He sees it as an achievement rather than competition.

And that’s because he has done it himself – he trained as an electrician under his dad Len and started his own company at the age of 23.

Today, Ray is one of the most successful Indigenous business people in Northern Australia.

He is the managing director of DICE in Darwin and employs 70 staff.

Under his leadership, the company has evolved from being a purely electrical contracting business to a major construction company with a very strong electrical and smart energy division.

DICE continues to deliver life-changing solar and battery storage projects in remote regions and installs residential solar jobs on suburban homes every week.

They have also ramped up their commercial solar delivery for the Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics with the recent successful delivery of solar at the Territory Wildlife Park and Malak Primary School.

Darwin-born Ray, who has been in business for 19 years, believes that the way to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is through education, training and employment.

His company has always promised to provide Aboriginal people with opportunities – and has delivered.

DICE creates opportunities and employs local Indigenous staff from the communities where it works.

An example of the respect and trust DICE has gained over nearly two decades is highlighted by the creation of DDJV, a partnership with Demed Aboriginal Corporation. It’s a partnership between two 100 percent Aboriginal-owned and operated entities.

They have been recognised by the NT Government for the successful recent delivery of 10 new homes in Gunbalanya, an Indigenous community 300 kilometres east of Darwin.

In total, they are engaged to build 44 new houses and carry out significant refurbishments, building an additional 62 bedrooms on existing homes. The training tally keeps growing with a further five local Indigenous people in Gunbalanya starting apprenticeships on the project.

“I’m proud that we’ve trained more Indigenous apprentices than most businesses in the Territory. And several of them have set up their own companies.

“It’s been proven that an Indigenous-owned company is 100 times more likely to employ Indigenous workers.”

Ray is particularly pleased that the first Indigenous tradie to complete an apprenticeship under him at DICE has gone on to create his own successful business, employing Territorians and subcontracting on the DDJV Gunbalanya housing project.

“I like to see Territorians do well. I would like to see all businesses have a focus on Indigenous employee outcomes so we can all move forward and achieve together.”

CONTACT

DICE 

7/3A Verrinder Road, Berrimah NT 0828 

PO Box 3822, Palmerston NT 0831 

(08) 8932 1109 

www.diceaust.com.au