When A.G. Coombs opened its regional Queensland office in Townsville earlier this year, it did so with the understanding that its presence would not only benefit its customers, but importantly, it would have a positive and long-lasting impact on the local population it serves.

Support for reconciliation outcomes is both crucial and rewarding. It is a vision that is deeply entrenched in the values culture of the A.G. Coombs Group – from our senior executives all the way across the country, through every facet of the business. In North Queensland, A.G. Coombs works closely with Thomas Holden from Bungal, a Townsville-based Indigenous majority owned company specialising in implementing and creating economic and regional development throughout Northern Australia. Thomas is partnering A.G. Coombs’ First Nations community engagement program. His advice provides support across many of the key actions in the region as well as the company’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan to ensure reconciliation outcomes are realised in building a sustainable and collaborative connection with our First Nations communities.

Respect for Country and community

The Townsville office is located on Wulgurukaba Country and for this reason, it is inextricably linked with the local  community – while acknowledging that the greater city of Townsville shares its heritage between four Traditional Owner mobs – the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba, the Bindal, the Gugu Badhun and the Nywaigi People.

Russ Sampson, Regional Leader-North Queensland leads the A.G. Coombs team in Townsville. A born-and-bred regional Queenslander, Russ was looking at ways to further engage with the local community in a meaningful way and strengthen the company’s relationship with Traditional Owners. When Thomas facilitated an introduction to Ashley Saltner from the Townsville Walkabouts Indigenous Rugby League Association, a new partnership was formed.

Having already forged a connection with the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts when its dance troop welcomed the A.G. Coombs team to Country with a smoking ceremony in May, it was a logical next step to take a more active role in supporting the group.

Continuing an A.G. Coombs tradition of supporting women in sport

Beginning with the Townsville All Blacks Rugby League Carnival – which was held on the weekend of 14 to 15 October – A.G. Coombs was the official sponsor of the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts women’s Indigenous Rugby League team. Formed in 1989, the team competes in Indigenous rugby league carnivals across Queensland.

Each year, for more than three decades, Townsville has hosted the QRL All Blacks Rugby League Carnival – a grassroots event that brings together mobs from all over the region (and further afield) to celebrate sport, culture and Country for a fun weekend that attracts upwards of 15,000 people.

This was the fourth year that the All Blacks Carnival has hosted the women’s division – with players aged from 16 all the way up to seniors, playing in a knock-out competition.

When the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts women run out onto the ground this October, their specially-designed jerseys proudly display A.G. Coombs’ on-going support for the team and the broader scope of community-based initiatives that the Walkabouts drive – from working with disadvantaged youth and knowledge sharing to performance and cultural diplomacy.