The 10th anniversary breakfast of Indigenous Business Month saw a large number of successful Indigenous businesses gather in Sydney to celebrate First Nations excellence.
The breakfast saw Indigenous business entrepreneurs, MURRA alumni and previous Indigenous Business Month (IBM) award winners gather to celebrate both the important 10-year milestone as well as this year's winners, with the theme of the year being 'Making Our Mark'.
Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership co-founder and director, Michelle Evans, reflecting on the contribution made by the award winners in the community as well as what IBM has achieved over its 10-year journey.
"The Indigenous Business sector is employing at least 116,795 people and qualitative evidence points to the fact that Indigenous businesses and corporations are recruiting and developing Indigenous employees," Dr Evans said.
"Here we can see Indigenous businesses, such as this year's award winners proudly demonstrating the essence of this year's theme 'Making Our Mark.'"
Fellow IBM co-founder and director of Iscariot Media, Leesa Watego, said building a business was a marathon, not a sprint, arguing it's a "great time to celebrate the businesses and business owners that have been in business for a decade or more".
"Riding the success also means weathering the lows. Congratulations to all those Indigenous businesses who are here for the long haul," Ms Watego said.
On the 10th anniversary, IBM co-founder and director of 33 Creative, Mayrah Sonter, reflected on enormous strides and developments taken since IBM's inception.
"I think what's most incredible to observe is the Indigenous business to business partnerships that have been formed, and our collaboration amongst one another to meet the needs of our communities over the last ten years", she said.
All three co-founders congratulated all the applicants and award winners, acknowledging the collective impact Indigenous businesses continue to have on communities.
This includes looking for efficient yet environmentally conscious ways of doing business whilst bringing others along with them, employing and sharing opportunities.
This year's award winners were Riley Callie Resources, Project Net Zero, Townsville CBD Electrical and Empower Digital.
Riley Callie Resources provides education resources to educators across the country and engages with community to learn about their local culture, bringing these unique experiences and perspectives into the classroom through authentic resources which celebrate and showcase Indigenous Australia.
Founder and Dunghutti woman, Deborah Hoger, said lifting up other Indigenous businesses through their business' journey has been a key priority of Riley Callie Resources since it began, "which is why this award means so much; it is such an honour to have this recognition".
100 per cent Indigenous owned and operated Project Net Zero provides national de-fit services to corporates, companies, and businesses for both loose furniture and fixed assets, along with make good services.
Founder and proud Aboriginal man from Kamilaroi Country, Aron Kurzdlyo, said he was grateful for the award and the recognition, saying it "honours how Indigenous leadership in the circular economy embodies our deep commitment to caring for Country and creating sustainable, regenerative solutions for future generations".
Michael Prien owns and operates Townsville CBD Electrical Pty, which has seen eight Indigenous apprentices already pass through its ranks.
He said the award was a "very proud moment for our CBD Team", who provide fast, efficient, and friendly electrical, refrigeration and energy efficient services for residential, commercial, and industrial markets in the Northern region and surrounding areas.
Empower Digital specialise in digital commerce on the Shopify platform, working to empower businesses to take control of their own online presence, overcoming barriers, and gaining sustainable outcomes for their long-term success.
Trainer and Consultant at Empower Digital, Wamba Wemba man Adam Wooding, said First Nations people have been at the forefront of entrepreneurship and trade for thousands of years.
"We're so grateful to receive the Digital Inventiveness award for 2024 as we continue this legacy of supporting Indigenous businesses to restore trade song lines in the digital age," he said.
Indigenous Business Month award winners
I2I Award: Riley Callie Resources Pty Ltd
Indigenous Ingenuity Award: Project Net Zero
Regional Indigenous Business Award: Townsville CBD Electrical Pty Ltd.
Indigenous Digital Inventiveness Award: Empower Digital
