Pauly Vandenbergh
Pauly Vandenbergh is a Wirangu and Kokatha man, cultural educator, entrepreneur and changemaker.
His life’s work is grounded in a single belief: that when Aboriginal young people are connected to identity, culture and opportunity, they can transform their future — and ours.
Founder
Owner
Chief Storyteller
Pauly is the founder of several impact-driven ventures including the Tjindu Foundation, Aboriginal Basketball Academy, Munda Wines, and Indigenous-owned seafood business Wanna Mar. Each reflects a different facet of his purpose: to honour Country, shift narratives, and open real-world pathways for Aboriginal people.
From his early years in Ceduna to a professional basketball career with the NBL, Pauly’s journey has spanned sport, education, cultural consulting, and community development. He has worked in state government, led Aboriginal programs at the Port Adelaide Football Club, and currently serves as the National Diversity Talent Manager at the AFL.
Through his business, Vandenbergh Consulting, Pauly delivers cultural awareness programs to workplaces across the country — often using his own story to help others build the confidence and knowledge needed to work respectfully with Aboriginal people.
Pauly holds a Diploma of Community Development, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and is completing an MBA with the University of Adelaide. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and brings a sharp sense of strategy to all of his work.
Across every role, Pauly centres the values he was raised with: care for land, care for people, and tell the truth with integrity. Whether he’s sharing wine, walking Country, or mentoring our future leaders, his leadership is quiet, powerful, and impactful.
Work with Pauly
As part of his ongoing advocacy, Pauly works with a very limited number of cultural education clients each year. If you are interested in engaging Pauly to deliver cultural education training, Reconciliation Action Plan support or customised engagement with your business or community, please reach out:
