With the eyes of the rugby league world on the annual All Stars showpiece in Townsville, the NRL is proud to help showcase Indigenous excellence in business.
"The All Stars game and the cultural events throughout the week are unrivalled in the platform they create for all Australians to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence," said Chair of ARLIC Katrina Fanning AO PSM.
"This year we are excited to extend the spotlight to include a range of successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and to showcase the breadth of industries in which they exist and the difference they are making in their communities."
When consulted NRL players, including Ryan James, suggested taking advantage of the popularity and reach of All Stars to give the nation an introduction to Indigenous excellence in business.
The Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council advised the NRL in identifying businesses which will be promoted during the match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium as well as on the NRL's website and social media accounts.
Many of the selected businesses are from the Far North Queensland region and will be attending All Stars.
Kamara Australia
Gudjala and Gugu Badhun
Townsville sisters, Kirsty and Naomi began the visionary Australian Made Swimwear Brand - KAMARA. After Naomi was diagnosed with melanoma, the siblings started a movement to spread awareness of sun damage while producing the long-awaited style that was missing from Sun Protection – and so KAMARA was born.
KAMARA is driven by a passion to change perspectives on sun safety, offering high-quality, ethically Australian-made swimwear as a silent yet powerful statement supporting Skin Health, Indigenous Creatives, and Sustainable Values. KAMARA nurtures their audience with reliable and elevated products that serve as wearable stories and expressions of artistry, uniting us all in a commitment to health, uniqueness, and positive impact.
Yindi Artz
Wiradjuri
Yindi Artz was established in 2007 by proud Wiradjuri Aboriginal woman and award-winning artist and designer, De Greer-Yindimincarlie. Through her business Yindi Artz, De offers a multitude of creative services over many industries, such as graphic design, painting, textile design, music performance, voice overs, film editing, music composition, wood products and wood turning, jewellery design and manufacture, and product design and development. De strives to create high-quality and memorable products and a positive experience for all those she interacts with, serving well the Yindi Artz philosophy of ‘Excellence makes you unforgettable’.
KYKOE
Saisarem (Erub), Butchulla and Barada Barna
KYKOE is an Indigenous owned and operated business, built on the artistic and creative expression of founder, Tishara Garrett, a contemporary Aboriginal and Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) artist and creative. What emerged as a personal sanctuary and coping mechanism during a challenging time in her life, KYKOE began as a hobby squeezed into the corner of a very small dining room and quickly transformed into a thriving business. Tishara predominately creates within the digital art and textile space; her designs draw on her cultural upbringing, ties to and love of Country, significant moments shared with loved ones and the knowledge passed on and entrusted to her.
Nathan Merritt claims the Preston Campbell Medal
BSKT Wholefoods
Bundjalung
BSKT Wholefoods products are designed to inspire through nutritional quality, taste and a global conscience. All products are handcrafted with love on the Gold Coast using traditional methods and Indigenous ingredients. Made from high-quality plants & free from refined sugar and anything artificial to nourish your body from within.
Kuppa Coffee Pty Ltd
Kalkadoon
Proud descendants of the Kalkadoon tribe located in Mt Isa, Queensland, Kuppa Coffee is an Indigenous coffee, equipment, and technical services supplier. Kuppa stems from a long-standing friendship, that has evolved into a collaborative family business. As Kuppa Coffee grows, they hope to make a positive impact and continue building a community.
Dreamtime Aroha
Barragmuckuu
Dreamtime Aroha is a family business that is passionate about making a difference for Indigenous people around the country. Their roots began when their young niece was affected in the way her skin colour made her feel at school, which made them notice a lack of visibility for their young mob in the mainstream world. In response they made a dark skinned curly haired doll and three years later they are still making dolls, harnessing connection and resources through social media from mob and allies to support others in their times of need.
A-Lec Electrics
Umpila
A-Lec Electrics are local leaders in the electrical industry throughout Townsville. They put their wealth of experience and knowledge to good use, completing work on time, on budget and to industry standards – no matter the size of the project!
Australian Indigenous Security Service Pty Ltd
Kalkadoon
Australian Indigenous Security Service Pty Ltd (AISS) is a provider of security services and training and has operated in North Queensland since 2001. AISS has worked in remote communities across North Queensland from Woorabinda in the south to Bamaga in the north and west to Mornington Island. Through their hard work and professional services AISS has grown from a small organisation in Bowen to having a state-wide presence.
Bindal Sharks United Training Employment Sport and Recreation Aboriginal Corporation
Bindal/Juru and Kaanju
After 37 years, Bindal Sharks continue to work for Indigenous people in the areas of training, support and mentoring. Using the greatest game of all and practising their motto – 'Healthy minds, healthy bodies', they create opportunities and choices for their people.
Blackspace Creative Arts and Cultural Hub
Palawa
Blackspace Creative Arts and Cultural Hub Pty Ltd is a growing collective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives sharing and showcasing their connections to culture, country and community. In addition to this, they are also an avenue for the broader community to engage in and learn about these connections in a safe and respectful environment.
