Boarding students at NRL Cowboys House will ride in style with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ 2024 Indigenous design now adorning the House’s 22-seat Toyota Coaster.
Proudly donated by Toyota, the school bus is used to transport students to and from 11 partner high schools and now has artist and House Parent Bradley Michael's Nhinhinhi design accompanying them on their daily route.
‘Nhinhinhi Gurra Bamawi Guugu’ (how the giant Nhinhinhi fish changed the languages), a creation story from Cooktown and Hopevale, features on the bus as well as the 2024 Cowboys Indigenous jersey, 2024 NRL Cowboys House polo and related program apparel.
Cowboys Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer Fiona Pelling said the bus plays a role in creating a culturally-safe environment for Indigenous students boarding at the House.
"This amazing Coaster, donated to NRL Cowboys House by Toyota, provides an integral part of the transportation solution for our young people," she said.
"Not only are we lucky enough to have that contribution made by Toyota, we're also for 2024 able to showcase the amazing talent of one of our House Parents here.
"Having Bradley able to create such an amazing story and having the opportunity to be represented on the national stage through his artwork is an amazingly inspirational story in itself.
"It really shows you can do anything, and NRL Cowboys House is all about providing those opportunities."
The donation of the Coaster builds on Toyota's long-running commitment to students at NRL Cowboys House as a Partner of the House, in addition to decades of support for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys through their principal partnership of the club since 2003.
Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo said Toyota’s support underscores their commitment to supporting and inspiring communities across Australia through the power of diversity, inclusion, unity and pride.
“The Toyota-donated Coaster will not only assist with the transportation of boarding students but will make education and training more accessible to young First Nations communities, creating a lasting positive impact for years to come,” he said.
“Toyota deeply appreciates the rich cultural narrative woven into Bradley Michael's 2024 Indigenous design, and its presence on the bus will provide a daily reminder to over 100 First Nations students of their heritage and values, fostering a sense of belonging and pride.
“We are immensely proud to be partnering with NRL Cowboys House to foster communities and the game from the ground up.”
The 2024 Indigenous jersey is available in the Cowboys Team Shop now, while the House polo will be available for pre-order soon, thanks to Cowboys Leagues Club.
