Frank is a proud descendant of the Whadjuk-Yued Nyoongar, and a proud father, husband, and son.  Frank grew up in state housing in a small community in the South-West. Although blessed with a loving family, like many small towns, there were high rates of unemployment, drug/alcohol abuse, mental illness, and suicide.  Losing three close friends before the age of 20, and having a son at 21, Franks decided to live his life with purpose and to have a positive impact on others.

Being offered an electrical apprenticeship, at age 25, was a turning point for Frank’s career.  With his energy, motivation, and leadership aptitude – Frank moved from an electrician to site supervisor, to project manager, then co-owner and Director of Wilco Electrical in 2015.  He then co-founded his second business, Kardan (Nyoongar name for a type of Red Gum tree) Australia in 2019.  Kardan delivers many social impact pathways and business diversity, however, Kardan’s core business is Construction.

Frank understood that with opportunity, comes responsibility and realised the opportunity to pay it forward – offering individuals who have potential, but lack opportunity, the very kind of empowering experience that changed his own life.  Since 2015, Frank and his team have created 29 Aboriginal positions in total:  14 electrical apprenticeships (incl. two female), 6 female admin traineeships, 2 carpenter apprenticeships, and 7 trade assistant positions.  All positions were full-time, bar the trade assistant positions.  Kardan has also awarded $3.8M in contracts to Aboriginal-owned sub-contractors.

The employment programs at Wilco and Kardan, amongst other industry achievements, drew the attention of many businesses incl. Resource Services Group (RSGx). With the backing of RSGx, Frank’s third business venture, Baldja (translating to ‘Standing United’ in Nyoongar), represents a JV between Wilco, Kardan, and RSGx – specialising in construction, testing, commissioning, and completions across mechanical, electrical, and piping scopes of works and also creating employment opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and engaging with local suppliers – Baldja guarantees 10% of all forecasted profits, arising from every project it is awarded, in support of Aboriginal upskilling/ training/ apprenticeship programs and Aboriginal NFP’s.

Having just won WA’s Telstra Best of Business Awards Indigenous Excellence category in 2022, Frank and his team are excited, more than ever about increasing their social impact reach in the next decade and beyond!

Dwayne grew up in Darwin, with family connections to the Tiwi people from Bathurst Island, the Jingili people from Daly Waters, and his own heritage as Paluwa coming from NW Tasmania.

His strong relationships with Indigenous groups and businesses across Australia, hailing from his roles in executive management across a diverse range of industry sectors.  He’s worked for companies across Australia including BHP Billiton, Thomas & Coffey and John Holland.

Dwayne brings his extensive skills in stakeholder relations, opportunity management, built-form infrastructure delivery and Indigenous economic program development to Kardan Construction.

Kardan recognises all businesses have an obligation to those communities in which they operate, to leave a positive legacy.

So in addition to Aboriginal social outcomes, and the employment pathways Kardan provides – we actively support, partner, and empower a great many community groups, aligned aboriginal contractors, and key social enterprises, through our everyday operations:

Kardan’s works are the basis to engage, empower and grow an ever-growing number of Aboriginal businesses; as evidenced every day through our strong relationships with painters, carpenters, electricians, cabinetmakers, and plumbing partners.