Led by Martu. Measured by Martu.
Shaped by Martu Voices: Goals that reflect community priorities and cultural strength.
Martu-led Evaluations: Success measured through ongoing reflection, learning, and community-driven evaluation.
Building Strong Futures: Creating opportunities that strengthen culture and support generations to come.
In 2025, KJ and Social Ventures Australia released Walking the Talk, an independent report that examines what government can learn from nearly two decades of Martu-led work.
The report highlights how the KJ Model delivers real outcomes through cultural leadership, community development and genuine partnership, providing a proven example of what effective collaboration between Aboriginal communities and government looks like.
Walking the Talk: What government can learn from the KJ Model
Walking the talk means doing things differently
Governments have long promised to work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal communities, but progress has been slow. The Walking the Talk report shows how the KJ Model turns commitment into action by moving from control to collaboration and from program delivery to shared purpose and accountability.
Government needs a new strategy to walk the talk of the National Agreement. The KJ Model shows how.
Real change starts when communities lead
Walking the Talk shows how the KJ Model, led by Martu, builds strength, pride and opportunity. It keeps culture strong and supports Martu empowerment and leadership. It’s proof of what’s possible when Aboriginal-led organisations and communities lead the way.
“I’m proud, happy, we can change the future for the better. Without this, we’d be drinking, in lock-up, fighting. KJ have changed a lot of people’s lives. This gives us a chance to change our lives. We are now in charge.”
Martu person
A proven model for lasting change
As highlighted in Walking the Talk, the KJ Model offers a proven alternative to business as usual. Built on trust and long-term partnership, it shows what’s possible when governments walk alongside communities with respect, listening and a shared purpose for change.
“KJ is our organisation. It does what we want and need to do. It listens to Martu and grows with us. We try new programs and keep growing. KJ listens to Martu. It comes from Martu”
Martu person
In 2021, Martu defined for themselves what success looks like: keeping families strong, staying healthy, caring for Country and language, and building safer, connected communities.
In late 2024 and 2025, KJ and Social Ventures Australia revisited these outcomes with Martu to measure progress and see how things have changed.
Think Martu. Think Differently. Act Differently.
The 2025 KJ Progress Report shows clear improvement and continued across almost all 12 Martu-defined outcomes
Change you can see
The 2025 report shows clear improvement across almost all 12 outcomes. Families are stronger, health is improving and more Martu are returning home to community and Country.
The 2025 results show Martu see KJ making a strong and lasting difference.
KJ programs are helping Martu families stay strong, supporting women’s leadership and bringing people back to Country. The 2025 report shows how families, health and youth programs are strengthening communities through Martu knowledge and leadership.
100 % of Martu said KJ is helping a lot with family and kids
“We take our kids back to Country so they can learn the right way.”
Martu person
The 2025 report confirms KJ is driving change and building Martu leadership. Martu see a real difference through our comprehensive, Martu-led programs:
Families Program: Supports early childhood learning and parenting.
Jijiku Yiwarra and Yiwarra Kuju: Help young people and adults stay out of lock-up.
Ngurra Karti Transport Program: Helps Martu return home to community and Country.
Women’s Leadership Program and Wama Wangka: Strengthen health and wellbeing.
75% of Martu said KJ is helping a lot to build stronger communities, up 38% since 2021
“KJ is our organisation. It listens to Martu and grows with us. It comes from Martu.”
Martu person
“[KJ] is doing well. They go around and look after Country – our grandfathers’ Country. If there was no KJ it would be a lot harder to look after Country. People worry about grandparents’ Country. KJ is doing really well to help us care for Country.”
A Continuous Story of Evidence and Change
