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We are collaborating with the Next Generation of Young Indigenous Designers at Indigenous Design Labs to create fresh threads for a one-of-a-kind uniform collection.
The PACT Partnership with lndigenous DesignLABS is set to empower Indigenous youth, giving young creatives a chance to flex their artistic influences, explore creative abilities, spark change, and smash through barriers to foster creative entrepreneurship. With this collab, teens and young adults get a shot at creative gigs and mentorship that truly matters. As a result, we hope to open up a wider range of opportunities for the next generation in the design space, transforming their communities with creative expression and creating a platform to amplify their voices and careers.
Design is all around us! IDL aims to inspire young First Nations creatives into the digital and creative design industries, to ensure that they become a part of a growing industry and knowledge holders of tomorrow who can share in the wealth of the Gig economy with others, wherever they live throughout Far North Queensland.
Leigh Harris is a Cairns based Aboriginal business owner with over 25 years in business and serial entrepreneur with traditional connections to the Kanolu people of Central Queensland and Gungarri people of South East Queensland who is also proud of his Italian and Welsh heritage. Leigh has been active in the design, digital creatives and ITC space for over 20 years and owns and operates ingeous studios a multidisciplinary design studio.
Sheree is a Torres Strait Islander woman, born in Cairns, Far North Queensland with family and ancestral links to Erub Island in the Torres Strait. Sheree has worked for a number of regional and international not-for-profit organisations delivering programs, to support social impact and outcomes. Sheree possesses postgraduate qualifications in Communications, from Griffith University.
Tarquin is an Aboriginal creative who joined the project in 2021. In addition to illustration and design, Tarquin has worked on Country as a Yirrgandji ranger and in cultural engagement for many years. His design work is a combination of traditional Aboriginal art and modern and western art. Tarquin draws his inspiration for his designs from Bulmba (Country), Kulbul (Sea country) and Bulurru (Lore, Creator, Culture).
Casey’s a whiz at knitwear, and her eye for detail, creative spark, and tech-savvy garment design know-how make her an absolute superstar. With a Bachelor’s degree in Science of Fashion Technology from RMIT University in 2014, she’s been perfecting her clothing design and product development craft ever since. Right now, she’s all about pushing the envelope and crafting designs that are as functional as they are aesthetic.
Phase one of the collaboration will see IDL creatives focusing on creating abstract and contemporary designs for a print artwork applicable to uniforms, bringing a fresh aesthetic to ADA’s warehousing and manufacturing operational crew.
An 8-week training program built into a real-world uniform development project. IDL youth will collaborate with ADA designers to re-imagine custom-made workwear for ADA’s operational crew. The creatives will learn product development from concept to prototype and production, applying the newly designed print artwork.
Seeing their work come to life! Phase 3 will feature a launch event showcasing our young designers’ new collection.
My Traditional Country Maluyligal, Western Yalanji, Butchulla and Wuthathi.
My Perfect Day Would be spent sleeping in, gaming and eating pepperoni pizza.
When I Grow Up I’d like to do something along the lines of computer coding which is my passion.
Why This Project Excites Me I’m excited to be a part of this project because it teaches me skills and I learn new things about the digital realm which will be useful in the future.
My Traditional Country Pitjantjatjara, Adnymathnha and Ngati Whatua.
My Perfect Day Me waking up to a cool orange juice in the fridge. A nice warm shower and my room really nice and clean. It’s where I get to hang out with my best friends and have a laugh. And go back home to everyone in my family having a good time.
When I Grow Up A successful woman who loves to do sports and take care of one and another. I wanna be a business woman but this question hasn’t really came up on my mind.
Why This Project Excites Me Doing different art for different people and showing how much we have learnt.
My Traditional Country Waluwarra.
My Perfect Day My day was okay except drama at school.
When I Grow Up Zoologist and an artist/designer.
Why This Project Excites Me The most exciting part about the project is when the design is done and on the clothes.
My Traditional Country Kuku Yalanji and Torres Strait Islander.
My Perfect Day A day at the beach having a BBQ with family or friends.
When I Grow Up I would love to do something in sports but also think that engineering would be an interesting career.
Why This Project Excites Me We don’t get opportunities like this up here in Cairns so it really great that ADA have come to us to create something so special for them.
My Traditional Country Kuku Yalanji, DjunDjungan and Tongan.
My Perfect Day I like to go swimming down at the river and spending time with my family.
When I Grow Up I am not really sure but I think that being a carpenter would be a good job.
Why This Project Excites Me I love going to IDL and working on projects and I can’t wait to see what our creations look like on the uniforms and other things that ADA make.
My Traditional Country Gimuy and Iama (Yam Island).
My Perfect Day I love spending time with my family fishing but really love lazydays.
When I Grow Up I would really like to be a teacher.
Why This Project Excites Me I like to draw and design stuff for other companies.
My Traditional Country I am from the Torres Straits Darnley Island (Erub Island).
My Perfect Day Spending time with my friends creating short films but I love just relaxing at home too.
When I Grow Up I really want to get into anything to do with screen production, directing, cinematography or producing. Hopefully I will move to Adelaide to do a course in Screen soon if I can afford it.
Why This Project Excites Me What really excites me about this project is that we are creating designs that will be worn by other people. I love seeing what I create on other people.
My Traditional Country My Indigenous heritage stems from Erub.
My Perfect Day My perfect day would get me feeling both relaxed and productive. So I imagine it would start with a lovely breakfast and some hugs with my puppy, then I would get all jobs and housework out of the way. After I would reward myself with some quality time with my family and friends, working on my artistic and writing projects, playing video games then wrapping up the day with some mango ice cream and a good book.
When I Grow Up I love the concept of being paid to express myself creatively, so initially I wanted to become an actor. But I found that my passion really came back to art and design.
Why This Project Excites Me Probably the grand scale of it. We get to work with a large and amazing company and collaborate on such a cool project.
My Traditional Country Erubam le of the Meuram tribe in the Torres Strait.
My Perfect Day I love spending time with my friends going fishing and ride my bike around Cairns.
When I Grow Up I want to be a furniture maker.
Why This Project Excites Me Getting to work and do design for Australian Defence Apparel.
My Perfect Day My perfect day would be me going to sleep early and waking up early to be able to help my mum around the house and my siblings.
When I Grow Up My dream job is to be a influencer for all around the world.
Why This Project Excites Me The thing that excites it is being able to draw patterns.
ESG INITIATIVE
Building a stronger future requires genuine collaboration with Indigenous Design Labs. This means respecting their knowledge, traditions, and connection to Country.
