Our Approach

At Winya Indigenous Commercial Furniture, our approach is more than just a business model; it's a movement that bridges respect, sustainability, and empowerment. Established in 2015, Winya was founded by Debbie Barwick and a group of industry professionals committed to creating meaningful employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians and celebrating Indigenous culture through design.

The name Winya, meaning "to sit now" in Wiradjuri dialect, perfectly encapsulates our mission: to provide spaces where culture, community, and conscious design converge.

From the outset, we’ve remained a majority Indigenous-owned and controlled business, operating with a profit-for-purpose model and recognised as a leader in sustainability and social impact. Our growth is driven by our commitment to five guiding pillars - Indigenous Engagement, Sustainability Practices, Product Design & Development, Project Management, and Product Range - which shape everything we do. These pillars represent not just the work we deliver, but the way we engage with our community, the environment, and each other.

The Pillars At The Core Of Winya

Indigenous Engagement logo with kangaroo track symbol; text about cultural impact and positive change.
Project management icon with abstract eagle track design and promotional text describing project management services.
Logo featuring two white handprints on a green circle with text about sustainability practices emphasizing responsibility for environmental footprint, material use, waste conversion, and landfill reduction.
Illustration of a honey ant and text about product range. The image features a honey ant inside a graphic circle with six radiating lines, symbolizing connection and sourcing. The accompanying text describes the product range and mentions the similarity between the honey ant's diligence and the company's service in meeting project needs.
Graphic featuring text on product design and development with an illustration of a round table surrounded by four colorful abstract shapes.