Indigenous-owned Barna Construction (WA) Pty Ltd has been named Best Aboriginal Contractor at the Department of Housing and Works Western Australia - Buildings and Contracts Supplier Performance Awards - a powerful recognition of consistency, trust and the quiet, disciplined work that happens long before any ceremony.
Held at the state-of-the-art Sam Kerr Football Centre, the annual awards celebrate businesses that deliver exceptional service and value on Western Australian Government non-residential building projects. Contractors are assessed against formal performance reports and must not have received any demerits in the past year, making this recognition a true measure of sustained excellence.
For Barna, the win carried deep meaning. Project Director Josh Stork said the recognition was felt across the entire team.
"Personally, it is almost a sense of relief, not just for me but for the entire team at Barna, we are a small close nit team that have been working together for many years even longer than Barna has been in existence," he said.
"I work actively within the business on the front line with the team to ensure we keep the highest of standards and quality at all times and after many years together the entire team now carries these values. It makes me proud of what we have created and excited that what we do and the effort we put into this business is recognised by such a large and professional organisation such as the WA government."
That culture of consistency is something Mr Stork says is central to Barna's success.
"The way we maintain such a strong standard is we have a one in all in approach, all of the team understand what Barna's acceptable level of standard is, there is not one member of the team that is afraid to roll up their sleeves when required. We understand from client feedback that is what sets us apart from our competitors and that's what drives us to work harder and improve our standards all the time."
He was also quick to acknowledge the role of Construction Manager Stuart Sadgrove.
"Special recognition has to also be given to our Construction Manager Stuart Sadgrove, his level of knowledge and experience in the construction industry is a key pillar of our success," Mr Stork said.
Barna has delivered projects across education, transport and emergency services, including the Leeming Senior High School STEM facility, Beverley District High School science laboratory and home economics upgrade, the MRWA Northam Depot washdown bay, Brookton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service facilities and Belmont Community College STEM EC21. Education projects, in particular, stand out.
"Our education projects are always a standout to us; we truly love delivering amazing outcomes for students and the greater school communities. We have delivered a number of STEM classrooms across different schools now and it is exciting that we are able to put in place the infrastructure for school aged children to grow and learn their knowledge of Science and Technology."
Mr Stork also reflected on the role of government procurement in Barna's journey.
"The governments procurement systems are what has allowed Barna to grow into what it is today, it is quite simple, without the state governments Indigenous Procurement Policy Barna could not have grown in the way that it has. I am forever grateful for the impact the WA government has made on Barna as we grow the level of support is still amazing which allows us to get bigger and bigger."
Barna's vision is firmly rooted in legacy.
"Looking ahead we want to grow to be one of the builders that is remembered well into the future, something our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren can be proud to be connected to. We see ourselves as one big family, not just our employees but our contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers as well we want our legacy to live on in the WA construction industry well into the future."
The ceremony's location in Queens Park added another layer of meaning. Less than a kilometre away sits the former Sister Kate's Home for Aboriginal Children, where Mr Stork's grandmother was sent as a toddler after being taken from her family. To see an Indigenous business celebrated for excellence so close to that site is deeply powerful.
Barna Construction's achievement deserves celebration. It represents leadership, resilience and the strength of Indigenous businesses shaping a stronger, more inclusive Western Australia.
