just options and opportunity – and then it was up to us... I want to say it’s a journey of healing.”

    Uncle Don Hayward

  • “I now look with different eyes; I think differently now. I’ve grown in knowing who I am and being confident in it. My heart has changed with a new vision and sense of community. I’m better positioned as a leader, as a person, as a woman. It’s changed me internally, in my thinking, my identity - and my acceptance of my identity.”

    Pastor Sandra Dumas

  • “The setup of this course is so rare, like diamonds. It’s not happening anywhere else. We should not underestimate the value of students being able to apply knowledge and understanding - which results in wisdom.”

    Uncle Clyde Rigney

  • "Through learning, education and understanding over that 12-month journey, it brought me to a place of being at peace, having a strong identity of being an Indigenous person, that I do belong in this nation. I have purpose, I now belong”

    Pastor Adrian Itong

  • “The course has been transforming our whole thinking and being. Because we’ve been encouraged by this, it’s affecting not only our own personal lives but also the way we’re helping our community women get back to feeling that connection to country again. We’re encouraging the women to create their safe space to start their healing journey.”

    Sono Leone

  • What I’ve learned from the course I couldn’t get anywhere else in a mainstream setting

    Richard Cassady

  • “As a young person, going on country was more about a fun family time, but as I go there now with intention, to really look, I now see this is where my family comes from, this is my roots, my connection - it’s beautiful, and we get to call it our home… it’s a deeper connection that’s been created as I become more aware.”

    Brad Dungay

  • “There was just something there - something happened. Just to be out there, hear the stories, stand on that land… even though they were struggling they always knew God was with them - what we go through is nothing compared to what the mob before us went through.”

    Sharyn Malone

  • “This course has opened my eyes to cultural aspects. It' helped me with identity as well, in knowing who I am, and how I carry myself in my community.”

    Aunty Clare Lena

  • “I myself, nor my people have ever had a safe space to be able to share our trauma and loss, but through AT and this course we are able to do so.”

    Aunty Brenda Matthews

  • “The course gave me a personal awareness of what’s actually happening in community and within myself. It’s helped me connect to my own culture.”

    Brad Dungay

  • “The course helped me to remember who I was and where I am from, my connections to country, and prepare me for what I’m doing now. I’m a stronger person in myself, a stronger community member, stronger person in my faith.”

    Sharon Varcoe

  • “This course has inspired me to follow my passion. I now realise I’m a strong Indigenous person with a strong identity and belonging. My ambition to climb the corporate ladder I had 6 months ago has shifted.”

    Tahana Turner