LMBA Spotlight:
Multhana            

3 JUNE 2022

‘Multhana’ means ‘coming together to help each other’ in the Kalkadoon language, and perfectly sums up Managing Director Joseph Wallace’s approach to the business.

Multhana Property Services is an Indigenous-owned property services company providing commercial cleaning, landscaping, and maintenance services across Southeast Queensland.

As a Jirrabal and Juru man, Joey’s passion for creating positive outcomes for the Indigenous community stems from his experience growing up as an Indigenous man in Far North Queensland. Starting his career in Indigenous affairs at the Ingham Centrelink, Joseph went on to work in Indigenous social policy and governance at all levels of government as well as in the private sector, before founding Multhana Property Services.

For Joseph, “it’s all about giving people an opportunity to get their foot in the door.” Multhana’s services are grounded in industries with low barriers to entry and high career prospects so that anyone can start, regardless of previous education or experience.

Multhana was recognised as a finalist in the Social Enterprise category for the 2021 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards (LMBAs).

Joseph recalls the excitement of the whole process and the opportunities it opened for building connections with Brisbane’s commercial sector. “It has been phenomenal. It’s really put a spotlight Indigenous employment and how businesses can use their strengths to drive reconciliation.” 

Multhana partner with organisations committed to increasing Indigenous participation within their business, and have worked on many high-profile infrastructure and urban development projects such as the Brisbane Metro, Ferny Grove Central and Cross River Rail.

One of their most well-known contracts is the disinfection cleaning for Brisbane City Council buses, where over 1200 buses are thoroughly sanitised and misted every night across 7 depots.

“I can't talk highly enough of the Brisbane City Council. They are one of the few councils in Queensland who are driving Indigenous and social procurement, which is great,” says Joseph.

Joseph says his vision is to have Multhana’s cleaning division clean at the 2032 Olympics.

“It’s a long way off but that’s my vision and what I am aiming towards.”

Wallace proudly talks about the life changing aspect of having the opportunity to work.

“It helps their [employees] mental health and self-esteem, and enables them to make options to enrich their life. Whether it’s upskilling and advancing their career, or simply upgrading their vehicle or taking a holiday, or going back to study – it has a huge ripple effect that can’t be measured by financial stability alone.

Visit www.multhana.com.au for more information.

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