Resource Partners

Cisco is a worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. We began our support for the Cape York Welfare Reform process in 2004 as a member of Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships. In 2008 we provided support to Cape York Partnerships' (CYP) welfare reform implementation efforts by contributing web-enabled communication technology (WebEx) to facilitate communication between the welfare reform communities and CYP stakeholders. Cisco employees are also supporting individual CYP staff to use this WebEx technology.

It is fundamental to Cisco's core values and culture to contribute to the social fabric of the communities in which we operate. We are proud to be able to support Cape York Partnerships' Welfare Reform initiatives.

Anthony Lupi, CSR Consultant, CISCO ANZ

In line with our vision to be a great Australasian company, Westpac maintains a deep and long-standing commitment to recognise, respect and act on the rights and needs of Indigenous Australian, Maori and Pacific Island communities. To achieve this, we have built long term relationships with individuals, local groups and organisations representing Indigenous Australian, Maori and Pacific Island communities to:

• Improve our own and our stakeholders' understanding of the needs of these communities;
• Identify ways we can provide value adding solutions, making a positive contribution towards improved outcomes; and
• Build capacity for economic potential and increased participation in the mainstream economy, to help people achieve their financial aspirations.

In Australia since 2001, we have been working in a strategic alliance through Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships with Cape York Partnerships Office. In particular, our staff have been seconded to work on the development and implementation of Family Income Management and Every Child is Special Education program. Our staff have also contributed significantly to the internal capacity building of CYP.

Westpac views this alliance as a great opportunity for our people to make a real and tangible contribution to addressing Indigenous disadvantage while personally experiencing working at grass roots level with an Indigenous organisation and Indigenous communities. We see this as an unparalleled opportunity for the personal development of our people.

Graham Paterson, Head of Westpac Group Sustainability

IBM continually looks at new approaches to how we contribute to and grow the communities in which we're already working.

A program like Cape York has a triple benefit. It benefits communities by collaboratively solving problems on the ground; in this case with a focus on improving the standard of living for Indigenous people, health, improvement in welfare, web design, accounting, infrastructure, and financial management advice. It benefits IBMers by providing them with an exemplary form of leadership training and development. It benefits the IBM company by developing a new generation of leaders who are prepared to function locally and as global citizens and professionals.

Odette Knight, Operations Service Delivery, IBM

Gilbert + Tobin has strong and longstanding commitment to providing pro bono legal services to Indigenous organisations which lead to social and economic developments. It has been invaluable working with a well respected, pro active and effective organisation such as Cape York Partnerships to use some of our legal expertise to assist indigenous communities in Far North Queensland.

Michelle Hannon, Partner, Gilbert + Tobin

Blake Dawson is honoured to work with Cape York Partnerships. The best way to contribute to positive change in a community is to support the community to achieve its own aspirations and this is at the heart of Cape York Partnerships' important work. For Blake Dawson to provide effective support for Cape York Partnerships we need a deep understanding of the organisation and its projects and strong relationships with its people.

Secondments to Cape York Partnerships are valuable both for the secondee and for the firm. Secondees are personally enriched by their time, learning about communities on the Cape and having the satisfaction of using their skills to provide tangible assistance. Professionally, the secondees are stretched, using their experience and developing new skills in challenging work outside their day-to-day practice. From Blake Dawson's perspective, we see our people grow, we see our links with Cape York Partnerships flourish, and, crucially, through working with Cape York Partnerships' we hope we are able to support the aspirations of the people of Cape York.

Anne Cregan, Blake Dawson