Here at Big River we are very proud to celebrate the achievements, strength, and resilience of the incredible women across our company, industry, families, and communities.

A special thank you to the dedicated and hardworking women across our sites.

The 2026 International Women’s Day theme – ‘Give to Gain’ – reminds us that when we give our support, time, knowledge, and opportunities, we help create a stronger and more equal future.

Together, let’s continue to support, uplift, and invest in women across our workplaces and communities.

Earlier this month, Big River Group – Albion Park proudly supported the 4th Annual Kiama Beach Oztag Tournament at Kendalls Beach, attracting over 3,000 attendees, including players, local businesses, and supporters.

The team was thrilled to be part of such a successful event that provided an excellent opportunity for the local community to unite and celebrate this fantastic occasion.

Tournament Director, Keiron Duncan, was delighted with the turnout. “We had 71 teams from across the state, including Canberra, Sydney, the Inner West, Sutherland, and Cronulla, all competing for over $20,000 in cash and prizes,” he said. Via ‘The Bugle’

The Big River team was on hand, distributing hats, stubby coolers, pencils, and engaging with the community. The bucket hats being a crowd favourite. By the end of the day, Big River bucket hats were seen everywhere!

Additionally, the team gave away a wheelbarrow filled with over $1,200 worth of products. The lucky winner, Eli from EDM Building, a long-time customer of the Albion Park site, walked away with the fantastic prize.

All raffle proceeds were donated to the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation, and we would like to thank everyone who participated in supporting this worthy cause.

A memorable highlight of the event was the NRL Legends game, featuring players like James Maloney & Dale Finucane, who faced off against the Kiama Australian All-Stars team, made up of top Oztag representatives from the Kiama Association.

Branch Manager Luke had the honour of presenting the ‘Men’s Over 35’ trophy and prize cheque to the winning team, the ‘South Coast Skylights.’

“All in all, it was a fantastic event, made even better by giving back to the local community. The proceeds raised on the day were matched dollar for dollar by the Oztag committee. I look forward to an even bigger and better event next year. A special thanks to the BRG personnel who gave up their Saturday to be part of the event; you are greatly appreciated,” said Albion Park Manager Luke Armstrong.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Duncan emphasised, “This event would not be possible without the incredible support from Kiama’s local businesses, our major sponsor Harrigan Ford, Big River Group, Kiama Leagues Club, Kiama Council, and Australian Oztag.” Via ‘The Bugle’

Congratulations to all the winners, and a special thank you to the event organizers for putting on such an outstanding day!

To read more about the event, visit ‘The Bugle’.

Australia’s leading timber expert, Big River Group, is supporting non-for-profit organisation, Toys Change Lives (TCL), via its industry partnership with the Clarence Correctional Centre’s Indigenous inmates program run by Serco.

The partnership forms part of its wider engagement with NSW Correctional Service Industries (CSI), which Big River Group has been supporting for 15 years on a range of timber production initiatives.

TCL is a workshop and community re-entry program for Indigenous youth post-release from juvenile detention. Big River Group supplies plywood to the program through the Clarence Correctional Centre, which is then made into toy components and assembled and painted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates. The program is dedicated to breaking the cycle of Indigenous youth recidivism by creating employment opportunities within their workshop. TCL is staffed by Indigenous youth and mentors, and inmates are given the opportunity to gain training and skills in carpentry and traditional art by creating wooden toys to sell.

“We are proud to be supporting such a worthwhile cause,” says Jim Bindon, Managing Director, Big River Group. “As a founding industry partner with the Serco run Clarence Correctional Centre, we understand how important it is to provide purpose and learning opportunities for the inmates. The TCL program currently produces between 40 and 55 toys a month, which are purchased by Serco with all proceeds going to education and employment opportunities for Indigenous youth.”

“Inmates learn about routine and the discipline that comes with attending work every day,” says Andrew Wilson, Industries Development Manager, at Clarence Correctional Centre. “They gain employability and communication skills that much of work success relies upon. Beyond these core skills, inmates are encouraged into traineeships, licence-based training and certificate courses.”

Operated and maintained by Serco, on behalf of the NSW Government, Clarence Correctional Centre is designed to support a rehabilitative approach to justice by providing education, training and employment pathways for inmates through industry, business, and education partners.

If you would like to be involved with Toys Change Lives, visit https://www.tcl.org.au/