PROUD FAMILY BUILDS A PROUD MODEL

It is supplying organisations Australia-wide (including some of the country’s biggest infrastructure projects, transport companies and more) with quality workwear, PPE and safety gear as well as offering employment opportunities to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Today they are proud, and strive to bring the same opportunities to their 140-plus Indigenous workforce.

Former Carlton 200-game player and life member Andrew Walker (managing director), along with siblings Benny Walker (director), Melanie Micalizzi (head of operations) and cousin Dr Troy Walker (health and wellbeing facilitator) – all Yorta Yorta people – have worked together in the business since 2020.

They have taken their life experiences, expertise and knowledge into an industry that they believe offers great career opportunities, satisfaction and room for personal growth.

Since its inception, A2B has built its business model on the pillars of ‘Energy’, ‘Integrity’, ‘Self-drive’ and ‘Motivation’.

The team have built a workforce of 140-plus Aboriginal men and women working across major builds currently under construction in Victoria, including major roads upgrades, level crossing removal projects, hospital rebuilds, prison rebuilds, school rebuilds and disaster recovery.

A2B Consumables is an Aboriginal owned and controlled workwear, personal protection equipment (PPE), safety and consumables supply company with a mission.

Benny Walker said: “A2B Consumables was born out of the desire to offer diverse employment opportunities to our people. As we grow, our vision is to continue to grow our Indigenous work force in all areas of our business.”

The A2B team understand the challenges and barriers that many of the Indigenous workforce face on a daily basis.

Part of A2B’s vision is to extend and build on the foundation set by their late grandfather Archie Walker, a beautiful, kind, hard-working, well-respected Yorta Yorta man, born by the Murray River at Cummeragunja near Echuca/Moama.

Archie Walker was pivotal in the trajectory the family takes today.

He took his exceptional work ethic, combined with a realisation of the opportunity he had, to break a cycle and give himself and his family a life and role model that would influence the Walker lines for generations to come.

Their parents worked hard to instil similar values and the Walker children have taken their advice into the business they have created and continue to build.

The A2B team reflect on this daily and when faced with adversity and challenges, they draw on the spirit of their great role models, remembering the lessons they’ve learned from their great examples.

The A2B team aim to instil the same values in those they meet – to build resilience, integrity, accountability and pride in oneself. Through this they aim to impart systemic and intergenerational change for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people through mentoring, health and wellbeing and careers.

“Close to everyday, we are changing the lives of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters,” Andrew Walker said.

“To watch them grab an opportunity with both hands, develop genuine personal growth through adopting A2B values, fills our hearts full of so much pride.

“On most occasions with our employees’ journeys, we are faced with adversity and hardship, but through consistency, repetition and support, we are seeing systematic change happen in front of our eyes.”