The Darwin-based earthmoving, construction and environmental company has a strict policy of having 44-48 percent of its 200-strong workforce Indigenous.

“No other business touches that,” says Robbie Rusca, who runs the company with his brother Shannon and sister Bianca.

The company has 14 apprentices, 12 of them Aboriginal.

Some of Rusca’s young workers have had brushes with the law and come from troubled families.

Damien Zammit, a former director of the Contarf Foundation, which strives to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys, has been taken on as a full-time manager of the young Indigenous workers.

“We wanted someone dedicated 24/7 in that role,” says Robbie. “We recognise that Indigenous workers need support and mentoring, as well as training.

“We are willing to give young Indigenous Territorians a job if they are willing to work hard. You don’t need a degree from Harvard – just a good work ethic.”

And Bianca says: “We’re passionate about the wellbeing of our staff. We’ve given Indigenous kids jobs and seen them turn their lives around. We can act as a circuit breaker for young people who may otherwise be heading for trouble.

“We want to create a sensational environment for young Territorians, especially Indigenous kids. We want to give them a chance to cross the bridge.

“Black, brown or brindle, if you’ve got a will to work, you’ve got an opportunity at Rusca.

“But we don’t baby our young staff. We talk straight to them – they know that they’re here to work.

“We take them on, train them and set them up for good, full-time jobs.”

Shannon says: “If we all make a small difference, together we can a big difference.” 

Rusca had the most humble beginnings. 

Sid Rusca, who was born under a tree near Borroloola, 900 kilometres south-east of Darwin as the cockie flies, was a member of the Stolen Generations – taken away from his Aboriginal mum at the age of five and put into a mission school on Croker Island. 

He started driving a ‘dozer at a young age and became one of the first Aboriginal Territorians to own his own equipment. 

Today, Rusca is a thriving company – it has successfully delivered many projects, particularly in remote and regional Australia. 

“We’re in a beautiful place,” says Robbie. 

He is excited about Rusca gaining a spot on the northern and southern remote housing panels, which holds out the prospect of major civil construction contracts on Indigenous communities. 

“That will enable us to offer even more opportunities to Indigenous people, especially in Alice Springs and Tennant Creeek. We want to work with the Territory Government to make a difference.” 

Rusca has always stood on its own feet. 

“We’ve never had a cent in grant money,” says Bianca. “Everything we’ve done we’ve done by ourselves.” 

Sid, who founded the company with his wife Jenny in the 1970s, died in 2019, a greatly respected businessman. 

“He taught me so much,” says Robbie. “I miss him every day.” 

One life lesson the family patriarch taught his kids was simple: “No work, no pay.” 

The third generation of the family – Rochelle Rusca, Brady Johnston, Leon Zammit and Brandon Rusca – will one day continue the business.