Ventia General Manager, Indigenous Participation, Byron Davis has been recognised as a Northern Territory state finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards, recognising a career dedicated to creating opportunities and improving outcomes for First Nations people.  

For more than 30 years, Byron Davis has worked across justice, education, human rights, disability advocacy, business, community sport and corporate leadership. Throughout that diverse career, one goal has remained constant: creating opportunities and changing systems so First Nations people can thrive.

A Kalkadoon Wannyi man, Byron's commitment has been shaped by both lived experience and professional expertise. From his early career working with young First Nations people in the juvenile justice system, through to education, training, advocacy and employment, his work has focused on addressing systemic barriers and creating more sustainable pathways to opportunity.

Creating change at Ventia

Byron joined Ventia in 2015 as Indigenous Employment Coordinator. Today, as General Manager, Indigenous Participation, he leads Ventia's work to increase Indigenous participation and create lasting employment outcomes for First Nations people, their families and communities.

A major part of that work has been the establishment of Ventia's TRECCA team in 2022. TRECCA, which stands for Training, Recruitment, Employment, Care and Career Advancement, is focused on removing barriers to employment and providing culturally informed support to help First Nations employees build sustainable careers.

Initiatives led by Byron include Ventia's Deadly Network, a culturally safe peer network connecting First Nations employees with support and mentorship, and the Transition to Work Program, which prepares First Nations jobseekers for employment through skills development, work experience and ongoing support. The program has seen more than 70 per cent of graduates accept full-time or seasonal roles, while Indigenous workforce participation across Ventia has more than doubled since Byron joined the organisation in 2015.

Byron has also developed a Trauma Informed Care Model for workplaces, an approach he formalised through his published research, Creating culturally responsive and safe workplaces for the advancement of First Nations people. His work encourages organisations to recognise the impact of trauma and consider personal welfare, cultural safety and organisational behaviours when supporting First Nations employees.

Congratulations Byron on this well-deserved recognition.