Aboriginal Participation Transport for NSW Zero Emission Bus Program

Client: Transport for NSW (TfNSW)

Program: Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Transition Program

Focus Areas: Engagement, Mentoring, and Capabilities Building

Goal: To ensure the ZEB transition is supported by effective stakeholder engagement, internal capabilities development, and a focus on Indigenous and local economic participation. 

This engagement supports TfNSW in achieving its ambitious net-zero targets by ensuring the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet (set for completion in Greater Sydney by 2035, and regionally by 2047) is delivered efficiently, inclusively, and with strong community and industry alignment. Ripementoring's role provides essential human-centric project support to this major infrastructure and technology transformation.

Ripementoring Pty Ltd is currently engaged in a high-impact project with Transport for NSW (TfNSW), specifically supporting the landmark Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Transition Program. This project leverages Ripementoring's core strengths as a 100% female Indigenous-owned business and Indigenous consultancy to deliver targeted, culturally informed services crucial to the successful, inclusive rollout of the ZEB initiative across NSW.

In the wake of the devastating 2019–20 "Black Summer" bushfire season, Ripe Mentoring stepped up to provide critical grassroots support when our regional communities needed it most.

Our efforts were formally acknowledged by the Australian Senate in early 2020. During parliamentary proceedings and the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Senator Perin Davey officially recognised Ripe Mentoring for filling vital gaps in disaster recovery.

Impact recorded in Hansard:

• Targeted Fundraising: We spearheaded local initiatives to raise essential funds for devastated communities across the South Coast and Riverina regions.
• Mentorship & Mental Health: Beyond financial aid, we provided hands-on support for individuals and small business owners navigating the emotional and economic fallout of the disaster.
• Community Advocacy: We acted as a bridge to Canberra, ensuring that regional voices were heard at a federal level and that no community was left behind during the recovery phase.

The  National Impact: 

"Ripe Mentoring's proactive role demonstrated the power of grassroots leadership in the face of national crisis." — Adapted from Senate Proceedings, 2020.

Client: Uncle Warren Foster 

Company: Dream-time Entertainment 

Role: Comprehensive Project Management & Cultural Coordination

The Yuin Nation Birriga Bunaan is a significant traditional ceremony and corroboree held at the foot of Minga Gulaga (Mother Mountain). This gathering serves as a vital spiritual homecoming for the Yuin people, facilitating the sharing of sacred knowledge, Lore, songlines, and Dreaming tracks to heal Country and community.

Ripementoring Pty Ltd was honored to provide end-to-end project management for this landmark cultural event, working under the guidance of Uncle Warren Foster, a respected Djiringanj Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and founder of Dream-time Entertainment.

Key Contributions & Scope:

• Strategic Project Management: Oversaw the complex logistics of a statewide regional gathering, ensuring the seamless coordination of transport, site infrastructure, and vendor management.
• Cultural Respect & Safety: Worked closely with Uncle Warren Foster to ensure all aspects of the event—from the ceremonial circle to the Elders' spaces—were delivered with profound cultural integrity and respect for Yuin protocols.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Managed communications and partnerships between Dreamtime Entertainment, local land councils, government bodies, and community sponsors to secure funding and resources.
• Event Delivery: Facilitated a safe, empowering environment for hundreds of participants—including dancers, songmen, and families—traveling from across NSW and beyond to participate in traditional healing ceremonies.

Cultural Impact:

"By supporting the Birriga Bunaan, we helped create a space where the world’s oldest living culture continues to thrive. Our role was to bridge the gap between complex modern event logistics and the ancient traditions of the Yuin Nation, ensuring the focus remained on healing, connection, and the strength of the community."

Project: Black Duck Bunaan & International Bushfire Recovery Locations: Huskisson, NSW | Sydney, NSW Key Partners: Uncle Warren Foster, Yukon First Nations Wildfire (Canada)

In 2019, Ripementoring Pty Ltd played a pivotal role in a historic cultural and humanitarian exchange. As the "Black Summer" bushfires began to impact the South Coast, we managed the logistics and coordination of the Black Duck Bunaan in Huskisson—a powerful gathering of dance, song, and traditional ceremony.

Our involvement extended beyond local borders, facilitating a landmark international connection that bridged Indigenous knowledge across hemispheres.

