He founded project management and construction company Wurrba in Darwin four years ago to help fill the gaps in Indigenous employment within the greater Darwin area.

The business has completed a range of projects, including many for Defence, such as refurbishment of the technical workshop at Robertson Barracks, demolition and rebuild at RAAF Tindal in Katherine, and a hangar roof replacement at RAAF Darwin.

Most recently, it revamped the Cyclone Tracy Exhibit at the Museum and Art Gallery ahead of the 50th anniversary and Mary River Ranger Station in Kakadu.

In that short time, Wurrba has built up a reputation for finishing jobs on time, within budget and to the highest standards.

It has grown from a team of three to 12 in the past six months.

Wurrba has added to that reputation and growth by always subcontracting to Territory firms, particularly those that are Indigenous owned, supporting a true Indigenous-to-Indigenous purchasing framework.

“I want to help the people I grew up with,” Raphael says. “I want Territory money to stay in the Territory.”

Raphael, who played 85 games for St Kilda from 2004-12, is passionate about an issue close to his heart: sustainable land management and sustainable and ecological practices.

“A lot of land management training and support, whether it’s fire control, weed control or feral animal control, is done by contractors from interstate,” he says. “Indigenous people can do all of this work and should be empowered to do so.”

Raphael is a proud Marri Amu, Marri Tjevin and Larrakia man who named his company Wurrba after the skin name given to him by the Marri Amu and Marri Tjevin clans of the Moyle River floodplains.

The business aims to carry out exciting environmental work, including:

Training Indigenous ranger groups to use the Raindance machine for fire management as part of savanna fire management while also helping in the management of gamba grass and be the local technical support for the equipment.

Raphael has been to Perth to complete training to use and maintain the Raindance machines, which drop small chemical “firebombs” from the side of a helicopter.

“It’s an efficient and quicker way to start controlled fires,” he says.

The technology allows rangers and fire personnel to initiate controlled burns from the air, removing the need for people on the ground. 

Through GPS technology and aerial surveillance, control burns can be tracked and controlled, optimising the reduction of fuel loads, vegetation regeneration and conservancy of the environment. 

Wurrba also plans to work with rangers to step up the control of feral animals, including the aerial culling of pigs, buffalo and horses.

Raphael will continue his close relationships with NAILSMA, Arnhem Choppers and Aboriginal Sea Company to bring people together to help with feral animal management.

Wurrba will focus on blue carbon within the coastal and flood plain areas of the Northern Territory to help with the ungulate management method, which focuses on the removal of feral animal ungulates, to prevent damage to wetland soils and vegetation.

By doing so, it helps mitigate gas emissions and promotes healthier ecosystems. This approach not only supports regional biodiversity but also offers significant benefits to coastal Aboriginal communities restoring and protecting their coastal floodplains impacted by these animals.

Wurrba is introducing the Territory’s first laser cleansers, which can clean contaminants, such as oxidation, paint and mould, from ports, building sites and other work premises with extraordinary efficiency.

“Laser cleaning will become a critical enabler for the NT’s manufacturing and wider industrial ecosystem,” Raphael says.

“Through the adoption and deployment of this advanced technology, Wurrba will be able to tackle everything from infrastructure remediation to equipment maintenance, remanufacturing and waste reduction faster, safer and more efficiently than ever before.

“In consultation with local customers and industry, we have identified a significant pipeline of work spanning the maritime, defence, and local government sectors. This includes tasks such as graffiti and lead paint removal, machinery servicing, and preventative maintenance for critical infrastructure. 

“These opportunities ensure that more Territory dollars remain in the region to directly supporting local jobs.”

Laser surface cleaning is superior to traditional cleaning methods, such as media or ice blasting, as it offers unparalleled precision, efficiency and environmental benefits. 

Unlike abrasive techniques that rely on physical contact, laser cleaning uses focused light to vaporise contaminants without damaging the underlying material or heating the surface being treated, in turn making it ideal for delicate surfaces, critical infrastructure, aerospace components, and medical devices.

Wurrba has bought three laser cleaners with the support of the Northern Territory Government through the Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund.

“I want Wurrba to be a one-stop shop for environmental management, to be the business that brings ranger groups, private business and government together to get the job done.”

Wurrba has already trained one laser operator and has a Defence-accredited laser safety officer in preparation to train six more Territorians.

Use of the cleaner will support sustainable practices and promote the circular economy.

In the meantime, Wurrba’s core project management and construction is going well.

Its competitive advantages include offering full project management and construction capacity under one roof; coordination, and management services; a strong network of building partners; strong experience with Defence building requirements; and is FSC and ISO accredited.

CONTACT

Wurrba 

33/119 Reichardt Road, Winnellie, Darwin NT 0820 

0437 448 318 

info@wurrba.com.au 

wurrba.com.au