Our Story
The Dreaming Collective was founded to bring cultural knowledge and business expertise together in a way that creates meaningful, practical and lasting impact. As a proud First Nations–led consultancy, our work is grounded in cultural integrity, strong relationships and a deep understanding of the communities and organisations we work with.
Our purpose is to bridge the gap between cultural understanding and organisational practice. We work with businesses, governments and communities to develop strategies, strengthen governance, design engagement approaches and create programs and partnerships that are inclusive, practical and future-focused.
The Dreaming Collective brings together experience, knowledge and diverse perspectives to support better decision-making, stronger relationships and sustainable outcomes. Across every project, we are committed to quality, professionalism and culturally informed practice.
The Dreaming Collective was founded by Carly Forrest, a proud Mandandanji woman based on Kabi Kabi Country. With more than a decade of experience across First Nations engagement, governance, strategy and business, Carly brings a strong ability to translate cultural insight into practical organisational outcomes and build partnerships that are meaningful, respectful and effective.
Carly also brings extensive governance experience through her work as a Board Director and committee member across First Nations, not-for-profit and community-focused organisations. Her board experience strengthens her understanding of governance, risk, strategy, accountability and organisational leadership, and informs the practical advice she provides to clients navigating complex organisational and community environments.
Carly is Mandandanji/Mandandanyi through her maternal grandmother’s line from Roma in south-west Queensland, through her Nan, Elizabeth Anderson. She is also connected to Gamilaraay through her Nan’s Mother and Wangan, Kangalou/Gangulu and Darumbal through her maternal grandfather’s line, her Pop, Brian Landers. Like many Aboriginal families in Queensland, Carly’s family history also includes connections to Cherbourg, where her great-grandparents met and began their family, and to Myora Mission on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), where her Pop was born. She comes from a large, proud and close-knit family with a strong tradition of setting an example for younger generations and supporting one another to create opportunities for the future. Through her non-Indigenous father’s line, Carly can also trace family connections to County Clare in Ireland. Family remains central to Carly’s life. She values time spent together sharing stories, laughter and good food, and as a mother of two, she treasures the opportunity to raise them in community and take her children home to Country to strengthen their connection to family, culture and place.