7 Jul 2026
NAIDOC Week: Investing in Country, Building our future
7 JULY 2026
This NAIDOC Week, as the National NAIDOC Committee celebrates 50 Years of Deadly, we are taking a moment to think about what reconciliation actually means to us at Cbus Property, and what it looks like in practice.
To do that, we want to share a story about relationships, Country, and how our projects (and the returns they generate for members) can help create real, meaningful impact.
Back in 2023, Kaelun Brown took part in the smoking ceremony at 435 Bourke Street’s sod turning, a big milestone for the project, and for him. Since then, he has been a constant presence on site as a First Nations tradesperson, delivering concrete and playing a key role in getting the project to where it is today.
435 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Topping Out Ceremony
So when 435 Bourke Street recently reached its highest point, it felt right that Kaelun was there again, this time delivering the Welcome to Country at the topping out celebration. From sod turning to topping out, he has helped mark two of the project’s biggest milestones.
435 Bourke Street, Melbourne, SOD Turning and Smoking Ceremony
Kaelun’s story is just one of many. At 435 Bourke Street alone, First Nations workers have contributed almost 35,000 hours on site, 2.7 per cent of total working hours to date. First Nations apprentices, trainees and cadets have delivered over 16,000 of those hours, and we have invested $13 million with First Nations businesses on the project so far.
As a CBUS Super member throughout his career, Kaelun’s involvement also says something bigger about how this all connects. The people helping build our cities are often the same people whose future is being built through the investments those projects generate.
If there is one thing Kaelun’s story shows us, it is that reconciliation does not happen in one ceremony or one event. It is built over time, through genuine relationships, shared opportunities, and showing up again and again.
Since introducing workforce targets, Cbus Property projects have delivered more than 160,000 hours (to date) to First Nations workers and apprentices, alongside more than $20 million in procurement spend with First Nations businesses.
Cbus Property have completed a Reflect RAP, and are committed to building on that. Stories like Kaelun’s show what that commitment looks like when it is put into practice, and where we still have room to make a genuine, lasting difference.
