i24s Group (i24s) (the Group), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Angela Kickett, has been selected as a Finalist for the ‘Individual Change Maker Award’, in the Chamber of Commerce & Industry WA’s – 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Awards.

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Under Angela’s leadership, the Return to Country (RTC) Program (Program) has scaled significantly into an Aboriginal-led, culturally safe Program supporting Aboriginal people who are sleeping rough and want to re-establish ties with family, community and Country. 

Implemented by i24s’ Cultural Response Team of which 80% identify as Aboriginal, the Program embeds trauma-informed care, gender-appropriate engagement and Elder-guided practices, with real-time service coordination. 
In the first half of 2025, the Program supported more than 100 safe returns to Country – which is a substantial increase year-on-year. The Program has helped more than 180 highly vulnerable clients to reconnect with kin and culture, and included in this cohort is a rising number of women and children.

Angela says, “This recognition belongs to our clients, Elders and the families that our clients are reunited with. It is a great achievement for our wonderful Cultural Response Team, which is led by Mark Spina. RTC is about dignity, choice and cultural healing. When we put cultural safety at the centre and listen deeply, we create safe pathways home and stronger futures.” 

Through rigorous cultural leadership and collaboration with other community services’ providers, i24s has helped to reunite clients with their communities in Broome, Karratha, Port Hedland, Newman, Halls Creek, Geraldton, Derby, Port Augusta, Fitzroy Crossing, Alice Springs, Darwin and Whyalla.

“Recognition also belongs to the Department of Communities, Office of Homelessness for engaging us to further develop the Program. To everyone who is walking on this journey with us, thank you for your valued contribution. I’m looking forward to working with you to expand i24s’ Outreach & Advocacy services and to providing an increased level of support for the homeless community.”

In 2021, the WA Government launched HEART (Homeless Engagement, Assessment Response Team) to support the increasing prevalence of people experiencing homelessness and sleeping rough, across Perth. One of the HEART initiatives that is funded by the WA Government, is the RTC Program. In early 2024, i24s was engaged to further develop the Program and since then, the Aboriginal inclusion outcomes have been extraordinarily positive.
 

In respect of diversity, Angela says, “The true test of inclusion isn’t a Policy, it’s about ensuring everyone feels safe to speak, to lead and to be empowered. That’s my ethos in life and business. I’m humbled by the opportunity to support those less fortunate than me, and I’m excited about what else can be achieved with Mark and our Cultural Response Team.”

Winners of the 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Awards will be announced at a gala event at Crown Perth, on 7 November 2025.
 

​Click here to learn more about i24s' Outreach capabilities and/or call Mark and his team on +61 8 9209 2090.​​​​