John & Ros Moriarty
John Moriarty and Ros Moriarty co-founded Jumbana Group in 1983, an Australian Indigenous design and strategy company. After establishing in Adelaide, they moved the studio to Sydney in 1997, and have built significant business relationships domestically and internationally inclusive of: Qantas; Nespresso; Bank of America; Football Federation Australia; U2; Sydney Opera House; Accor Hotels; Stockland Corporation; and Village Roadshow.
The Group, which celebrated 30 years in 2013, comprises a contemporary design studio – Balarinji, and the Indigenous communications and facilitation practice, Balarinji Consulting. Its range of design and related services include graphic design, interpretive and wayfinding design, artist engagement, event collateral and merchandise, public art, web, visual effects and animation. Industry relations, community engagement and government relations are other key areas.
John Moriarty AM is a full member of the Yanyuwa people of his birthplace, Borroloola, Northern Territory. He is honorary chairman and co-founder of the Jumbana Group, and co-founder of the company’s not-for-profit Nangala Project. John attained a Bachelor of Arts from Flinders University and is a Churchill Fellow. He has previously served on many boards – namely - the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the National Indigenous Council, the National Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, the Australian International Cultural Committee, the Northern Territory Tourist Commission and South Australian Museum. John is also a former chairman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council and the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation of Australia, and a former deputy chair of Indigenous Business Australia.
Ros Moriarty heads the Jumbana Group, is creative director of Balarinji Studio and co-founder of Nangala Project. After attaining a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University, Ros worked as a journalist with Radio Australia and held senior positions with the Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Australian Volunteers Abroad. Ros has also served on numerous boards including: the Council of the National Gallery of Australia, Australian Major Events, the Council of the Australian Academy of Design, and the Board of the Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin. She was inducted into the Australian Business Women’s Hall of Fame in 1999 and was a finalist in the 2012 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards.
John and Ros who are also award-winning authors, have long advocated for Indigenous rights and Indigenous arts. The Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame recognises the achievements of John Moriarty and Ros Moriarty.
