We recently caught up with Chamber members Mick and Mitch Matera from Gnalla Enviro to talk about their ongoing efforts to create meaningful employment pathways for First Nations people — particularly youth and those from challenging backgrounds who are often long-term unemployed.
Part of our remit at the Chamber is to connect employers with those seeking work, and we were eager to learn from businesses like Gnalla Enviro that are successfully doing just that. What makes a successful candidate? And more importantly, what helps ensure they stay in the job?
Meeting the team
We had planned to speak with Cam, a young man who’s been working with Gnalla Enviro for a couple of years and, by all accounts, has become something of a model employee. Naturally, we jumped at the chance to meet him.
We arrived at 3.30pm on a Friday afternoon — not exactly prime interview time — as the team were wrapping up for the week. It was the only time available, given Cam and his crew spend their days maintaining the stretch of highway between Perth and Bunbury, emptying bins and keeping the roadside clean. They work from 7am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Despite the timing, Mick suggested the whole team may like to join the chat, and to our surprise, they all agreed.
First impressions
Group interviews can be tricky — after all, how honest can you really be with the boss standing right there? So, we started with an easy one: “What’s Mick like to work for?”
The answer from the group came back quickly:
“Yeah, he’s good.”
“He looks out for us.”
It was clear the respect was mutual. Mick explained that looking after his team goes well beyond the job. “I make sure the guys know how important it is to eat well, stay fit, and manage their money,” he said.“Sometimes that means helping them set up a bank account so they can get paid properly. It’s about giving them tools to succeed.”
A team that has each other’s backs
Getting to work each day can be one of the biggest challenges for anyone trying to rebuild their life. At Gnalla Enviro, it’s a shared responsibility. “If someone needs a lift, or a reminder to get up, the boys make sure it happens,” Mick said. “They look after each other.”
That sense of teamwork was obvious throughout theconversation. Each of them seemed to recognise the role they play in keepingthe group on track.
Building confidence through skills
Upskilling is a major focus for Mick and Mitch. The first step for many employees is obtaining a car or heavy rigid (HR) licence. From there, the pathway can lead to operating machinery like front-end loaders or excavators. “We want to give them the chance to grow,” Mick said.
After nearly half an hour of chatting, and with the weekend calling not one of the team drifted away! In fact, as the conversation went on, they seemed more at ease.
When asked about their backgrounds, one team member shared that he’d come to Gnalla Enviro after serving time in prison. “Before I got out, I already had a job offer from Mick,” he said. “That gave me something to look forward to.”
For many in the group, the real transformation has been about confidence — rediscovering purpose after long periods of unemployment.
Looking ahead
When asked about their goals, a few mentioned hopes of driving trucks or operating machinery. Mick jumped in, noting his frustration at missing out on certain contracts that could offer more variety and hands-on experience for his workers.
“Simple excavation or clearing work around fences or powerlines would be ideal,” he said. “It gives them a pathway to new skills and keeps them moving forward.”
Mick also suggested that he’d be happy to provide some of his more experienced operators to other employers so that he can bring some new people in.
Wrapping up
We wrapped up just after 4.30pm, and even managed a quick group photo in front of the Gnalla Enviro truck before everyone headed off for the weekend.
Thanks to the Gnalla Enviro team, Lachie, Daniel, Branden,Matt, Cam, and the rest of the crew for sharing their time and their stories.
And a special thanks to Mick and Mitch Matera for their leadership and vision in creating such an inspiring culture that empowers some of society’s most disadvantaged.
If you’d like to connect with Mick to learn more about their approach, or to discuss potential contract opportunities you can reach him at mick.matera@gnallaenviro.com.au.
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