She approached her stepfather, Brad Hagen, a highly-experienced builder, with a proposal to form a partnership. 

Arabana Builders was born. 

It is an Aboriginal-owned company offering quality commercial construction and related services. 

And it’s a family affair. Three other members of the family work for the business – Jade’s mum, Robyn Richards, is business development manager, her husband Jamie is operations manager and Brad’s son Travis is work health and safety manager. 

“We’re proudly Indigenous-owned and partner with like-minded businesses to offer the full service to our customers from concept and design through to installation and construction,” says Jade. 

Arabana, named after Jade’s people at Lake Eyre in South Australia, is dedicated not only to doing a good job at a reasonable price, but to playing a part in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. 

“With almost three decades of experience in the industry, we know how to get the job done no matter what the challenging Territory climate throws at us,” says Jade. 

“We’re proud of the work we’ve done in the most remote and unforgiving parts of the country. 

“As we grow, our focus will continue to be on supporting our community and offering employment, training and development opportunities for other Indigenous people in the Northern Territory.” 

Arabana successfully constructed a large warehouse at the Core Lithium mine on the outskirts of Darwin. 

It has also worked for Ventia, one of the largest employers in the Territory. 

The company is now keen to pick up more work and, hopefully, employ more Indigenous Territorians. 

Arabana’s services include commercial construction, project management, 3D surveying and design, and structural steel and metalwork design and fabrication. 

CONTACT 

Arabana Builders 

1/3A Verrinder Rd, Berrimah NT 0828 

(08) 7913 7177 

arabanabuilders.com.au