OUR STORY
Cuttaway Solutions was established in 2019 in response to a growing need for reliable, community-focused cleaning and maintenance services in the Hunter region. Proudly 100% Indigenous-owned, we bring cultural knowledge, industry expertise, and a deep commitment to caring for people and places.
Our name reflects our vision - to "cut a way" forward for Aboriginal communities by creating employment, training pathways, and culturally safe services that make a difference.
OUR MISSION
To empower self-driven lifestyles for our clients and community through professional cleaning and property services, grounded in cultural respect and social responsibility.
OUR VISION
To be a leading Indigenous-owned provider of essential services in the Newcastle, Hunter Valley, and Lake Macquarie regions - supporting individuals, families, and organisations with care and integrity.
OUR VALUES
We are guided by cultural integrity, community connection, and a commitment to delivering quality in everything we do. We value respect, reliability, sustainability, and creating real opportunities for Aboriginal people to thrive.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Cuttaway Solutions is led by proud Aboriginal entrepreneurs with deep family roots in community business and enterprise. Together, they bring vision, lived experience, and a passion for community development through sustainable business.
OUR HISTORY
At Cuttaway Solutions, our roots run deep. We are proud to carry on a legacy built by one of Australia’s most significant Indigenous entrepreneurial families. Our managing directors, proud Aboriginal businessmen Malcolm and Edward Smith, come from a long line of trailblazers who have paved the way for Aboriginal-owned businesses in this country.
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In 1969, their father William (Bill) Smith, and uncle - Robert (Bob) founded Smiths General Contracting Pty Ltd, widely recognised as Australia’s first Aboriginal-owned enterprise. The company began with humble contracts in railway maintenance, but quickly grew into a powerhouse within the civil and rail industries.
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By 1972, the company was securing major infrastructure contracts, including the construction of railway lines for the coal industry. One of their most notable achievements was being awarded the contract to lay the railway track to the Port Waratah Coal Loader - a landmark project at the time.
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Their success continued through the decades with high-profile projects such as the Zig Zag Railway in Lithgow and the urgent replacement of rail lines following the Granville rail disaster, one of the most tragic transport incidents in Australian history.
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More than just a business, Smiths General Contracting was a symbol of Aboriginal empowerment. At its peak, the company employed hundreds of people - more than 70% of whom were Aboriginal. It stood as a beacon of opportunity, pride, and community strength.
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Today, Cuttaway Solutions stands on the shoulders of that legacy, carrying forward the same commitment to cultural integrity, community impact, and creating meaningful pathways for Aboriginal people through enterprise.
