Komatsu and Clontarf partnership celebrated through Indigenous artwork

Komatsu Australia has partnered with Noongar and Yamatji man Jermaine Miller-Lewis to create a new Indigenous artwork which features on a newly released polo shirt for employees.

Jermaine, based in Perth, was part of the Clontarf Foundation during his teenage years. The not-for-profit organisation supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men through education, mentoring and employment pathways. Komatsu Australia has partnered with Clontarf over the past six years, supporting the foundation with mentoring and career opportunities, work experience, mock interviews and funding to help empower indigenous students to achieve their potential. This year also marks the renewal of the partnership for another three years.

Jermaine’s artwork is called Koorl Boodja, meaning Moving on Country, and it reflects Komatsu’s people, workplaces and global footprint, while recognising the importance of learning, connection and walking forward together.

Jermaine says the opportunity to design the artwork came through his long-standing relationship with the foundation.

“I’ve been practising art since I was a teenager, but over the past few years I’ve started pursuing it more professionally and moved from canvas work into digital design. Then Clontarf Foundation reached out and said there was an opportunity to work with Komatsu on a special artwork celebrating both the partnership and Komatsu’s connection to Country,” he says.

As part of the design process, Jermaine visited Komatsu’s Welshpool facility, where he learned more about the company’s history, people and machinery.

The final artwork incorporates earthy ochre tones to represent the land and Country, while green shapes symbolise Komatsu’s beginnings in a pine forest in Japan and its growth into a global organisation.

“At the centre of the artwork sits Komatsu as the main meeting place, with travelling lines extending outwards to represent Komatsu locations across Australia and around the world,” Jermaine says.

“It shows people from different places coming together to work and learn as one, while the meeting places and travelling lines represent communities, workers, customers and families and the importance of connection and shared knowledge.”

Zara Carey, General Manager – People Experience, from Komatsu Australia says the collaboration highlights the impact long-term partnerships like Clontarf can have on young people and their future pathways.

“Jermaine’s journey is a great example of the confidence, skills and opportunities programs like Clontarf can help create and we’re proud to be able to showcase his artwork across our business on our uniforms,” Zara says.

“Renewing our partnership for another three years reflects the importance of continuing that support and building long-term connections with young people entering our industry. For Komatsu, partnerships like this are an important part of building a more inclusive industry and ensuring young people can see real opportunities and representation within it.”

Nick Jenkins, General Manager – Partnerships & Communications from Clontarf Foundation says the long-term partnership with Komatsu and Clontarf has made a great impact on many of their boys across the country.

“The commitment shown by Komatsu staff throughout the boys’ journeys has been consistently evident, and their ongoing support continues to reflect the strong values and genuine investment that Komatsu brings to the partnership. We are proud to partner with Komatsu and look forward to continuing this journey together into the future,” Nick says.