Renowned Australian-owned cleaning, hygiene and waste management services company Quayclean is partnering with Multhana to enable employment opportunities for First Nations peoples across its University of Queensland campus sites.
Founded in 2017 by current managing director Joseph Wallace, Multhana is a Supply Nation-certified, Indigenous-owned company committed to overseeing training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across south-east Queensland. Malthana translates to “coming together to help each other” in Kalkadoon language.
Quayclean chief executive Mark Piwkowski says the collaboration was inspired by the company’s desire to further celebrate its diversity and create equality of opportunity and participation for First Nations peoples.
“We are proud of our diverse working teams and leadership, and we are focused on providing more working and training opportunities for First Nations people,” he says.
Beneficial cross-cultural exchange
Piwkowski says the collaboration has already been fruitful, allowing Quayclean employees to learn about the heritage and cultural responsibilities of fellow Multhana team members.
“We recently held a Yarning Circle where Multhana team members shared stories of their heritage, cultural responsibilities and customs,” he says. “It allowed our team the opportunity to ask questions, share stories and listen to each other.”
Wallace expressed similar optimism about the initial success of the collaboration. The partnership has already stationed five Indigenous workers alongside Quayclean staff at various University of Queensland sites.
Multhana managing director Joseph Wallace
“We are pleased to be partnering with Quayclean and we look forward to developing the relationship for the benefit of First Nation people,” he says.
Wallace says Multhana has cultivated a reputation for forming valuable and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities, Traditional Owners and governments.
Photography supplied.
Featured Image: The inter-team Yarning Circle.
