Muswellbrook businessman steve fordham a finalist in 2020 Nsw/Act young achiever of the year awards

Muswellbrook businessman steve fordham a finalist in 2020 Nsw/Act young achiever of the year awards.

The Muswellbrook Chronicle • January 15, 2020

Providing opportunities for indigenous community

MUSWELLBROOK businessman Steve Fordham is one step closer to claiming a major honour at the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards.

The 28-year-old was recently named as a finalist in the prestigious category, the TransGrid Indigenous Achievement Award, which will be announced at a Gala Presentation Dinner on Friday, March 20.

Organisers received hundreds of nominations from, and on behalf of, amazing individuals under the age of 29 from New South Wales and the ACT.

Candidates were sought in the following sections: First National Real Estate Leadership, Aboriginal Education Council Aboriginal Education, NSW Department of Education Early Childhood Educator, QPRC Performing Arts, Freemasons of NSW/ACT Community Service, TransGrid Indigenous Achievement, NSW Ministry of Health Healthier Communities, Awards Australia Small Business Achiever and Western Sydney University Academic Achievement.

Winners will each receive a trophy and more than $2000 worth of prizes, made up of a $1500 Bartercard Trade Account, $500 cash from Awards Australia and a $300 voucher from Fly Pelican.

The overall 2020 NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year returns home with an additional $2000 for their Bartercard Trade Account and a further $500 cash from Awards Australia, along with magnificent state silverware.

Mr Fordham is also eligible to capture the People's Choice Award, which celebrates and raises awareness of the finalists' achievements.

To vote for him, so he can win a concert and movie tickets pack valued at $500, go to https://awardsaustralia.app.do/nswyaa20

The poll closes at midnight on Monday, March 16.

Mr Fordham's entry form stated he was determined to work hard to achieve his goals.

A proud Kamilaroi man, he co-founded Blackrock Industries with an aim of sustaining a large focus on indigenous employment and providing opportunities to inmates to be rehabilitated back into society.

He's a member of the Muswellbrook Aboriginal Land Council, advisory committee for Muswellbrook PCYC and Upper Hunter Aboriginal Land Council board.

He was an advisor for federal minister Mathew Canavan for the 2030 Resources Taskforce and has worked with the state government on the IPP policy, too.

Fellow Muswellbrook resident Yasmin Jimmieson was nominated for the First National Real Estate Leadership Award.

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There’s been one topic of discussion in Canberra this week, jobs jobs and more jobs.

By Australian Mining • September 6, 2022

The federal government kicked off a two day Jobs and Skills summit at Parliament House yesterday, and there has been plenty of interest from the Hunter region. Founder and managing director of Blackrock Industries, based in Muswellbrook, Steve Fordham is at the summit and spoke more to Amelia Bernasconi.

The resources sector underpins indigenous business.

By Australian Government • May 18, 2022

Blackrock Industries are experienced mining contractors, providing comprehensive mining services to clients across New South Wales (NSW) and in other states. Founded in Muswellbrook, NSW, by Steve Fordham, Blackrock Industries began as a labour hire company with one truck and two workers. Now Blackrock Industries is situated in 17 locations across Australia and employs more than 100 people, including 20 rehabilitated inmates and a 75 per cent Indigenous workforce. Blackrock Industries is creating opportunities for Indigenous Australians and women. The business creates solutions that both serve society and work alongside local communities as they grow and develop. In its first 18 months, the company grew rapidly, providing mining services to the resources sector. With a small but highly skilled team of mining professionals, engineers and other specialists, Blackrock Industries focuses on working with clients to improve Indigenous workplace and economic participation. Blackrock Industries quickly became a sustainable and profitable company, grossing $2 million in their first 12 months, and another $2.4 million in the following six months. Steve Fordham strives to balance his business ambitions with his strong inclusive values and roots as a Kamilaroi man. He is committed to creating positive solutions for communities and the environment, including to create jobs and drive regional economies. As a member of the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council Board, Steve recognises that Muswellbrook has the highest Aboriginal population in the Hunter Valley and is working towards creating employment for the majority of the population.

Indigenous jobs program aims to upskill the incarcerated.

By Sky News • April 15, 2021

Second Chance for Change founder Steven Fordham discusses the purpose of his program – which aims to work with the NSW prison system to give employment opportunities to incarcerated Indigenous men. ”We’ve been running the program for the last couple of years – essentially it’s a work-release program, so the guys get to come out during a day, work in a mine site, get the opportunity for employment,” he told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “To me a lot of people sort of look at prison as a punishment – but to me it’s all about rehabilitation. Mr Fordham also said most inmates could show future employers they’ve acquired tools, skills, and experience over the “last couple of years” that shows they have prospects and a means to go forward in life. “Essentially what we do is we give them those tools, so when they go and look for future employment, instead of going in and going ‘well what have you done for the last couple of years’ – they can say ‘I’ve been working for this company… I’ve got a job opportunity, I’ve got a way to progress and I’ve got a way to go forward.”