Built with communities, not for them.
Goods that heal.
How a question about preventable disease became a movement for community ownership.
Our Mission
“Beds, washing machines, and refrigerators designed with communities, manufactured sustainably, and eventually owned by them.”
The Challenge
The Problem
Thousands of people in remote Australia sleep on the floor or share beds. Essential appliances fail within months because they were never designed for remote conditions. The freight makes everything unaffordable.
This isn't a cultural choice—it's a failure of infrastructure. A washing machine isn't convenience—it's cardiac prevention. Clean bedding breaks the scabies cycle that leads to Rheumatic Heart Disease.
We build durable, repairable, community-designed "health hardware" that addresses the environmental conditions driving preventable disease.
The Barriers
Distance & Cost
Remote delivery can cost more than the item itself
Availability
Standard retailers don't serve these communities
Durability
Cheap furniture doesn't survive harsh conditions
Our Values
What Guides Us
Community-Led Design
Products refined "around the fire" with Elders and families. We listen first, design second.
Transparency
We track every item we deliver. Real data, real impact, no hidden costs.
Built for Remote
Commercial-grade foundations, local repairability. The Toyota Troopy of household goods.
Community Ownership
Our goal is to transfer manufacturing to community-owned enterprises. We become unnecessary.
Our Journey
Growing Impact
The Spark
Nic hears Dr. Bo Remenyi speak about preventable Rheumatic Heart Disease in remote communities.
Project Begins
Goods project kicks off with advisory session in November.
A Curious Tractor Founded
Organisation formally established in September. First bed prototypes developed.
400+ Beds Delivered
Active pilots deliver beds across Palm Island, Tennant Creek, Mt Isa, and more.
Washing Machines Launch
Pakkimjalki Kari (Speed Queen-based) washing machines deployed. 8+ communities served.
The Team
Who We Are
Nicholas Marchesi
Co-founder & Project Lead
Nic leads Goods on Country with a deep commitment to community-led design. Working alongside Traditional Owners and community members, he bridges the gap between manufacturing capability and community need. His approach centers on listening first, designing second - ensuring every product reflects the wisdom and preferences of the communities they serve.
nicholas@act.place
Benjamin Knight
Co-founder, Story & Technology
Ben brings design and technology expertise to Goods, building the systems that connect products to communities. His background spans social enterprise, Indigenous partnerships, and digital platforms. He believes in technology as a tool for community empowerment, not extraction.
benjamin@act.placeOur Community
Featured Supporters & Partners
The people and organizations making this work possible
Dianne Stokes
Community Designer & Collaborator
Tennant Creek
Community designer and collaborator. When Dianne received her first bed, she came back within two weeks requesting twenty more for her community. She has been instrumental in refining bed designs around the fire with her family, ensuring products meet real community needs.
Oonchiumpa Bloomfield Family
Central Australia (Alice Springs/Mbantua)
Deep consultation partners for bed design and community distribution. The Oonchiumpa partnership represents our "deep roots model" - long-term relationships built on trust and community-led development. 100% Aboriginal-owned since 2022.
Visit website →Kristy Bloomfield
Director
Central Australia
Kristy leads Oonchiumpa Consultancy, a 100% Aboriginal-owned consultancy that has been instrumental in guiding our approach to community-led design and distribution across Central Australia.
Norman Frank Jupurrurla
Warumungu Elder, Wilya Janta co-founder
Tennant Creek
Housing advocate who helped identify the fundamental need for dignified sleeping and living conditions in remote communities. 2026 Australian of the Year nominee.
Snow Foundation
Major philanthropic supporter enabling production scale-up. Funding the Q1 2026 Goods Production Scale-Up program including supply chain development and community ownership model refinement.
Visit website →Data Sovereignty
OCAP Principles
We follow OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession) principles in all our data practices. Community data belongs to communities.
- Community-owned data governance
- Transparent tracking systems
- Privacy-first approach
- Elder-approved content only
Data sovereignty is a fundamental right
A good bed can prevent heart disease.
Every purchase supports community-led design and manufacturing in remote Australia. Our job is to become unnecessary.