LEARN. CONNECT. COMMIT.
Introducing the Discovering Indigenous Culture Conference, by OneGround.
Hosted in Townsville, the two-day event will unite Traditional Owners, First Nations leaders, employers, employment service providers, government, educators, health organisations and jobseekers.
SHARED KNOWLEDGE REMOVES BARRIERS.
mAKE AN IMPACT TOGETHER.
North Queensland is growing, and so is the opportunity to connect more First Nations people with sustainable, meaningful work. Yet barriers remain between employers seeking capable workers and First Nations jobseekers seeking real opportunities. The challenge isn't simply creating more jobs. It's creating the understanding, confidence and systems that make employment work, for employers and First Nations people alike.
The barriers are interconnected: no single organisation can solve them alone.
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Employers face recruitment practices that overlook potential: uncertainty about cultural protocols; bias; limited relationships with the community; insufficient onboarding and retention support. Through the Discovering Indigenous Cultures program, employers will leave with workforce solutions and practical tools to recruit and retain First Nations talent.
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At the event, ESPs can expect to develop strong employer relationships, placement opportunities and coordinated support.
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Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare attributes approximately 35% of the measured Indigenous health gap to social determinants such as employment, income, education and housing, and a further share to health risk factors.
For employers, this means recruitment cannot be considered in isolation from wellbeing and retention. For health services, employment pathways are part of a broader social and economic picture.
Our model connects these systems so support does not end at a referral, an interview or a conference.
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Townsville is a major economic centre for Northern Australia, with strengths across defence, resources, energy, construction, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, education and government services.
As regional investment and industry development create demand for workforce capability, Discovering Indigenous Culture offers a practical response: helping employers unlock a broader, more inclusive and culturally capable workforce.
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First Nations Jobseekers face disrupted pathways to training and employment; health and wellbeing needs; transport; cost and service areas; experiences of racism; systems that are difficult to navigate.
Discovering Indigenous Culture aims to improve long-term social, health and economic outcomes for First Nations people. Furthermore, the event seeks to establish an annual benchmark for regional progress, accountability and collaboration with employers.
A CATALYST FOR REGIONAL CHANGE.
Through cultural learning, lived experience, practical workforce solutions and meaningful connections, we'll challenge perceptions, build understanding and inspire action.
Our ambition is a lasting regional movement that celebrates First Nations culture, strengthens businesses and turns understanding into employment.
OUR MISSION
A future where First Nations culture and knowledge are valued, opportunities are equitable, and people, businesses and communities prosper together.
OUR PURPOSE
To unite First Nations leaders, businesses and communities through cultural learning, shared experiences and practical collaboration, turning understanding into measurable outcomes in health, employment and economic participation.
2 days of discovery, connection, and action.
Day 1: Discover the culture, listen and connect.
A culturally led, immersive experience designed to build understanding, challenge assumptions and create stronger connections between employers and First Nations communities. Topics include:
Welcome to Country and local cultural knowledge, guided by Traditional Owners.
Willie Tonga’s Story: a powerful lived-experience keynote.
Ray Thompson's Story: First Nations leadership, lived experience and regional perspectives.
Indigenous knowledge, values and perspectives: what businesses can learn.
Understanding the barriers First Nations jobseekers encounter.
Challenging stereotypes and building cultural intelligence.
Employer and community conversations, cultural experiences and networking.
Facilitated yarning, cultural experiences and relationships that continue beyond the room
Day 2: Build capability, create opportunity and commit.
Move from learning to practical workplace, health and employment outcomes. and connecting jobseekers to real employment and training pathways. Topics include:
Culturally intelligent recruitment, onboarding and leadership.
First Nations health, wellbeing and the relationship to employment.
Recruitment barriers: what employers can change today.
Building culturally safe workplaces and supporting retention.
Industry case studies: what successful employers are doing differently.
Support for Employers.
Industry specific pathways and digital training solutions.
Employer-jobseeker connection sessions and industry showcases.
Regional employment commitments and the six-month action plan.
