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.

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.