About

WHO WE ARE

City Indigenous Group is an Aboriginal owned business committed to investing in a sustainable future for Australia’s First Peoples. We are established to ensure that every Australian has an equal opportunity to achieve and succeed.

As part of today’s rapidly evolving Indigenous business sector, City Indigenous Group is passionate about leading reconciliation initiatives that promote indigenous employment, ensuring staff receive the best possible training and mentorship to excel in their roles.

City Indigenous Group was formed by David Fernando, a descendant of the Gamilaroi tribe of Northern New South Wales and Mike Bell, a descendant of the Birpai tribe of the Camden Haven region of New South Wales. Our company is strongly orientated to contribute to the reconciliation movement, driving indigenous engagement opportunities and promoting supplier diversity values.

Our shared vision centres on becoming one of the largest Indigenous employers in the facilities sector, offering an improved quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the country.

In addition to direct employment opportunities, we are also proud to have partnered with several related Indigenous supply businesses, to maximise benefit to the wider community.

In our own way we hope our resolute commitment and the wider contributions of our company will represent positive momentum in helping to heal the divisions that exist within our society.

DAVID FERNANDO: Co-Managing Director

David Fernando is a first nations descendant of the Gamilaroi people of Northern Nsw my ties with Indigenous communities throughout NSW is quiet extensive and has close connections to the Gamilaroi, Yuwalaraay, Ngarabul, Dunghutti and Bundjalung mob and in particular the Gadigal clan.  David has also connections in other states as well.  David has engaged with his people throughout his whole life, and has worked in Redfern at Aboriginal Children’s Service as a field officer briefing Aboriginal Legal Service Solicitors as a para- legal.  Prior to that my first job was with a government department as a clerical assistant with PMG Workshops at Sydenham then onto Customs at Mascot Airport.

For the past 40 years he was in Project Management working in NSW local aboriginal land councils as programmes manager in the Community Development Employment Project & David had various jobs of similar nature in Kempsey on the Mid North Coast amongst the Dunghutti People.  David also engaged within the community supporting as an administrator for local sporting groups & socialising in “well-being” programs for some time now & always strived for better opportunities and equality for indigenous people.  Recently, David I has joined forces with City Indigenous as Director/Ambassador to get better outcomes especially in the employment field in the hope of better outcomes for the future of his people.

MIKE BELL: Co-Managing Director

Mike Bell has spent most of his career developing investment banking opportunities in Australia, Europe, and Asia, including Bank of America, Citibank, Barclays, Macquarie Bank, and Banque Indosuez.  This has included roles as treasurer and head of financial markets in Sydney and Singapore.

Mike has developed several international products, including the 30-day Fed Funds contract which trades on the CME Group Exchanges in the US.  Mike’s focus for the last 20 years has been on developing businesses that result in environmental and ethical change.  This included developing climate change derivatives as Global Head of Environmental Products at Prebon Energy in London.

Mike’s grandfather is from the Birpai mob in Camden Haven.  Mike’s great-grandmother, Granny Bell, was the nurse and midwife for the Indigenous community in the Camden Haven area.

For the last two years’ Mike has supported the City Indigenous Group in developing facilities management services.  This has involved working closely with some of Australia’s leading property management groups.

ADAM ANGYALFFY: Group Executive Manager

Adam Angyalffy has been the City Clean NSW Managing Director for 20 years and has personally seen the growth of operations since company inception in 2003.  Adam takes an active part in all aspects of the business as the senior point of contact for all customers.

Adam is dedicated to making effective use of his skills and experience to ensure that customers are fully satisfied with the services provided. He understands that no project is identical, and therefore goes above and beyond to tailor all services to meet client expectations.

RICHARD LEWIS: Operations Manager

Richard is true leader in his field, Richard brings a wealth of experience and expertise to ensure the company’s services run smoothly and efficiently. He has had a long career as an Operation Manager, both here and overseas. He is responsible for overseeing a team of highly trained professionals, ensuring that they deliver top-notch services to a diverse portfolio of clients, including office buildings, defence department facilities, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and more.  Richard has overseen operations for major international facility managers such as Eurest Support Services (ESS) and Brookfields (“BGIS”) and being responsible for managing large groups of people and projects.

