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TONI JANKE is a Wuthathi, Meriam and Yadighana woman whose family originally comes from Cape York and Murray Island in the Torres Strait, North Queensland, Australia.
Toni is a consultant, coach and mentor specialising in First Nations projects, policy and strategy, cultural capability, leadership, mentoring, advocacy and empowerment.
She has served on many Boards and Committees during a professional career spanning more than three decades working in government and the community and corporate sectors.
Toni holds as Bachelor of Arts/Law and post-graduate qualifications in Theology and Ministry, as well as formal qualifications in coaching, neuro-linguistic programming and conscious hypnosis.
Toni is also a renowned singer/songwriter who writes, records and performs her original music. She has released several albums and received awards for her music, including an Australian Women in Music Award (October 2024) for her contribution to advancing a culturally diverse and inclusive music industry.
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LATEST NEWS
Introducing “INHERITANCE” written and directed by Toni Janke.
"A bold and deeply moving theatrical experience, Inheritance is a poetic and musical journey into identity, resilience, and the sacred bonds that connect us across time. Created and performed by acclaimed First Nations artist Toni Janke, this live music show weaves original songs, storytelling, and lived experience into a tapestry of profound cultural memory and spiritual reclamation. At its heart lies a question that resonates with all of us: What do we truly inherit—and what will we choose to pass on?"
"Framed around the metaphor of a "precious jewel" gifted through generations, Inheritance explores the intangible treasures of ancestry—our stories, values, and worldviews—and how they shape our understanding of self, belonging, and purpose. Drawing from her cultural heritage and upbringing, Toni invites audiences into an intimate conversation that transcends the stage, illuminating universal truths about love, loss, and the power of reconnection. This is not just a performance; it is a soul-to-soul exchange—one that transforms, heals, and inspires."
"Toni Janke is a contemporary female singer/songwriter who lives in Magandjin (Brisbane), Australia. She is a celebrated First Nations artist and proud descendant of the Wuthathi, Yadhaigana, and Meriam peoples of Cape York and Murray Island. She has had a remarkable career spanning more than 35 years working in music, arts, and the First Nations space.
Growing up in Cairns and Canberra, Toni began performing and writing music at a young age, releasing her original songs on her independent label, Toni Janke Productions. Her discography includes Hearts Speak Out – EP (1993), The Brink (2000), Jewel of the North (2004), Eternal (2021), and a single release which she co-wrote, performed, and recorded with Maeve Louise Heaney, On This Sacred Ground (2022).
Toni has won national awards and performed at major festivals and events. She is the Chairperson of QMusic’s BigSound Goolwal Goolwal program, Brisbane Powerhouse’s First Nations Advisory Committee, member of the National Indigenous Media Awards (NIMAs) Leadership Group and a member of the Indigenous Advisory Council of Lion Nathan.
Beyond music, Toni has worked across various sectors including government, community organisations in media, education, and the arts. She runs a Brisbane-based consultancy as a coach, mentor, and leader. In 2024, she received an Australian Women in Music Award (AWMA) for promoting inclusion and cultural diversity for First Nations women in the music industry. Toni continues to inspire with her creative projects, including an upcoming play about her life and music called ‘Inheritance’ which will premiere in Brisbane theatres in 2026."
Tickets will be available to purchase soon.
Follow Toni Janke on all social media for important information updates.
