The 2018 Commonwealth Games will source 100 percent recycled paper from First Nations-owned company Nallawilli Office Wares. The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)'s managed print solutions supplier CSG will provide Nallawilli paper via GOLDOC sponsor Winc.
Nallawilli, which sources its printing paper from Australian Paper's mill in Maryvale, Victoria, has worked with Winc (formerly Staples) through Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) since the Indigenous-owned supplier was founded in 2010. "We went to them with an idea of a range of First Nation branded stationery products, and they jumped on board with us straight away," said Roderick McLeod, founder and chairman of Nallawilli.
"Winc has a strong history of supporting First Nation businesses and communities through their RAPs. Winc sees the importance of RAPs as they allow companies to work together with First Nation people for the benefit of the whole community," said McLeod.
Nallawilli is the only First Nations-owned company in Australia that supplies 100 percent Australian-made recycled copy paper, and McLeod says he's proud of that distinction. "We've made a commitment to source as many of our products in Australia that we can to support our local communities and businesses," he said.
The company's name comes from the Darug people, originally from the Western Sydney area, and translates as 'to sit down and listen to one another'. McLeod's youngest sister, Pauline, went to the Darug elders for permission to use the word as she travelled and told traditional learning stories as her contribution towards reconciliation, including on ABC children's show Play School. "After her passing I went back to the Elders for permission to use it myself, which I was granted, and I’ve kept her legacy alive that way. I am the proud custodian of the Nallawilli name," said McLeod.
Darren Fullerton, CEO of Winc Australia and New Zealand, could not comment on specific commercial agreements with GOLDOC, but said he and his company were proud to work with Nallawilli, having been part of the RAP community since 2010. "Having strong supplier partnerships with businesses like Nallawilli enriches our overall offering to our customers, and we are committed to ensuring that these relationships are an integral part of our strategic sourcing and procurement process," he said.