Richard is also an advocate for indigenous employee development, fostering a supportive work environment where his team can thrive. He is responsible for managing ongoing training and encourages professional growth, ensuring that our staff are skilled, motivated, and dedicated to their work.

MICHAEL KON: Business Development Manager

Michael Kon is a seasoned professional with a diverse background spanning over three decades, marked by a trajectory of leadership roles across various industries. In the early 90s, he honed his skills at the Eastern Suburbs Roosters Club. Michael’s thirst for knowledge led him to pursue studies in financial planning while working at Saxby Bridge Finance and Zurich Insurance. A pivotal moment in his career came when he was appointed Managing City Gym East Sydney, hailed as Australia’s most iconic gym. Here, he embraced the inclusive ethos of the establishment, under the mentorship of Bill Moore, the gym’s founder. His leadership during the Sydney 2000 Olympics solidified his reputation as a capable and visionary manager. Michael’s involvement with the Athens Olympic Committee and the 2004 Paralympics Torch Relay operations planning logistics team was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Drawing on his experience, he ventured into international healthcare as Operations Manager/Insurance Officer at SOS Medical Assistance Services, working across several Greek islands. Returning to Australia, Michael embarked on a journey in cleaning and facilities management, overseeing operations in a range of settings, from nightlife venues in Sydney’s CBD to government institutions and prestigious landmarks like the Opera House and university campuses.

Michael has joined City Indigenous Group and will work on business development and relationships to assist in creating employment opportunities.

HOW DO WE DO IT?

• Extensive experience in the construction and commercial cleaning industry;
• Wide range of property maintenance services;
• Understanding and tailoring to the expectations of each individual property requirement;
• Cost efficiency whist maintaining quality results;
• Careful selection of environmentally friendly products and chemicals;
• Competent, experienced, and trustworthy staff;
• Complete attention to all Occupation Health & Safety standards;
• Full compliance and adherence to all award condition; and
• Passion in social responsibility.

RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTOR ETHICS

City Indigenous Group confirms that all pricing that will be provided as part of this or any tender will be derived following the Modern Award and Fair Work requirements. We do not use subcontractors for the delivery of services. All our staff are employees and are all employed under the Modern Cleaning Award and are offered the full spectrum of entitlements that this award offers. All of our future pricing reflects this and allows us to run the contract to meet all legal responsibilities and award payments affording all our customers and partners the comfort of knowing that their brand is protected by our stringent controls in running our business under the Modern Cleaning Award.

City Indigenous Group supports Fair Work Ombudsman in its efforts to ensure that Australian workplaces are compliant, productive and inclusive. In line with other Government initiatives, our vision is that the community values the work that we do. As per the Fair Work Act 2009, City Indigenous Group strives to:

• Promote harmonious, productive and cooperative workplace relations;
• Honour ALL staff pay to Modern Cleaning Award rates;
• Ensure compliance with Australian workplace laws; and
• Monitor 417 and 457 subclass visa arrangements.

To be an effective and efficient employer City Indigenous Group remains responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of the Australian Government and the communities we operate in. We proactively support employment participation through addressing the barriers to employment and ensuring we do right by all our employees in terms of their legal rights to pay, opportunity and well-being.

To make a difference we:

• Provide practical advice to all employees that is easy to understand and apply;
• Encourage and empower employees to resolve issues in their workplace, (facilitating collaboration and leveraging best practice);
• Build a culture of compliance with workplace laws; and
• Be a high performing, capable and responsive business that delivers exceptional customer service, aligned to the strategic values of our Clients.

City Indigenous Group remains dedicated to staying up to date with all Government employment principals and dictates, particularly as they relate to pay. We note for example that an employee’s minimum pay rate can come from an award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement or the national minimum wage.