Green Yakka Launch
Denise - Green Yakka Team Member
Green Yakka: Built on Hard Work, Backed by Purpose
FY25 marked a new chapter for our labour hire and zero waste services, with the launch of Green Yakka – a dedicated brand that builds on more than a decade of impact as part of Green Connect. The fresh identity gives these services space to grow, sharpening their focus and expanding opportunities.
“Green Yakka continues the work we’ve been doing for more than a decade as part of Green Connect,” says Robert Dale, Green Yakka Operations Manager. “It’s the same people, services and purpose, delivering hands-on work that tackles waste and creates job pathways for people facing barriers to employment.”
While Green Connect Farm continues its mission of growing fair food, Green Yakka focuses on creating employment opportunities at scale through labour hire and zero waste services across Sydney and the Illawarra.
From bush regeneration and land care to site clean-ups, sustainable events and waste audits, Green Yakka teams are out in the community every day, putting in the hard, honest work that cares for the land while creating meaningful employment. For many of our staff, including young people entering the workforce for the first time or former refugees building new lives in Australia, these are more than jobs. They are chances to build skills, confidence and futures.
The name reflects that spirit.
“Green” speaks to our purpose.
As a not-for-profit social enterprise, we create job pathways for people who face barriers to employment. Through training and hands-on work that tackles waste and cares for the land, we help them build the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive. It’s also a nod to our roots in Green Connect.
“Yakka” comes from yaga – meaning “work”.
In the Yuggera language (also written as Yugara, Jagara, Jagera, and other variants), traditionally spoken by the Yuggera people of Meanjin (Brisbane). The word fit naturally into Australian English – short, strong and distinctive. Over time, it came to describe effort, resilience and honest, physical work: the kind our teams show up and do every day. Our use of the word honours its Aboriginal origins and the cultural strength it carries.
With its launch, Green Yakka has already opened doors to new partnerships and opportunities, strengthening its role as a trusted partner for councils, businesses and communities.
And while the brand is new, the message remains the same: through hard work backed by purpose, we can do good and build something better – for people, communities and Country.