OUR APPROACH
At One Ground, our day job is to make First Nations jobseekers, job-ready and fit for commencement. We also train organisations how to work with First Nations employees.
With this anchoring in supporting the funnel of job readiness, our approach is based off evidence and a proven approach to connect jobseeker with employer - and support retention.
Health, culture and work are connected. Employment supports income and security. Health supports participation. Culture supports belonging and wellbeing. Culture isn't a decorative theme here: it shapes how we design safe, effective services and workplaces.
Learn from Traditional Owners, cultural leaders and lived experiences to build awareness, respect and understanding.
01 UnderstandBring employers, jobseekers, employment providers and community organisations together through meaningful conversations and facilitated introductions.
02 ConnectProvide practical tools, digital learning, culturally responsive recruitment strategies and workplace resources.
03 EquipSecure employer commitments, identify vacancies, facilitate employment pathways and connect jobseekers with support.
04 ActivateTrack recruitment, training, retention and employer engagement over six months, reporting progress at the next annual event.
05 MeasureSHARED GOALS
Discovering Indigenous Culture builds a practical, culturally informed pathway from awareness to engagement, recruitment and retention.
Remove the practical and perceived barriers to recruitment and retention
Strengthen partnerships across industry, government, community and service providers
Build cultural intelligence and confidence among regional employers
Set an annual benchmark for regional progress and accountability.
Create direct employment, training and career pathways
Improve long-term health, social and economic outcomes for First Nations people
World Class ThinkingLearn from Canada and Aotearoa New Zealand, without substituting their cultural frameworks for local authority.
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Cultural safety and anti-racism education moves beyond awareness to reflection, institutional responsibility and changed professional behaviour.
Our application: employer learning that ends in action.
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Indigenous relations are strengthened through leadership commitments, business relationships, employment and measurable accountability.
Our application: annual employer commitments.
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Māori wellbeing thinking recognises the interdependence of physical, mental, spiritual and family dimensions.
Our application: connect health, culture and work without silos.
PARTNER WITH US
We invite organisations to help establish Discovering Indigenous Culture as North Queensland's leading annual platform for First Nations cultural intelligence, workforce participation and regional collaboration.
Partnership is an opportunity to contribute directly to regional economic development while strengthening your organisation's Indigenous Engagement Plan, industry relationships, reputation and workforce capability.
Discovering Indigenous Culture is a chance for Townsville to demonstrate what is possible when culture, industry and community work together towards a common goal.
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Invest in a platform that builds regional capability, visitor value and measurable employment outcomes.
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Connect health, training and employment support around real people and shared outcomes.
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Discover what works, access talent and leave with practical actions to recruit and retain.
The conference is the starting point, not the end point.
FAQ’s
Be a part of the first Discovering Indigenous Culture Conference.
Still have questions? Connect with us to learn more about our mission and work, and how we can support your community.
Ray Thompson | Townsville
ray@oneground.com.au
0401 468 014
One Ground | HQ
sonia@oneground.com.au
0402 304 603
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A two-day conference in Townsville bringing together culture, commerce and community to advance First Nations employment, wellbeing and economic participation across North Queensland. It's the first of what will become an annual event.
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Townsville, February 2027. Exact dates and venue are coming soon: register your interest to hear first, or contact OneGround HQ on 0402 304 603 with any other related inquiries.
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One Ground will work with local Traditional Owners and First Nations leaders to co-design the program, define cultural protocols, shape learning priorities and ensure that community perspectives guide the event.
Cultural expertise and lived experience will be appropriately remunerated. Stories, imagery and cultural knowledge will be shared with informed consent and appropriate permissions.
The aim is shared ownership of the process — not an event about First Nations people designed without them.
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Employers, HR and business leaders, employment service providers, health and community organisations, educators and training providers, government, and First Nations jobseekers. If you employ, support or work alongside First Nations people in North Queensland, this event is for you.
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No. Come as you are, with curiosity. The program is designed for people of all backgrounds and all levels of knowledge.
