About

Thirty years in the sector, delivered in plain language.

The Stickman Method is facilitated by First Nations International Pty Ltd, a women-led, Indigenous-owned company based in Cleveland, Queensland. Trading as FNI Education, the company develops culturally sensitive, adaptable programs for individuals, families and groups.

Our people

Indigenous owned and led.

Leah Close

General Manager

Leah Close brings more than two decades of experience in operations, workforce development, employment services and Indigenous program delivery. A qualified trainer and commerce graduate, Leah has held leadership and coordination roles across government-funded employment, training and skills development programs. As General Manager, she leads FNI’s operational, financial and administrative functions, helping translate strategy into sustainable service delivery and organisational growth.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Commerce (Management/HR Management), Deakin University, 2018
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Metropolitan South TAFE, 2009
Associate Degree, Business Administration and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Australian Catholic University, 2008
Enrolled Nurse, Grafton Base Hospital NSW, 1983

leah@fnieducation.com.au
0400 122 501

John Close

Program Manager

John Close brings more than 30 years’ experience across alcohol and other drugs treatment, corrections, Indigenous health and community services. He is the founder of the Goori Men’s Addiction Treatment Centre and creator of the Stickman Method, a practical behavioural change framework developed through decades of frontline work with individuals, families and communities. John combines lived experience with formal qualifications in counselling and alcohol and other drug practice, together with tertiary studies in behavioural science and mental health.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health), Charles Sturt University, 2025
Diploma of Social Science (Counselling), Logan City Business Academy, 1996

john@fnieducation.com.au
0409 543 726

Governance

Registered, insured, documented.

Legal entity

First Nations International Pty Ltd

Trading name

FNI Education

ACN

652 997 638

ABN

12 652 997 638

Principal

John Close

Based

Cleveland QLD 4163

Phone

+61 409 543 726

Domain

fnieducation.com.au

Ownership

Wholly Indigenous owned and led

Supply Nation

Registered supplier

Public liability

Certificate available on request

First Nations International is a Supply Nation registered supplier. Indigenous owned and women led.

How we sign our name

The work carries the trading name, FNI Education. The company signs it: facilitated by First Nations International Pty Ltd. Contracts, invoices and insurance use the legal entity; programs, materials and this site use the trading name.

Policies

The eight policies governing this work are listed on the Evidence page. Copies are available on request by email.

Run a tailored Stickman Method Program.

Your team sees the whole client journey — readiness, barriers and support needs mapped before you invest in placement, programs or referrals, so the right support lands in the right order.

Book an initial meeting