WONBON is a 100% Indigenous family-owned business run by Banjima and Noongar traditional owners with skills, knowledge and experience in the WA Transport and Mining Industries. The company aims to build their own First Nations Operated Supply Network to support both Pilbara Industry and surrounding communities, and to provide local employment, training, and development opportunities.

WONBON: Making a Difference in the WA Transport and Mining Industries and Tackling Plastic Waste.

WONBON is a 100% Indigenous family-owned business run by Banjima and Noongar traditional owners in Western Australia, with skills, knowledge and experience built in the WA Transport and Mining Industries since the late 1950s. Their mission is to build their own First Nations Operated Supply Network to support both Pilbara Industry and surrounding communities, providing local employment, training, and development opportunities.

Their foundations were forged by Paul WONBON, a member of the stolen generation. After his removal from his family, he was sent to the Carnarvon Mission at the age of 6. During his time in Carnarvon, he developed a passion for the transport industry from observing the trucks from Gascoyne Trading, who he would later go on to work for.

Paul started his truck driving career at Minderoo Station in the Pilbara before returning to Carnarvon to drive the trucks he dreamed of driving as a child. After 25 years of service with Gascoyne and having taught four of his sons to drive, he bought his own prime mover and traded as a subcontractor, trading as Bunjima Transport until his passing in 2009.

In early 2021, Paul's son, Darren Morris, decided to follow his father's entrepreneurial footsteps and, together with his sister Mikaela's professional acumen, determination, and work ethic, they founded WONBON. The company relies on JV partnerships and emerging opportunities to become product sales and distributors in the Pilbara, to grow capital.

WONBON has partnered with WA Drilling Fluids manufacturer Mudex to launch a range of bio products that are available in a new sustainable Enviro packaging option that eliminates up to 90% of plastics. Made in Australia from 100% biodegradable cardboard with a safe manual handling weight of 15kg, these products are designed to help eliminate the amount of plastic entering the Pilbara.

At this stage, WONBON has a small group of exploration drillers as their core customers, but they have been in talks with the major Pilbara miners. They have also completed a couple of work instructions with BHP's local buying program and are consolidating sales of their drilling and cleaning products in this market. Their plans involve establishing their logistics operations, which they plan to use as an indigenous operator training platform. They are also planning for their fleet to be 100% carbon neutral.

WONBON's story is a testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Indigenous Australians, who continue to strive for economic independence and self-determination. By partnering with Mudex to offer sustainable products and establishing their logistics operations, they are paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future for the Pilbara Industry and surrounding communities.