Celebrating 20 years with FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia
A partnership with ABCN that began in 2006 has made mentoring an established part of workplace culture at FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia.
Robert Bonotto, Chief People & Corporate Officer, says the partnership has lasted because it has given employees a practical way to contribute as community needs have changed.
“We have remained involved for 20 years because ABCN offers a structured, adaptable way for our people to contribute, with programs that continue to evolve in response to community needs and participant feedback.”
Making mentoring part of workplace culture
The company promotes ABCN mentoring opportunities each year, inviting employees across different roles and levels of the business to take part. Volunteers’ contributions are recognised internally, reinforcing mentoring as an ongoing commitment.
“Over 50 mentors now return year after year, while new participants continue to join,” Robert says.
The learning goes both ways. Robert reports that employees gain confidence in guiding career conversations and helping students identify their strengths. Mentors also reflect on their own experiences and consider how to share them in ways that are relevant to young people.
For employees, the opportunity to learn from students is part of what makes volunteering rewarding and encourages them to return.
Building connections through Dulili
This year Fujifilm worked with ABCN, piloting Dulili, our mentoring program for First Nations students, Cultural awareness learning is built into Dulili to prepare mentors for respectful participation and Fujifilm reinforces this through internal training and activities led by its First Nations Employee Resource Group. Robert said employees come away from Dulili sessions with a truly deeper understanding of and connection to First Nations peoples, cultures and Country. Mentors have described visits to Gorokan High School, hosting students in the office, and hearing their stories as some of the most meaningful parts of the experience.
A foundation for lasting connections
Dulili’s structure gives mentors and students time to get to know each other across multiple sessions. It also gives the company a consistent model for continuing its involvement.
“Regular sessions then allow mentors and students to build on each interaction, while the established program model provides a consistent framework that can be repeated and strengthened each year,” Robert said.
Participation has also broadened beyond the company’s First Nations Employee Resource Group to include employees from a wider range of roles and past participants have shared their experiences with colleagues and encouraged new mentors to join.
Putting reconciliation commitments into practice
The experience has helped shape the company’s plans for its ongoing reconciliation work.
“The success of Dulili prompted us to include a specific commitment in our upcoming Innovate RAP to maintain long-term support for the program and related initiatives,” Robert says.
For other businesses considering how mentoring could fit within their own reconciliation commitments, Robert points to the value of sustained involvement.
“For organisations looking for a practical way to put RAP commitments into action and provide an accessible way for staff to be more involved, Dulili offers a proven model that can be supported and strengthened over time.”
FUJIFILM'S impact over twenty years
Helping students build confidence and prepare for life beyond school through employee mentoring.