Our Story

DPM’s unique and innovative community process was designed over two decades by founding members Matthew Priestley (Kamileroi/Gomeroi – from Moree, NSW) and Toby Finlayson (Irish/Scottish/English descent, born on Wiradjuri Country - Forbes NSW) through the vehicle of genuine, reciprocal friendship. 

For many years, Toby and Maf worked together – travelling to regional and remote communities and creating work with Original Nations People across Australia.  This was a cross-cultural learning process – with Maf mentoring and educating Toby about community, cultural protocols, arts practice and connection to country.   

Toby contributed his training and experience in community and cultural development, creative arts practices, and multimedia. Over more than a decade the DPM community process was developed.

The Evolution

Two decades is a long time for a small NGO. Over the years, our work has grown and developed in so many ways, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to be on country, and learn, share, and create with Original Nations communities. 

It hasn’t been an easy road – and DPM is always in survival mode - but we remain resilient and committed to supporting Original Nations people in Australia, despite the challenges and twists and turns of the journey.

As our organisation has developed, there has been a long list of supporters, Board Members, mentors, staff members and community members that have shaped us, taught us, and contributed to our growing organisational maturity. Special mention to the Smugglers of Light Foundation, The Makhampom Foundation and The Priestley, Finlayson and Nicholas Families. 

We began as two passionate, committed, slightly crazy young artists, working on the coal face for a cultural revolution.  Now, after 20 years we have grown to a medium-sized organisation, with an amazing Board of Directors, three full-time staff, a long list of contractors, trainees and a reputation for inspiring and engaging community work. STILL committed to that cultural revolution.

This constantly developing and maturing creative process has created genuine, measurable social impacts, and long-term partnerships such as Primary Health Networks around Australia, various Philanthropic supporters and State and Federal Government.

We would like to thank the ancestors, Elders, young people, mentors, supporters, collaborators, and countrymen who have welcomed us, supported us, shared stories, country and wisdom, and have shaped our Desert Pea Media story into its current form.