The UNSW First Nations Engineering and Science Society (FNESS) team proudly took the win at Bindila, an Indigenous Business Residential Exchange Competition held biannually hosted by the UNSW Business School.
Bindila is a week-long program that brings together Indigenous university students, entrepreneurs, and cultural mentors from across Australia and beyond for an immersive experience of learning, collaboration, and connection.
During Bindila 2025, teams collaborated on real-world business cases, exploring new approaches for a mobile app for the Koori Knockout - an annual Aboriginal rugby league competition and one of Australia's largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural gatherings. The Koori Knockout app was created by Mitchell Ross and Brad Cooke, and allows users to follow the tournament from their mobiles.
Throughout the week, students participated in cultural experiences on Country, providing opportunities to spend time with community leaders, deepen their understanding of local culture, and hear knowledge and expertise from Indigenous entrepreneurs.
The UNSW FNESS team, comprised of Harry Brotherhood, Casey Dykes, Alex Cramp, and Claire Weis, developed a business solution that combined their engineering expertise with innovation. Their project included a redesign of the app featuring a working prototype, accessibility improvements, youth-led solutions, and strong, cohesive teamwork.
President of FNESS and UNSW Aerospace Engineering Student Harry Brotherhood said, "The value of the experience really comes down to three main parts — the embedded cultural experiences, the focus on personal and professional development, and the chance to deliver a project at the end of the program.
"Bindila means a lot to me because when I first took part in 2023, it was where we saw the impact of the UNSW First Nations Business Society, which inspired the creation of FNESS. Coming back this year, winning, and bringing along the members who’ve joined since — in the same space where the idea for FNESS first began — is something really special."
"It shows how powerful these opportunities can be in creating lasting connections, growing together, and succeeding together.”
While FNESS took out the top spot, the week ultimately served as a celebration of community, collaboration, and shared learning, showcasing the creativity and innovation of all teams involved.
The Bindila program aligns with Indigenous Business Month, a national celebration showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-determination.
Congratulations to the FNESS team and everyone who participated in Bindila 2025, a powerful gathering of Indigenous excellence in business.