Powering a brighter future for remote Aboriginal communities

High voltage electric transmission towers silhouetted against a blue sky and rising sun.

Image: yelantsevv / Adobe Stock.

Image: yelantsevv / Adobe Stock.

Without reliable electricity, remote Aboriginal communities will struggle to access clean water, health care and telecommunications. This prevents communities from thriving and hinders economic development.

Chris Croker (Bachelor of Engineering ’93) is the Managing Director of Impact Investment Partners and a proud Luritja man. Chris was born in Darwin and spent much of his formative years with family in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and the desert communities around Watarrka (Kings Canyon) and Uluru.

After studying at UQ in the mid-1990s, Chris was recognised as the first Aboriginal person to graduate with a Mining Engineering degree. Chris was also one of the first Aboriginal men to complete an MBA at Melbourne Business School.

Following the completion of his Mining Engineering degree, Chris worked as a mine manager for many large mining companies across the NT and WA. Chris's progression through the ranks of the mining industry as a senior executive meant that he was able to develop and implement Indigenous training and employment initiatives in many towns and communities.

Chris directly employed thousands of Indigenous workers and prides himself on adapting standard training and employment practices to better suit operational, cultural and family needs.

After completing his MBA at Melbourne Business School, Chris worked as a business consultant with global business strategy firm Boston Consulting Group for many years. These experiences led to Chris founding Impact Investment Partners to combat core challenges affecting Indigenous communities.

UQ graduate Chris Croker, Managing Director at Impact Investment Partners Pty Ltd.

As a result of energy security challenges, the community is affected in many ways: the local store cannot offer fresh foods, residents cannot keep medicines in their fridge, and schools do not have sufficient electricity to provide lighting and air conditioning. Life in these communities becomes increasingly difficult without the most basic of needs being met.

Impact Investment Partners works alongside community organisations to address some of these challenges.

Impact Investment Partners have a unique understanding of Aboriginal communities' needs thanks to Chris's deep community connections and cultural understanding of the adversity and challenges. As a result, they place “community need” at the heart of all their investment projects.

Chris Croker standing with his arms crossed, looking at the camera.

UQ graduate Chris Croker, Managing Director at Impact Investment Partners Pty Ltd.

UQ graduate Chris Croker, Managing Director at Impact Investment Partners Pty Ltd.

Chris is also leading several exciting solar projects in partnership with Aboriginal communities in the NT and WA, which will ultimately ensure energy security for all who live there.

At Ltyentye Apurte (pronounced Ginger Porter) to the south of Alice Springs, Impact Investment Partners have supported the local community organisation – Atyenhenge Atherre Aboriginal Corporation (AAAC), to complete a full feasibility on alternate electricity supply solutions and are now into due diligence to assist AAAC to have the initiative fully financed.

“At Ltyentye Apurte, we are working alongside the community to replace their electricity supply. From 2020 to 2021, they had over 20 electricity outages. I’m a big believer in getting the best education for our children, but how can we expect provide children with the best start in life or to go to school with the lights and fans going off constantly?”

Impact Investment Partners are also working with the Mutitjulu community at Uluru (NT), and are now in discussions with community and government about what options will work the best for all groups. Impact are also working with an Aboriginal community in the Pilbara (WA) on a solar project on Aboriginal community land.

“With Aboriginal shareholding and participation, that will supply electricity at a competitive price to the state electricity network, major benefits for community can be realised,” said Chris.

Impact Investment Partners are also working with Original Power, a not-for-profit organisation, to look at energy supply to the Borroloola community in the Top End. Coupled with that feasibility study, they are also looking at the energy supply and affordability for up to 25 outstations that are not part of the main town.

Image: rost9 / Adobe Stock.

Photovoltaic solar panels, with reflection of a blue sky.

In his youth, Chris recalls travelling to Brisbane for a university induction, networking and socialisation program with Indigenous students from across Australia, before deciding on UQ for his initial degree.

While at UQ, he also gained valued support from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit (ATSIS Unit) to help settle in and forge bonds.

Even now, the network of students he met from places as far-flung as Palm Island, the Torres Strait and Cherbourg is proving a boon in his line of work.

Chris juggles his goal of addressing Indigenous infrastructure disparity alongside many related commitments, including director roles at Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA), CASSE Australia and Australian Community Foundation.

DKA is the NT Government’s research and innovation hub, working to ensure desert communities are sustainable. Chris is also the Chair of CASSE, a not-for-profit working alongside Aboriginal Elders and Ngangkari (traditional medicine men) to provide cultural and mental health support for Aboriginal men, youth and communities in the central desert region.

“One of CASSE's programs supports youths in detention. This is very challenging as these kids have faced significant trauma their whole lives and are faced with every single disadvantage imaginable. If they don't have a way forward, they spiral down, down and down.”

Chris is also on the steering committee for the First Nations Clean Energy Network, which strives for the energy industry to work alongside Aboriginal communities for shared benefit. The First Nations Clean Energy Network wants to ensure that communities can be active participants in Australia's clean energy future and overcome the energy security roadblock to achieve economic advancement.

Chris notes that Impact Investment Partners combines his Indigenous social knowledge with his engineering knowledge of 'building real assets' and his business strategy skills. 

Impact Investment Partners Infrastructure Investment Fund provides the first opportunity of its kind in Australia. The fund presents an opportunity to address some of the significant barriers faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, by providing a way to utilise the capital of people or organisations that are already interested in addressing social issues.

Chris feels that the dream has no limits.

“Imagine an Indigenous-owned school or university that actively teaches bilingual programs and places fundamental importance on sharing Indigenous knowledge and culture with all students – Indigenous or not … One where the majority of teachers or lecturers are Indigenous, where the support staff and the support businesses are Indigenous.”

While the dream may be a long way off, by starting with the ‘easy’ assets – electricity, water and health infrastructure – Chris feels that the Indigenous Impact Investment Fund can begin to make an impact, while still providing financial returns for Indigenous and non-Indigenous investors.