Their business model reflects their commitment to building the capacity and visibility of Aboriginal artist and their cultural practices, stories, and history within the sector more broadly. They are Tasmania's only Aboriginal owned and operated Art Centre. They are reclaiming our practices, our art, and our culture.
Borger Crane Hire & Rigging Services
Dunghutti
Borger Cranes are looking to the future with all levels of construction projects in their sights. Borger's latest acquisition of a 750 ton Liebherr LG1750 together with our 750 ton Liebherr LTM1750-9.1 is taking their capacity of crane hire to a whole new dimension, providing customers with a new level of lifting capability for planning future projects.
Borger Cranes is a family owned and operated crane hire and rigging business, established in 1980. They have established depots in Sydney, on the Central Coast, in Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane, on the Sunshine Coast and Gympie. The business has grown from one crane to a fleet of 150+ cranes with more purchases and units in the pipeline.
Dreampath Recruitment
Kamilaroi / Gamilaraay
Dreampath is a national Supply Nation Certified Indigenous Labour Hire and Workforce Solutions provider. They utilise a co-creation approach with their clients to establish employment opportunities that support the career aspirations of First Nations People across a broad range of industries throughout Australia. Dreampath was established by engineers, project managers and a fourth generation coal miner which is where their expertise and knowledge of the range of industries stems. Each passionate and committed to making a difference for the communities they operate in, supplying successful working outcomes for First Nation individuals.
Gudjuda Tours
Bindal
The Gudjuda people have been part of this land for thousands of years. Cultural Tours run by the Gudjuda Group immerse their guests in a range of traditional activities and visit many traditional sites.
The Tours are conducted by Indigenous Guides selected from the local and Traditional owner network to provide an authentic and inspirational experience for tour guests.
Elders will share their stories and their knowledge as they explain the bush foods and cultural ways of the local Aboriginal tribal group.
Moogie Down Productions
Larrakia, Mulluk-Mulluk and Yanyuwa
Moogie Down Productions (MDP) is a creative agency in Darwin, NT, which specialises in storytelling through filmmaking, graphic design, art and animation.
MDP along with Ronde Media recently co-produced the documentary series, The First Inventors, which was simulcast on NITV and TEN.
Murra Services Pty Ltd
Kokatha
Murra Partners are a Kokatha mob owned and operated executive recruitment specialist business. Murra Partners specialise in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous recruitment opportunity.
Nanima Care
Wiradjuri
Nanima Care provides many transport options for both individual, corporations and other Aboriginal corporations. They are committed to improving our connection with culture and improving the well-being of Indigenous Australians.
Relive the 2010 match-winner with Soward and Campbell
National Indigenous Training Employment Solutions (NITES), Cultural Capability Training
Wiradjuri / Ngunnawal
NITES' core mission revolves around motivating and assisting individuals and organisations in their journey to enhance their capabilities and attain transformative goals. Their purpose is dedicated to serving the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
NITES achieve this by fostering capabilities through leadership, mentorship, and personal professional development. Additionally, they create opportunities to work within culturally safe environments, ensuring a supportive and empowering experience.
P16 Building Group
Wiradjuri and Biripi
Based in Western Sydney, P16 Building Group has been working with some of Sydney’s top builders, servicing all aspects of carpentry across NSW for over 7 years. They undertake new builds, renovations and extensions throughout Sydney.
Pearce Cameron Pty Ltd
GunaiKurnai, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti, Manero
Pearce Cameron Pty Ltd is an Indigenous business working in the landscape, environmental and street furniture sector. They are a company that has proven ability to provide meaningful employment, training and business opportunities to Indigenous people.
More than a game: Inglis still gets goose bumps
Royal Black Transfers and Tour - Willco Group Pty Ltd
Gooreng Gooreng and Gungalu
Royal Black is a small family-owned business founded in 2017. Based in Brisbane Royal Black provides tourism and transport solutions to the Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and the greater Queensland areas. Royal Black is a Willco Group Pty Ltd business that is 100% Aboriginal owned.
Waanyi Shamrock United Pty Ltd
Waanyi
Waanyi Shamrock United (WSU) are a small to medium size Civil Construction Company that has been delivering Civil Infrastructure Projects
within Australian Defence Sites in Australia over the last seven years. As an Indigenous controlled entity WSU Civil naturally desires to deliver exceptional economic and social benefits to Indigenous groups, particularly those on whose lands they operate.
WSU Civil endeavours through appropriate engagement with Traditional Owner groups to identify community aspirations and how these can be supported through our contract delivery for projects on their Lands.
Yalgan Support Services
Bundjalung, Iwaija, Gubbi Gubbi, Inningai
Yalgan Support Services Pty Ltd are a First Nations owned and operated NDIS service provider based in Meanjin (Brisbane). Their mission is to deliver individualised culturally safe supports for NDIS participants, Indigenous or non-Indigenous, with the purpose of achieving short and long-term goals by working in partnership with clients and their families and community.