NAIDOC Week

What does NAIDOC mean to us ?

NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee.

This week is more than just a celebration, it’s a time to reflect on the strength of our culture, honour our Elders and celebrate who we are as a culture.

As a proud First-Nations owned business, this week is a very important part of our daily lives, it’s reflected in the way we work, connect and communicate.

Kaelun Brown - Palanu Managing Director

As a proud Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri and Wurundjeri man, Kaelun has a very strong connection to the Victorian First Nations Community. 

Kaelun is dedicated to empowering First Nations communities through employment, training and cultural preservation. With a legacy shaped by his family’s long-standing involvement in First Nations affairs and the guidance of his elders, Kaelun remains a steadfast advocate for positive change and cultural preservation in Victoria and beyond.

"When you support First Nations businesses like ours, you’re investing in more than just services — you’re empowering real, lasting change.

This isn’t about ticking boxes or quoting stats. It’s about real outcomes. It’s about reconnecting with culture, walking in the footsteps of our ancestors, and ensuring our kids and young people grow up grounded in identity, pride, and purpose.

Cultural practice is not a side project for us — it’s in our DNA. It’s who we are, and it’s what our future needs." - Kaelun Brown

Running a First-Nations Business

As a proud First-Nations business, we’ve hit the ground running in the last six months...and this is just the beginning.

In the past half a year, we’ve achieved:

• Supply Nation Certification

• Awarded 5+ major projects

• Onboarded a 100% first-nations team

Ocearna Nabelski - NDD Operator

This NAIDOC Week, we’re proud to celebrate Ocearna, one of the first female First Nations Non-Destructive Digging (NDD) Operators in Australia.

Since joining us earlier this year, Ocearna has quickly become an invaluable part of our team, bringing not only skill and dedication to every job, but also representing strength, culture, and spirit in an industry where women, especially First Nations women, are still underrepresented.

We’re honoured to work alongside Ocearna as she leads the way for the next generation of women in civil construction.

"NAIDOC to me means embracing who I am and where I came from, also celebrating our people culture, strengths and achievements of our people." - Ocearna Nabelski

What you can do

As NAIDOC Week comes to an end, it’s important to keep up the great work we’ve all put in. 

Our culture is living. Our communities are strong. And our stories deserve to be heard every day.

• Keep showing up; Stay present and curious

• Support First Nations businesses

• Speak up when necessary

• Celebrate our wins