Outback Academy Australia (OAA) began as the Networked Communities for Sustainable Futures (NCSF) in 2010/11 with an Innovative Project grant funded by the Commonwealth Government. Led by founders of OAA today, this initiative began to explore game-changing models for connecting underutilised First Nations land assets to build ethical, sustainable and economically viable agricultural business, employment and supply chain opportunities.

Following NCSF,  OAA's Lead initiative became the East West Alliance, and is today referred to as Follow the Flowers. It grew through friendships between Eastern and Western Seaboard colleagues working in agriculture and natural resource management agencies, alongside First Nations landholders. These leaders were committed to building regenerative agriculture and horticulture businesses that repair Country, while strengthening communities, economic prosperity and employment.  Similar to Fairtrade.

Efforts to bring landholders together to inform the national movement were assisted by Indigenous Business Australia, National Indigenous Australians Authority, Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Program, the Department of Agriculture and Food in WA (now Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) and philanthropy partners.

Critical at this time was the friendship and ambassadorial efforts of Wells Trenfield (dec) the owner of Jasper Coffee - Australia's first Fairtrade coffee company. Wells assisted OAA leaders and landholders with their thinking and decision-making about collaborative, socially and environmentally responsible approaches to business on farms, and in broader contexts as a connected supply chain.

Friendships and work together were further encouraged by AFL Legend and former Roelands Mission, now Roelands Village resident Syd Jackson, who was concerned about how his old mission could achieve economic sustainability while taking care of former residents and their families. This remains a strong interest of Syd's today alongside opportunities for young people with and without disability to have a hand-up into employment.

In 2023, OAA's work was significantly assisted by philanthropists who share our interests in accelerating First Nations led regenerative agriculture business that repairs Country while building economic and social change and prosperity.

Today OAA works collaboratively with landholders to build and benefit from regenerative agriculture, horticulture and linked tourism on their land. Part of this model requires OAA to work in the development of co-designed business plans, capacity and capability building for regenerative agriculture, including for technical and core business governance skills.

The OAA team today drive - regenerative agriculture businesses that repair Country; intergenerational and shoulder to shoulder workforce development packages on farms and with education partners; collaboration with investors and partners to close the gap in resources, equipment and infrastructure;  feed into State and Commonwealth policy and program development for First Nations led agriculture; marketing and supply chain arrangements with buyers of product

Additionally, OAA is committed to making sure we and our partners include opportunity building with young people, including those with disability and in out-of-home care.  This part of what we do falls under our Red Dust Heelers - Diversity and Inclusion arm