WASEC Spotlight: Learning from Aboriginal Enterprise

Join us for a special WASEC event shining a spotlight on the essential role Aboriginal-owned enterprises play in WA's economic and social landscape. We will hear first hand from a diverse group of Aboriginal-owned and run social enterprises and we will explore how Indigenous business sits at the heart of creating economic independence and cultural strength for Australian First Nations people. By promoting self-determination and empowering Aboriginal entrepreneurs, we can unlock a wealth of economic and social opportunities that will benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike.

🔸 Network and Learn: Join an inclusive environment where social enterprises can network, learn from one another, and share their success stories and challenges.

🔸Showcasing Aboriginal Enterprises: We will be highlighting the diverse range of Aboriginal-owned enterprises and their positive contributions to the community and the environment.

🔸Empowering through Social Procurement: Explore the transformative potential of social procurement in uplifting marginalised communities and supporting social enterprises.

🔸Discussion on The Voice: Engaging in open dialogues about The Voice, its significance in advancing Australian society, and the role social enterprises can play in promoting meaningful reconciliation.

Bush food inspired catering will be lovingly provided by Gather Foods: "More than delicious food and unforgettable catering. More, even, than showcasing native ingredients and caring for Country. We’re about driving meaningful change and empowering Aboriginal lives and communities"

MC

Amanda Healy

Amanda is from the Wonnarua nation – traditional owners of the Hunter Valley in NSW. Amanda has more than 35 years’ experience in the mining industry, both in Australia, Africa and Canada – working for Blue Chip miners such as BHP, Rio Tinto and WMC. In 2004 she founded her own Engineering business in the Pilbara - Maxx Engineering which was sold to a large international company in 2015. In early 2017 she founded 2 Indigenous engineering companies – supporting Aboriginal people in business (and developing people in the mechanical space), one is located in the Pilbara the other in Cape York with the Wikwae/Currag people. Amanda developed Kirrikin in late 2014, and is a social enterprise sharing profits with the artists – to address shortage of authentic Indigenous products.

Presenters

Oral McGuire

Oral McGuire is a proud Mangarda Nyungar Man. He represents his clan groups of the Balardong, Yued, Wirlomen and Whadjuk Noongar peoples who are the custodians and First Law Holders of these sacred lands that we all stand on.

Oral is highly engaged in Noongar politics and business & community issues, sitting as a founding Director of both the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and the Noongar Land Enterprises (NLE)group. He is currently a Chair and Board member of the Wheatbelt Development Commission and Board Member of the WA Regional Development Trust. He is also the Indigenous research lead of the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country – Curtin University. Oral was a Director on the Board of SWALSC (SW Land Council) when the “Single Noongar Claim” was launched in 2004 and he was one of the appointed representatives of the Noongar Nation at the Uluru Dialogue – which presented the “Uluru Statement of the Heart” to the Australian people in 2017.

Gabby Howlett

Gabby Howlett works for Juluwarlu Art Group as the Product and Merchandise Developer. Juluwarlu Art Group, founded by Lorraine Coppin, is a collective of Yindjibarndi artists who celebrate Yindjibarndi Country, culture and language through a diverse range of artistic practices. The collective is based in Leramagadu (Roebourne), a town of approximately 900 people which is located in the remote north-western Pilbara region of Western Australia, while the ancestral homeland of the artists, Yindjibarndi Country, surrounds the nearby Millstream Tablelands and Fortescue River area.

Juluwarlu Art Group now provides significant support and services to over 30 artists, offering opportunities for skills development and enabling them to share their artworks and stories with a wider audience, thereby earning an income while expressing, maintaining, and celebrating Yindjibarndi culture. While predominantly working within the practice of acrylic painting on canvas, Juluwarlu artists have become known for their diverse art practices, which also include carvedyarranga marni boards and scratchboards, wooden artefacts, fibre works, jewellery, and works on paper.

Frank Mitchell

Frank is a proud descendant of the Whadjuk-Yued Nyoongar, and a proud father, husband, and son. Frank grew up in state housing in a small community in the South-West. Although blessed with a loving family, like many small towns, there were high rates of unemployment, drug/alcohol abuse, mental illness, and suicide. Being offered an electrical apprenticeship, at age 25, was a turning point for Frank’s career. With his energy, motivation, and leadership aptitude – Frank moved from an electrician to site supervisor, to project manager, then co-owner and Director of Wilco Electrical in 2015. He then co-founded his second business, Kardan (Nyoongar name for a type of Red Gum tree) Australia in 2019. Kardan delivers many social impact pathways and business diversity, however, Kardan’s core business is Construction

Since 2015, Frank and his team have created 29 Aboriginal positions in total: 14 electrical apprenticeships (incl. two female), 6 female admin traineeships, 2 carpenter apprenticeships, and 7 trade assistant positions. Having just won WA’s Telstra Best of Business Awards Indigenous Excellence category in 2022, Frank and his team are excited, more than ever about increasing their social impact reach in the next decade and beyond!

Tim Milsom

Tim is the former CEO of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation and current Executive Officer of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Tim owns a number of successful businesses and has been awarded both local and International Awards in Innovation and Export, through his UK interests.

Tim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to NCCI and has a passion to help businesses realise their vision. He mentors individuals to help build their capacity and realise their dreams and goals.

Jasmine Kadic

Jasmine Kadic (nee Harp) is a proud Whadjuk/Ballardong woman from a long line of strong Aboriginal leaders and elders within the Noongar Community. Jasmine has been in Management positions within the Health & Construction Industries with a passion and drive for Aboriginal economic and social development across all major areas including Health, Employment & Education. Jasmine is the Managing Director and co-founder of Benang consisting of infrastructure construction and its staffing and professional services arm, Ergon.

Jasmine has a real passion to help others and is driven to make changes that will benefit her people and community. Jasmine is a MURRA alumni from University of Melbourne Business School , she is also the Chair for Noongar Mia Mia, acting WA Director for NATSIHA an member of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Daniel Morrison
Daniel Morrison is a Noongar/Yamitji man from Perth Western Australia. He’s a family man with a partner and two children. Daniel is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Wungening Aboriginal Corporation based in Perth.

During the past nine years Daniel has provided strong leadership in his role as Wungening CEO to significantly improving Wungening governance, staff retention rates, compliance and reputation across the human services sector. The respect Wungening has gained within the Aboriginal community, the community services and government sectors, is evidenced through our increased service footprint and massive growth of our annual revenue from $1.8 to $20.4 million (2010 – 2019).

Details:

August 31st 2023

9:00am - 12:00pm AWST

Goolugatup Heathcote Reserve, 58 Duncraig Rd, Applecross WA 6153

Complementary coffee & snacks from 9:00am

This event is proudly supported by City of Melville, Lottery West and Impact Seed

Who is WASEC?

The Western Australia Social Enterprise Council (WASEC) is the Peak Body dedicated to fostering a thriving social enterprise sector in Western Australia. Our mission is to create a just, inclusive, and sustainable society, where every business contributes positively to social, cultural, or environmental well-being. We are committed to driving positive change by connecting, empowering, and advocating for social enterprises across the state.