Key Project Highlights:

• Yukon to Yuin Connection: Ripementoring was instrumental in bringing Yukon First Nations firefighters from Canada to the South Coast of NSW. This exchange allowed these elite responders to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal communities, sharing knowledge on fire stewardship and land management while witnessing the impact of the fires on sacred Yuin sites.
• Sydney Music Benefit Events: We partnered with major music events in Sydney to channel emergency funding to bushfire victims. These high-profile concerts featured some of Australia’s most iconic voices—including John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Jessica Mauboy, and Delta Goodrem—uniting the nation through song to support regional recovery.
• Cultural Infrastructure: Provided the project management framework for the Black Duck Bunaan, ensuring the event served as a safe space for community healing and cultural resilience during a time of environmental crisis.
• Fundraising & Advocacy: Leveraged these platforms to ensure that funds reached grassroots Aboriginal organizations and regional families who were often overlooked by mainstream relief efforts.

The Impact: 

"Bringing the Yukon firefighters to the South Coast wasn't just about disaster response; it was about global Indigenous brotherhood. By combining the visibility of Australia’s biggest music stars with the grounded reality of our First Nations fire practitioners, we ensured the recovery was both culturally informed and financially supported."

Partner: North Nowra Public School

Focus: Youth Engagement, Emotional Resilience, and Mentorship

Target: Primary School Students (Years 3–6)

Between 2017 and 2018, Ripementoring Pty Ltd launched The Ripe Mentors, a flagship intensive intervention program at North Nowra Public School. Designed specifically for students facing barriers to classroom engagement, the program shifted the focus from traditional discipline to connection-based growth.

By creating a "safe harbor" within the school environment, we worked to re-engage students who were at risk of falling through the cracks, providing them with the tools to navigate social and emotional challenges.

Core Program Pillars:

• Holistic Mentorship: Moved beyond academic tutoring to provide consistent, one-on-one emotional support, helping students build a sense of self-worth and belonging.
• Behavioral Breakthroughs: Implemented trauma-informed strategies to help disengaged youth manage conflict, improve communication, and return to the classroom with a positive mindset.
• Skill Building & Leadership: Students were empowered to take ownership of their choices through hands-on activities, team-building exercises, and community-focused projects.
• Collaborative Care: Worked in lockstep with teachers, school counselors, and families to ensure a "whole-of-child" approach that extended from the playground to the home.

The Outcome: 

"The Ripe Mentors wasn't just about keeping kids in school; it was about showing them they had a voice and a future. By the end of 2018, we saw a measurable shift in classroom participation and a significant decrease in playground incidents among our participants."

Partners: National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) & Campbell Page 

Locations: Batemans Bay High School & Moruya High School Focus: Empowerment, Cultural Connection, and Educational Retention for Young Indigenous Women Launched during a period of significant regional recovery, The Stronger Tiddas Program was a dedicated mentoring initiative designed to uplift and empower young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (Tiddas) across the Eurobodalla shire. Funded by the NIAA and delivered in partnership with Campbell Page, Ripementoring Pty Ltd provided the strategic framework and hands-on facilitation to foster resilience and leadership.

Program Objectives & Delivery: 

• Cultural Identity & Pride: Built a foundation of cultural strength, connecting students with local Elders and knowledge holders to deepen their understanding of heritage and belonging.
• Social & Emotional Wellbeing: Provided a safe, culturally informed space for Tiddas to navigate the unique challenges of adolescence, post-disaster trauma, and educational pressures.
• Academic & Career Pathways: Mentored students in goal-setting and career planning, bridging the gap between secondary school and future opportunities in employment or further study.
• Leadership Development: Encouraged participants to find their voices as emerging leaders within their school communities, fostering confidence that translated into improved classroom engagement and attendance.

Collaborative Impact:

By aligning the grassroots expertise of Ripementoring with the resources of Campbell Page and the NIAA, the program delivered a holistic support network for young women at Batemans Bay and Moruya High Schools.

"Stronger Tiddas was about more than just mentorship; it was about sisterhood and sovereignty. By investing in these young women, we invested in the future matriarchs and leaders of the South Coast."

Location: Jervis Bay (Booderee National Park), NSW

Participants: At-risk youth from Greater Sydney

Focus: Cultural Immersion, Trauma Recovery, and Identity Building

In 2021, Ripementoring Pty Ltd designed and delivered a transformative Aboriginal Girls Cultural Camp in the pristine wilderness of Jervis Bay. This intensive program was specifically tailored for "at-risk" young women traveling from urban Sydney, providing a vital circuit-breaker from the pressures and complexities of city life.

By removing these young women from their everyday environments and placing them on Country, we facilitated a profound journey of self-discovery and ancestral connection.

