Magabala Books is proud to announce that they have been recognised with the 2025 Workplace Team Culture & Inclusivity Award at this year’s Broome Business Excellence Awards. 

The award celebrates Magabala’s ongoing commitment to building a culturally safe, inclusive and values-driven workplace that is grounded in the strength of First Nations leadership. 

“As a First Nations-owned and governed organisation, Magabala Books has built a workplace culture grounded in care, connection, and integrity. By embedding First Nations leadership and listening closely to staff feedback, they’ve created an environment where flexible working, generous leave, and a wellbeing framework rooted in First Nations knowledge come together to prioritise cultural safety and inclusion.” 
— Broome Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Business Excellence Awards 2025 

Chief Executive Officer Dr Lilly Brown said the recognition was a testament to the entire Magabala community. 

“The culture of Magabala is set at the top, where our board of Kimberley First Nations directors are so incredibly supportive of ensuring Magabala meets the needs of staff, from paid parental and gender affirming care leave to being open about the importance of social and emotional wellbeing at work. Workplace culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built every day through care, trust and shared purpose. I’m so proud to work alongside people who show up for each other with generosity and heart. From the Board’s leadership right through to the day-to-day work across the team, everyone at Magabala shares the same commitment to creating a culturally safe, joyful, and supportive place to be. This win belongs to all of us.” 
— Dr Lilly Brown, CEO of Magabala Books 

The award follows the results of Magabala’s 2025 Staff Happiness Survey, which showed outstanding results across all key measures of wellbeing and inclusion: 

These results reflect Magabala’s continued investment in staff wellbeing, cultural safety, and professional development. Over the past year, the organisation introduced new paid leave provisions - including cultural and ceremonial leave, chronic illness leave and gender affirmation leave - and delivered LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice training for all staff and Board members, provided by Switchboard Victoria. 

Founded on Yawuru and Djugan Country in Rubibi/Broome, Magabala Books continues to grow as Australia’s leading First Nations publisher, and the most remote publishing house in the world. However, its heart remains in the people who make it what it is. 

This award is a celebration of that collective spirit, and of the belief that strong culture based on the legacy of its founding Elders is the basis for everything Magabala does.