Our History
Jarlmadangah Burru Aboriginal Corporation (JBAC), Nirrumbuk Aboriginal corporation (NAC) and The Victorian Branch of the Plumbers Union have established a working partnership since 2004.
Throughout this period, the partnership has evolved to encompass a number of initiatives that have produced real and effective benefits to Indigenous Communities.
The Plumbing Union established an Indigenous Apprenticeship Program in 2004 that involves the sponsoring of indigenous youth to learn and gain qualifications in the Plumbing Trades. Since this time, there has been more than 30 Indigenous men and women who have studied and worked for their apprenticeship. In 2009, the first group graduated as fully qualified Plumbers.
In addition, and with very limited funding, the Union has embarked on a project to upgrade, maintain and repair community infrastructure with the support of JBAC and NAC. All parties have had positive experiences and are looking forward to further strengthening this relationship.
In 2008 three bodies came together once again and decided to establish a Plumbing Company to service remote Aboriginal communities in the Broome and wider Kimberley region, Queensland and now Darwin NT
This partnership has since been further strengthened by incorporating one Australia's leading plumbing contractors Cooke & Dowsett. Chadd Cooke and Scott Dowsett have collectively over 40 years of experience and currently employ in excess of 200 full time employees nationally.
Cooke & Dowsett have the capacity for all plumbing requirements, including Design & Construction, Project Management, Estimating and have fully qualified Hydraulic Designers & QA Managers.