About First People's Energy
First Peoples Energy is a majority Indigenous owned company.
The founders of First Peoples Energy share a common goal of breaking the cycle of poverty in Indigenous Australia and see the growth in demand for Indigenous businesses as the most sustainable way to achieve this goal.
We work with Government, commercial and industrial clients to provide cost effective and renewable energy solutions.
All of our suppliers are Australian Indigenous businesses. Our Board and Shareholders are majority Indigenous. Our current employees are Indigenous and our future employees will be Indigenous. We are driving real and sustainable change.
And it starts here.
Background
First Peoples Energy was established in 2023 with the aim of providing sustainable and affordable energy solutions primarily to Local, State and Federal Government clients. In so doing, we empower Indigenous communities by generating employment opportunities, wealth creation and economic independence.
First Peoples Energy was founded by a team of Indigenous and business leaders who recognise the need to create Indigenous economic opportunities, build resilient Indigenous communities, and contribute to the nation’s journey towards reconciliation and decarbonisation.
Board of Directors
Michael McLeod
Non-Executive Chairman
- A Ngarrindjeri Monaro man from Southern NSW
- Michael and his family are part of Australia’s stolen generations. At the age of two, Michael and his siblings were taken from their parents – never to be reunited as a family.
- Michael McLeod has been described by a senior Federal politician as one of Australia’s most valuable sons
- Chair and co-founder of Message Stick Group
- Founder and Director of Supply Nation, which is Australia’s premier business-to-business membership body and the Australian leader in supplier diversity
Nova Peris OAM OLY MAICD
Managing Director
- Nova Peris is a descendant of the Gija people of the East Kimberley and the Yawuru people of the West Kimberley; the Gagudju people of West Arnhem Land.
- First Aboriginal Olympic Gold Medalist for Australia in 1996 at the Atlanta Olympics with the Hockeyroos
- Young Australian of the Year 1997
- 2 X Gold Medal recipient at the Commonwealth Games in 1998
- Olympic torch bearer and athlete in the 2000 Olympics
- Aboriginal affairs / activist and public speaker
- 2013 First Aboriginal Woman elected to Federal Parliament as a Senator for the Northern Territory
- 2020 Founded the Nova Peris Foundation
- 2021 Was honoured with a 2.6m Bronze Statue Unveiled In Fed Square, Melbourne.
- 2023 Inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame in the dual sports category
Laurie Daley AM
Non-Executive Director
- A rugby league superstar, Laurie was the dominant five-eighth at club, Origin and Test level throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
- Laurie played 34 matches for the Kangaroos, captaining Australia 6 times.
- Laurie was ranked one of greatest ever rugby league players in 1997.
- Laurie played 244 first grade games and three premierships with the Canberra Raiders.
- Laurie was the NSW State of Origin coach and ambassador to various brands in Australia.
- Laurie co-hosts the morning breakfast show – The Big Sports Breakfast – on Radio Station 2KY and is a highly successful keynote speaker
Johnathan Thurston AM
Non-Executive Director
- Gungarri Man from South West Queensland
- Rugby league superstar that played at the club, national and
international level. - Johnathan captained North Queensland Cowboys and the
Indigenous All Stars and has been named in the Indigenous Team
of the Century. - Won four Dally M Medals – the NRL’s most prestigious individual
honour as well as the Clive Churchill Medal. - As the Daily Telegraph summed up: “Goodbye JT. After 294 games
for the Cowboys, 29 for Canterbury, 38 Tests, 37 State of Origin
matches, two premierships, four Dally M Medals and 2222 career
points, the champ has left the building.” - Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2023 as an
Athlete Member for his contribution to the sport of rugby league. - Off the field, Johnathan works with disadvantaged communities
and youth. - Johnathan is an Ambassador for the Queensland Reconciliation
Awards and for the Apunipima Cape York Health Council’s anti-ice
campaign.
Dean Rioli
Non-Executive Director
- Tiwi Man
- one of Essendon’s most celebrated Indigenous players, playing 100 games for the Bombers between 1999 and 2006
- Following his AFL career, Dean spent 15 years supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in to meaningful employment
- Dean is a former director of Essendon Football Club, Deputy Chair for Bridging the Gap Foundation, on the Board for Melbourne Indigenous Transition School.
- Dean is the former chair of the First Nations Advisory Council and a member of the People & Remuneration Committee for Essendon Football Club.
- Dean owns his own business, Bunji Hire, offering a range of plant and equipment to clients across Australia
Kevin Kalinko
Non-Executive Director
- Kevin has a background in senior management roles in ASX 100 and ASX 200 listed companies and in private equity. Kevin owns and manages a portfolio of companies spanning the energy, education, sport and property services sectors.
- Kevin is also a director of several not-for-profit and philanthropic organisations.
Gavin Karro
Non-Executive Director
- Gavin is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and has worked in senior management roles in the IT and communications industries in Australia, Europe and Asia
- Gavin has spent the past 18+ years working in the Indigenous business sector
- Part of the founding team of Supply Nation
