Supporting Pathways to Opportunity Through Indigenous-Led Partnerships.
GH Commercial, in partnership with Dreamtime Flooring, is proud to support On-Country Pathways through sales of the Here Before carpet tile and plank collection.
The donation to On-Country Pathways forms part of the Here Before collection's ongoing commitment to supporting Indigenous communities. For every square metre sold, Dreamtime Flooring and Godfrey Hirst each donate $1 per square metre annually to a charitable Indigenous organisation, with recipients selected based on community need and impact.
On-Country Pathways is a First Nations-led not-for-profit organisation supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through employment, training and mentoring opportunities. Working with people aged 15–24, the organisation delivers initiatives including work experience, job placement support and a driver mentor program, helping young people build confidence, skills and connections to employment.
Operating across 16 communities throughout the Riverina Murray region, On-Country Pathways delivers locally led programs that create meaningful opportunities and long-term outcomes for First Nations young people. Through strong partnerships with employers, schools, training providers and community organisations, the organisation develops pathways that respond to local needs while empowering young people to achieve their goals.
One such success story is Eli, who was referred to On-Country Pathways by his school in 2022. Through the organisation's Work Experience Program, Eli gained hands-on experience with employment partners CoreWorx Group and Essential Energy, helping him discover a career pathway in the electrical trades.
With support from the Job Placement Support Program and ongoing mentoring, Eli successfully secured a powerline worker apprenticeship with Essential Energy in 2024. At the same time, he participated in the Driver Mentor Program, gaining the supervised driving hours and support needed to obtain his driver's licence.
Reflecting on his journey, Eli said:
"On-Country Pathways have been there from the start, helping guide me even if it's just giving me a quick text or having a 30-minute phone call; they are always there to have a yarn.
I had a few different mentors but every single one of them truly cared about my well-being. I really would encourage anyone to give it a crack. It's been a life-changing experience."
Today, Eli is thriving in his apprenticeship and was recently recognised by his peers with a training award, highlighting the lasting impact of culturally safe mentoring, practical support and strong community partnerships.
Similar outcomes are being achieved through On-Country Pathways' employment partnerships across the region. Kane, from North Albury, secured employment with First Scaff after participating in the Job Placement Support Program, following a placement at the Culcairn Solar Farm. Through partnerships with local employers committed to creating inclusive workplaces, young people are gaining valuable skills, confidence and pathways into long-term employment.
On-Country Pathways continues to expand its reach, with its Driver Mentor Program launching in Wangaratta in July 2026. The program helps young people gain the supervised driving hours, mentoring and support needed to obtain their driver's licence in a culturally safe environment, which is an important step towards greater independence, education and employment opportunities.
Through contributions from the Here Before collection, GH Commercial and Dreamtime Flooring are proud to support organisations like On-Country Pathways that are creating lasting opportunities for First Nations young people and helping build stronger futures for communities across regional Australia.