Program Components & Cultural Healing: 

• On-Country Connection: Utilised the sacred landscapes of Jervis Bay to teach traditional land stewardship, providing a calm environment for emotional regulation and reflection.
• Elder-Led Mentorship: Facilitated direct access to female Elders and Knowledge Holders, allowing participants to hear oral histories and engage in traditional practices like weaving and ochre painting.
• Trauma-Informed Workshops: Addressed the specific challenges faced by troubled teens through yarning circles, focusing on self-esteem, resilience, and breaking cycles of disadvantage.
• Safe Space & Sisterhood: Created a supportive "village" atmosphere where participants could share their stories without judgment, building lasting bonds with peers from similar backgrounds.

The Transformation Impact: 

The shift from the urban landscape of Sydney to the saltwater Country of Jervis Bay allowed these young women to strip away societal labels and reconnect with their inherent worth as First Nations women.

"Watching these girls arrive with the weight of the city on their shoulders and leave with their heads held high, speaking with pride about their culture, is why we do this work. Culture is the best medicine for a disconnected spirit."

Location: One Health Clinic, Nowra, NSW

Focus: Integrated Youth Support, Mental Health, and Community Connection

Collaborators: One Health Clinic & Local Allied Health Practitioners

Partners: Create NSW & Aboriginal Affairs NSW

Focus: Cultural Expression, Creative Arts, and Leadership for Young First Nations Women

In 2025, Ripementoring Pty Ltd expanded its physical footprint by establishing a dedicated Youth Mentoring Hub within the One Health Clinic in Nowra. This strategic co-location represents a holistic shift in how we support the young people of the Shoalhaven, placing mentorship at the heart of a comprehensive health and wellbeing ecosystem.

By operating alongside clinical professionals, the Hub provides a non-clinical "soft entry" point for youth who may feel intimidated by traditional medical settings but require consistent, grounded support.

Hub Services & Strategic Impact: 

• Integrated Care Model: Working in tandem with GPs, psychologists, and allied health staff at One Health to ensure a seamless transition between clinical treatment and social-emotional mentorship.
• Safe "Drop-In" Environment: A culturally safe and neutral space in the heart of Nowra where local youth can access guidance, advocacy, and a listening ear without the stigma often associated with "appointments."
• Crisis Diversion: Providing immediate, relational support to de-escalate crisis situations and reconnect young people with their families, education, or specialised health services.
• Pathways to Employment: Utilising the Hub as a base for life-skills workshops, resume building, and connecting disengaged youth with local Shoalhaven businesses and training opportunities.

The Social Impact & Vision: 

The Nowra Youth Mentoring Hub serves as a bridge. We recognise that health isn't just the absence of illness—it’s the presence of community, purpose, and reliable mentors.

"By being physically located within the One Health Clinic, we are closing the gap between medical care and social recovery. We are meeting our youth where they are, in a space that respects both their health needs and their need for genuine human connection."

Partner: St John the Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra

Funding & Support: Create NSW & Aboriginal Affairs NSW

Focus: Targeted Mentoring, Creative Arts, and Educational Engagement

In 2025, Ripementoring Pty Ltd launched a flagship dual-initiative at St John the Evangelist Catholic High School in Nowra. This project combines the Empowered Tiddas intensive mentoring program with the innovative Ripe Hub, creating a permanent sanctuary for at-risk Aboriginal girls. 

By integrating creative expression with traditional one-on-one mentoring, we have established a model that bridges the gap between cultural identity and academic success.

Key Program Features: 

• The Ripe Hub : A dedicated, culturally safe "Hub" on the school campus. This space serves as a neutral ground where students can access support, collaborate on creative projects, and engage in "yarning" without the pressures of a formal classroom.
• Creative Empowerment (Create NSW): Utilizing arts-based therapy and cultural workshops—including digital media, traditional weaving, and contemporary design—to help young women process trauma and build self-esteem.
• Targeted Intervention (Aboriginal Affairs): Providing specialized mentorship for girls identified as disengaged or at-risk, focusing on emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and leadership development.
• Educational Retention: Working alongside St John's faculty to ensure that cultural wellbeing translates into classroom attendance and the successful completion of secondary schooling.

The Vision: 

The synergy between a physical "Hub" and a targeted "Program" allows for consistent, daily impact. It ensures that the support doesn't end when a workshop finishes—it’s a constant presence in the students' lives.

"The Ripe Hub at St John's is more than a room; it’s a sovereign space for our Tiddas. By combining the creative resources of Create NSW with the cultural advocacy of Aboriginal Affairs, we are proving that when girls feel seen and culturally safe, they don't just stay in school—they lead it."

Partner: Grand Pacific Health

Focus: Adult Mental Health, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Community Resilience

Core Theme: Transforming Fear into Strength

In 2021, Ripementoring Pty Ltd launched The Good Fire, a specialized mental health initiative developed in direct response to the lingering psychological impact of the "Black Summer" bushfires. In partnership with Grand Pacific Health, this program moved beyond traditional clinical therapy to provide a strength-based, community-led framework for recovery.

