Message Stick Communications

Message Stick's customers include Citigroup, Macquarie Bank, UBS, Investec, Westpac, Accor Hotels, QBE, Insurance Australia Group, Harvey Norman, Seek, MBF, South Sydney Rabbitohs, World Vision and CSIRO. Michael is particularly proud of his numerous NSW state Government customers who include Premiers & Cabinet, the NSW Police and Education and Training.

Message Stick is a unique business in that it is owned by Aboriginal Australians. The company was started five years ago to show that Aboriginal Australians can own and manage a services business that engages with large corporations and Government agencies. The business does not seek any sponsorship, donations or social grants whatsoever. They seek only the opportunity to prove themselves and to be treated as worthy business partners.

The principals of Message Stick believe that business ownership, asset ownership, wealth creation and personal accountability are the key features of the task of ending poverty and welfare dependency of Indigenous Australians. Most Indigenous Australians who have a dream to own their own business would not have the confidence to approach corporate Australia and ask for business opportunities. Michael McLeod and his Message Stick business model are trying to show that corporate Australia will give Aboriginal business a fair hearing.

Message Stick is also working closely with the Federal Government, the Chamber and the Business Council of Australia to change Government policy approach to Indigenous Australians – with significant success. The Government is now shifting from a complete welfare and subsidy based focus to developing policies around supporting real economic development, including business ownership and entrepreneurialism.

Indigenous Australia Engaging Australian Business