Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
At Downer, our vision for reconciliation is one where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are treated equally in all relationships, their cultures and histories are celebrated and respected, and they have equitable career opportunities so that they may have secure economic prosperity. Our reconciliation plan outlines our commitments and initiatives to support and empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Our partnerships with organisations including The Stars Foundation, North Queensland Cowboys House and Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation have helped support the education of young First Nations people.
We have developed bespoke trainee programs in collaboration with local Traditional Owner groups to provide sustainable employment outcomes, and delivered cultural awareness training programs to help our people foster more meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, businesses and communities.
Downer commenced its partnership with the Stars Foundation in October 2021. Stars provides a holistic programme that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women to attend and remain engaged at school, complete Year 12 and move into fulltime work or further study. Stars’ program is based on strong, trusting relationships – which strongly aligns with Downer’s values. The Stars Room provides a culturally safe, warm environment – a place where the students feel nurtured and inspired.
Downer also commenced its partnership with Cowboys House in October 2021. Cowboys House provides supported accommodation for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from some of North Queensland’s most remote and educationally disadvantaged communities, enabling them to access quality secondary education opportunities in Townsville. The facility is managed by the North Queensland Cowboys NRL club’s Community Foundation. The partnership with Cowboys House has now expanded further, with Downer opening avenues for students from Cowboys House to enter the workforce with Downer once they complete school. More information.
Supporting Cowboys House students after they graduate
In 2021, Downer commenced a partnership with NRL Cowboys House.
Cowboys House provides supported accommodation for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from some of North Queensland’s most remote and educationally disadvantaged communities, enabling them to access quality secondary education opportunities in Townsville. The facility is managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation, the charity arm of the North Queensland Cowboys NRL club.
Downer’s involvement with Cowboys House was initially as the Boys’ Campus naming partner.
As the partnership has progressed, Downer has worked with Cowboys House to create further opportunities for Cowboys House students.
As a large employer across North Queensland, delivering services in a range of sectors, one way Downer can provide real outcomes for Cowboys House students is to identify work opportunities.
Since 2022, Downer has been helping young people from Cowboys House start out on their employment journeys.
Cowboys House 2022 graduate, Josh, has commenced a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) apprenticeship with Downer.
Josh is thriving in the new role… and even learning a few new life skills!
“It’s going really good,” Josh said.
“The team are good to work with and I am enjoying the work and learning a lot.
“When I first moved out of Cowboys House, it was a bit hard getting up early to go work and making my own meals. But I am getting the hang of it now.”
In addition to apprenticeships, Downer is also helping Cowboys House students dip their toe into working life by offering work experience to students who are interested in entering the sectors in which we operate.
Providing opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples from remote communities to complete training and trades apprenticeships in a supported environment, and then take these skills back to their own community in Far North Queensland, is an important way that Downer is promoting reconciliation and going beyond the sponsorship to support the growth on young First Nations peoples in our communities.
Downer has been a proud supporter of the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation’s (ALNF) Wall of Hands Appeal for more than a decade. The ALNF works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and schools around Australia with the aim that five out of five kids will learn to read - the vital first step to a satisfying and successful life. The ALNF is the first national charity dedicated to raising language, literacy and numeracy standards in Australia. Closing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander literacy gap is a serious, long-term issue and Downer is a proud supporter of this very worthy cause.
Downer’s workplace giving program has been developed to allow employees to donate money from their pre-tax pay to support our four strategically selected charities, with Downer matching our employees’ initial donations up to $250,000. One of our four workplace giving charity partners is Greening Australia, a national not-for-profit committed to restoring Australia’s diverse landscapes and protecting biodiversity in ways that benefit communities, economies, and nature.
Greening Australia recognises the leadership roles First Nations Peoples must have in restoration efforts. Their ‘Thriving on Country’ strategy is their approach to developing strong, respectful partnerships with First Nations Peoples. Greening Australia partners with First Nations Peoples to combine the strength of sacred traditional knowledge with modern science, co-design programs that support community aspirations, build a diversely skilled restoration workforce, support the development of healing-Country enterprises, and increase long-term employment pathways in the growing restoration economy.
Māori Peoples
Downer’s vision (matawhānui) is to create an environment where Māori thrive, benefiting our people, whānau (family), communities, business, and country. Our goals are to elevate the potential of our current and future workforce, foster strong relationships with Iwi and Māori organisations, enhance understanding of Māori tikanga and Te Reo across the organisation, and advocate for the development of Māori and the recognition of tangata whenua in our industries and communities.