INTHEBLACK February 2022 - Magazine - Page 74
MEMBER PROFILE
// G I V I N G B A C K
STORY KATIE LANGMORE
HERITAGE
LINK
IN VOLUNTEERING FOR AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST
ABORIGINAL SUPPORT GROUP, PAUL “PABLO”
COONAN CPA ENJOYS BEING PART OF
RECONCILIATION THROUGH EDUCATION
AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
P
aul “Pablo” Coonan CPA had an unusual journey
into accounting. His father – a career and
wellbeing school counsellor – suggested that if
he left school in Year 9 for an apprenticeship, he could
eventually attend university with a trade under his belt.
Coonan did just that. He went back to school in
Year 12, aged 19, graduated in the top 5 per cent
of New South Wales, and studied accounting as a
qualified plumber. Later, as he was building up his
accounting practice, he worked in both professions.
“I put an ad in the local paper for plumbing work
and accounting work,” he recalls. “The plumbing took
off. It took longer to build up my accounting clients.”
Coonan now runs his private practice, Green Thumb
Accounting, from his home in the Northern Beaches
region of Sydney. It is Garigal Country, which means
a lot to him.
“My friend, Aboriginal author and researcher Julie
Janson, helped us dig into my family history, and we
found out that my great-grandfather was Aboriginal.
We’d thought he might be, but like so many people
of the time it was hidden – people had to hide that
history, or the government might take their baby, and
I think within the white community there was also a
sense of shame.”
When Coonan found out about his Indigenous
heritage, he was excited, but had no idea what to do
with the information – how to connect with the local
community. He did some online research and found
a nearby Aboriginal support group, Manly Warringah
Pittwater.
“As soon as they heard I was a CPA, they made me
treasurer,” he laughs.
Coonan now attends monthly meetings in his role
as treasurer, undertakes administration duties and
supports the many fundraising activities and events
that the organisation holds, including hosting guest
74 ITB February 2022
Above: Paul Coonan CPA
with his wife Wanti and
son Frederico.
Top right: Coonan with
his mother, Ann Coonan.
Aboriginal support group
Manly Warringah
Pittwater is a local
not-for-profit organisation
in Mona Vale, Sydney. The
organisation, which has
been active since 1979,
focuses on supporting
Aboriginal people and
connecting them with
local community through
initiatives, educational
events and fundraising
activities.
asgmwp.net
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TO ACCESS
CPA Australia’s
resources on
voluntary or pro
bono accounting
services
speakers and holding educational events for the
greater community.
He says supporting the organisation is helping
him to feel more connected to the local mob and
his ancestry.
“I don’t know much about Aboriginal culture, so
I sit back – I don’t present or anything. I feel sad I’ve
missed out on that throughout my life, but I’m learning
so much, and having a connection to all that history
feels amazing.”
Coonan says volunteering for the organisation –
the oldest Aboriginal support group in Australia –
also feels very positive.
“To see all the misjustice going on and then feel
a part of reconciliation through education and
connecting white and Indigenous communities feels
really good.”
When not providing accounting services to local
traders and supporting Manly Warringah Pittwater,
Coonan works as an Aikido teacher in his own dojo,
teaching local kids the martial art he has studied most
of his life.
He is also a pro bono director of the not-for-profit
Aikido Kokikai Australia, a national martial arts
organisation helping Kokikai Aikido dojos around
Australia.
“Training is a release after sitting down at a desk
all day,” he says. “But teaching the kids is the most
rewarding part of it. Working with kids is awesome –
you can really make a difference. They cheer me up
after a hard day in the office.”
During the lockdowns, most of Coonan’s pro bono
activities were put on hold, but when he can, he plans
to attend Corroboree – an invitation that means the
world to him.
“That’s where you meet everyone and are accepted
into the mob. That’ll be a big personal step for me.”