The name "The Good Fire" draws on the cultural understanding of fire as a tool for renewal and cleansing, rather than just destruction. We worked with adults across the South Coast to shift the narrative from victimhood to empowerment.

Program Framework & Therapeutic Approach: 

• Overcoming Fear: Focused on desensitisation and emotional regulation for community members triggered by mental health issues.
• Strength-Based Mentoring: Replaced the "deficit model" of mental health with a focus on existing community strengths, helping participants identify their personal resilience factors.
• Peer-to-Led Support: Facilitated yarning circles and group sessions where adults could share their recovery journeys in a non-clinical, culturally safe environment.
• Integrated Care: Worked alongside the clinicians at Grand Pacific Health to provide a "wraparound" service, ensuring participants had access to both professional psychological support and grassroots mentorship.

The impact: 

"Fire has two faces—the one that destroys and the one that heals. Through 'The Good Fire,' we helped our community members stop looking back and start looking forward to the regrowth. By addressing the fear head-on, we allowed people to reclaim their sense of safety on Country."

Bec's Story: https://www.gph.org.au/real-stories/beks-story/

Location: Nowra (Shoalhaven River), NSW

Focus: Family Unity, Intergenerational Healing, and Childhood Development

Theme: Connection to Water and Ancestral Strength

Launched in 2020, the Spirit of the River program was developed by Ripementoring Pty Ltd as a grassroots response to the social isolation and family stress exacerbated by the dual crises of the "Black Summer" bushfires and the onset of the global pandemic. Based along the banks of the Shoalhaven River, the program utilised the natural environment as a co-facilitator for healing and reconnection.

Unlike school-based programs, Spirit of the River focused on the family unit, recognising that a child’s resilience is deeply rooted in the strength and stability of their home environment and their connection to Country.

Program Pillars & Community Impact:

• Intergenerational Yarning: Created a space for parents, and children to share stories by the water, bridging the communication gap between generations and reinforcing cultural identity.
• Nature-Based Regulation: Used the calming influence of the river to teach mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques to children and their caregivers, providing tools to manage anxiety and trauma.
• Family Mentorship: Provided hands-on support for parents navigating the challenges of raising children in a post-disaster landscape, focusing on positive parenting and emotional availability.
• Cultural Knowledge Transfer: Engaged local knowledge holders to teach traditional fishing, gathering, and water stewardship practices, fostering a sense of pride and belonging in young participants.

The Social Impact and Vision: 

The Shoalhaven River has always been a source of life and a place of gathering for the Yuin people. By bringing families back to the water, we tapped into an ancient rhythm of healing that can’t be found in an office or a classroom.

"The river doesn't just flow; it carries the stories of those who came before us. Through 'Spirit of the River,' we helped families find their flow again, washing away the stress of the previous year and anchoring them in their shared history and future."

Location: Nowra, NSW

Focus: Maternal Health, Physical Wellness, and Emotional Sovereignty

Target: First Nations Women and Mothers in the Shoalhaven

In 2020, Ripementoring Pty Ltd identified a critical need for a gender-specific health initiative that addressed the "whole-of-life" wellness of women in the Nowra community. The Women’s Holistic Health and Wellbeing Program was designed to move beyond the narrow focus of clinical health, instead embracing a model that balances physical fitness, nutritional education, and mental resilience within a culturally safe framework.

Recognizing that women are the pillars of the family unit, this program focused on empowering participants to prioritize their own wellbeing so they could continue to lead and nurture their communities.

Key Program Components: 

• Physical Vitality: Facilitated gentle fitness and movement sessions tailored for women of all ages and fitness levels, focusing on the link between physical activity and mental clarity.
• Nutritional Advocacy: Hosted "Kitchen Table" workshops that combined traditional bush medicine knowledge with modern nutritional science, helping families make healthy choices on a budget.
• Mental & Emotional Sovereignty: Provided a private space for women to address issues such as postnatal stress, caregiver burnout, and the emotional toll of regional disasters through peer-led support groups.
• Self-Care as Resistance: Promoted the philosophy that looking after one’s self is a vital act of leadership, offering workshops on mindfulness, boundaries, and stress management.

The Impact: 

By providing a space dedicated exclusively to women, the program fostered a "sisterhood" of support that extended well beyond the scheduled sessions. It allowed women to step out of their roles as caregivers and reconnect with their individual identities and health goals.

"A healthy community starts with healthy women. In 2020, we didn't just talk about health—we practiced it together. We created a sanctuary in Nowra where our women could breathe, heal, and find the strength to keep leading their families through a challenging year."