Boodjara Energy is ‘powering our country by empowering our Country’

Founding director of Boodjara Energy in Western Australia, Koen Matera explains why he and business partner Jak Tidman created their energy business.

‘Boodjara Energy began whilst Jak and I were engaged in an onshore oil and gas facility,’ Koen said.

‘We recognised that there was a shortfall within the power generation sector for high quality service and delivery, and noticed minimal Indigenous engagement within the renewable technology space.’

‘Putting the two together, we had the simple thought of how we could grow Boodjara Energy to engage the local community by introducing Indigenous Australians to the fast growing and technical-based renewable power generation sector. In short, how do we power our country by empowering our Country?’

Boodjara Energy is an electrical contracting firm that works with large to medium sized companies, providing electrical supply and connection needs.

It employs a total of 30 electricians and office staff, of which 20-25% are Indigenous Australians.

Like so many new companies, theirs was not a smooth start.

‘As an Indigenous business, we initially faced negativity suggesting we could not perform the same quality of work compared to a non-Indigenous entity,’ Koen said.

They were able to overcome this perception through a hands-on management style, focusing on meeting Key Performance Indicator targets and successful scope completion.

Their determination, combined with strong company values continue to drive Boodjara Energy’s success today. Those values, or pillars, are Safety, Superior Quality, Respect & Honesty and Integrity.

‘These pillars have provided Boodjara Energy with the building blocks to establish and develop a distinctive business which holds itself to the highest standards,’ Koen said.

Their success, like all successful enterprises, has come because of a willingness to recognise when they need help and where they need to adapt to an ever-changing environment.

‘Wirra Hub has been an integral component throughout our business journey. Through their professional and approachable business support personnel, the service that the Wirra Hub provides has enabled us to thrive,’ Koen said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought both challenges and opportunities to the organisation. ‘We have had to adapt to the current COVID-19 issues such as skilled labour shortages and reliance on local labour, which is then impacted by limited interstate travel.’

‘We currently have a 100% local Western Australian based workforce, which has opened an opportunity to engage with local Western Australian schools, most recently participating in work experience programs allowing young Indigenous students in Year 11 and 12 to try their hand at trades, engineering, and other hands-on learning.’

‘Participating students are given the opportunity to work with leading edge renewable technology and experience a day in the life in their chosen field.’

‘Indigenous businesses like ours are integral in providing unique career pathways for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people which is not otherwise possible.’

The many factors driving the current success of Boodjara Energy will also affect it in the long term.

‘I would like to see our business develop into an adaptable industry-leading competitor, while still maintaining our superb standard,’ Koen said.

‘I look forward to seeing Aboriginal businesses such as ours at the forefront of Indigenous employment owning responsibility toward future generations of career pathways.’