Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a proud history of getting up, standing up, and showing up. As an organisation that brings together thousands of Australians from all walks of life, Orange Sky acknowledges our responsibility to celebrate and show up for First Peoples within our community.

Orange Sky benefits from the voices and commitments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples each and every day (including Veronica Yanawana (VY), one of our incredible team members in Bidyadanga pictured below). This NAIDOC Week, we reflect on our past, present and future commitments, and celebrate the important First Nations leaders who have been crucial to our journey. From friends and volunteers to our staff and supporters; Orange Sky is passionate about playing our part to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!.

Prioritising reconciliation in our operations and enriched within our culture and policies. 

In May 2022, Orange Sky launched our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This Innovate RAP is a mechanism for Orange Sky to #GetUp – prioritising reconciliation, not only in our operations but also enriched within our culture and policies. 

We recognise the tireless contributions of our RAP Working Group, and in particular, the cultural perspectives and knowledgeable voices of Racheal Higgins, Richard Cassady, Caleb Cassady, Leon Designs and Rhoda Tjitayi. 

Connect with Orange Sky’s Innovate RAP here.  

Improving equitable access to laundry services and employment in remote First Nations communities. 

Currently, 20% (eight services) of our Australian operations are in remote communities, aiming to bridge challenges with laundry access and costs. Our remote services include: QLD (Lockhart River, Palm Island, Aurukun), NT (Maningrida, Wadeye), and WA (Fitzroy Crossing, Bidyadanga, Yungngora). 

These remote services are made possible by some incredible local service partners such as Malal’a Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Thamarrurr Development Corporation, Marra Worra Worra and Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange Inc. Our partners support paid employment opportunities for local people working on the Orange Sky van. Currently, Orange Sky creates ≈15 employment opportunities for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples in remote communities.

This includes legends like Gary (pictured, left) and Linton (right) who provide their community with access to laundry services in Maningrida NT, VY in Bidyadanga WA, and Thelma and Irene in Lockhart River QLD. 

Explore the remote communities we operate in here. 

Creating safe and respectful spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander friends to connect on orange chairs. 

In the context of our work, we recognise the disproportionate rates of homelessness for First Nations peoples, particularly in remote communities. As we continue growing our social impact in an effort to support 40,000 friends by 2025, we acknowledge the importance of each orange chair that our friends sit on and each conversation we have. We are committed to creating safe, respectful and inclusive spaces to positively connect communities. 

Find out More

Orange Sky Australia • 2020 • 17 Dover Street, Albion Queensland 4010 • (07) 3067 5800 • ABN/Charity ID: 85890622990 • We are a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the Australian Tax Office

Orange Sky acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia. We pay our respect to Ancestors and their descendants who hold a continued cultural and spiritual connection to the land, seas and community and would like to recognise and uphold First Nations knowledge and contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to working together to create a positive future through our Reconciliation Action Plan.