Bandum Fund partnership helps strengthen culture, confidence and connection through education
At SCS Indigenous (SCSi), we believe creating opportunities for First Nations people extends well beyond the workplace.
Recently, SCSi proudly supported the launch of the Kelmscott Senior High School Didgeridoo Program, a pilot initiative designed to strengthen Aboriginal students’ connection to culture, identity, education and community through the Bandum Fund.
The program provides regular didgeridoo lessons delivered by respected cultural engagement facilitator Tryse Rioli, creating a culturally safe environment where students can learn a traditional instrument while building confidence, pride and a stronger sense of belonging.
During their visit to Western Australia for Supply Nation Connect 2026, SCS Indigenous co-founders Scott McCartney and Nick Pastras visited Kelmscott Senior High School to meet with students, school representatives and program partners, and formally present the Bandum Fund contribution supporting the initiative.
The visit provided an opportunity to hear firsthand about the school’s commitment to supporting Aboriginal students and to see how cultural engagement can play an important role in strengthening student wellbeing and participation.
Left: Students learning the didgeridoo with cultural engagement facilitator Tryse Rioli as part of the Kelmscott Senior High School Didgeridoo Program.
Right: Tryse Rioli shares the experience with SCS Indigenous co-founders Nick Pastras and Scott McCartney.
Supporting education through cultural connection
The Didgeridoo Program was developed as a practical way to encourage greater engagement with school by strengthening students’ connection to culture.
Rather than operating as a standalone activity, the program complements the school’s existing Aboriginal mentoring, student wellbeing, attendance and cultural engagement initiatives.
For many Aboriginal students, opportunities to connect with culture can become an important part of their educational journey. Programs like this help students feel recognised, supported and proud of who they are while encouraging stronger participation in school life and building positive relationships with teachers, mentors and fellow students.
The pilot program will also provide valuable insights into student participation, engagement and attendance, helping the school and its partners evaluate opportunities to expand the initiative in the future.
Why the Bandum Fund exists
The Bandum Fund was established by SCSi to ensure that business success creates meaningful community outcomes.
As an Aboriginal-owned business, SCSi reinvests a portion of its revenue into initiatives that support First Nations people through education, culture, sport, leadership and personal development.
The Fund focuses on removing barriers that prevent individuals and communities from accessing opportunities that can have a lasting impact.
While every initiative is different, they all share the same purpose: helping people build confidence, strengthen connections and create pathways for future success.
Small investments can create lasting impact
One of the key objectives of the Kelmscott Senior High School Didgeridoo Program is to demonstrate how relatively modest community investment can deliver meaningful outcomes. By supporting cultural participation, schools can provide students with something to look forward to, opportunities to celebrate achievement and another reason to remain engaged with their education.
The pilot will measure participation, student feedback and broader engagement, creating a foundation for potential long-term expansion and encouraging other organisations to support similar initiatives.
For SCS Indigenous, this reflects our belief that creating positive change often starts with listening, partnering with communities and investing where it can make the greatest difference.
Investing in people, not just projects
SCSi was founded on the belief that commercial success should create opportunities for communities. Supporting the Kelmscott Senior High School Didgeridoo Program is one example of how the Bandum Fund is helping create meaningful outcomes beyond the workplace.
By investing in initiatives that strengthen culture, inspire young people and encourage educational engagement, SCSi hopes to contribute to stronger communities and brighter futures for First Nations students.
We thank Kelmscott Senior High School, Tryse Rioli and everyone involved in bringing this pilot program to life and look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on students and the wider community.
The program provides regular didgeridoo lessons delivered by respected cultural engagement facilitator Tryse Rioli.
About the Bandum Fund
The Bandum Fund is SCSi’s community investment initiative, established to support First Nations people through education, culture, sport, leadership and personal development.
Funded through a portion of SCSi’s business activities, the Bandum Fund partners with schools, community organisations and other initiatives that create lasting opportunities and positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Let's create opportunities together
Every procurement decision has the potential to create benefits that extend beyond the workplace.
By choosing SCSi as your Aboriginal-owned commercial cleaning and integrated facilities services partner, you’re supporting more than a high-performing service provider. A portion of our success is reinvested through the Bandum Fund to help create opportunities for First Nations people through education, culture, leadership and community development.
The best ideas often come from the communities that know where support is needed most.
If you’re involved in a school, community organisation, sporting club or cultural initiative that could benefit from the Bandum Fund, we’d welcome the opportunity to have a conversation. We’re looking for practical projects that strengthen education, celebrate culture, develop leadership and create opportunities for First Nations people. Sometimes a relatively small investment can make a lasting difference.
Whether you’re looking for a trusted Indigenous business partner or would like to discuss a community initiative that aligns with the Bandum Fund, we’d love to hear from you.
Scott McCartney
Co-founder / Director, SCS Indigenous
M 0424 944 366
E [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Bandum Fund support Aboriginal communities?
The Bandum Fund reinvests a portion of SCSi’s revenue into initiatives that support First Nations people through education, culture, leadership, sport and personal development. The aim is to remove barriers and create opportunities that have a lasting community impact.
Why did SCSi support the Kelmscott Senior High School Didgeridoo Program?
The Didgeridoo Program aligns with the Bandum Fund’s focus on supporting education and cultural connection. By helping Aboriginal students strengthen their connection to culture, the program encourages confidence, wellbeing and engagement with school.
What services does SCSi provide?
SCSi is a national Aboriginal-owned provider of commercial cleaning and integrated facilities services. We work with organisations across Australia to deliver reliable cleaning solutions while creating positive outcomes for First Nations communities through initiatives like the Bandum Fund.
How can my organisation support initiatives like the Bandum Fund?
The simplest way is to partner with SCSi. By choosing an Aboriginal-owned commercial cleaning provider, your organisation receives high-quality cleaning and facilities services while helping support community initiatives that invest in education, culture and future opportunities for First Nations people.
