The incredible achievements of First Nations business leaders and entrepreneurs have been recognised in a celebration of hard work and talent at the 2023 Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards.
Minister for Employment Vicki Ward congratulated the winners at the event, which brought the sector together to celebrate the outstanding success of First Nations businesses and partners across the state.
Established in 2021 and presented by the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce, the 2023 awards recognised 12 exceptional businesses and corporate partners for their innovation, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Victoria’s Aboriginal business community.
Minister for Employment Vicki Ward says “the Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards demonstrate how employment and economic development go hand-in-hand with cultural strength and community empowerment. We’re proud to support the event and congratulate all the winners.”
Among the winners was Gardening On Country which won the Up-and-Coming Business Award, NLA Logistics awarded the Sistas in Business Award and TSS Total Surveying Solutions taking home the IoT Excellence Award.
Creativity was celebrated with By Josh Deane winning the Creative Business Award, while the significant contributions of regional businesses were acknowledged with TVN On-Country awarded the Regional Business Award.
First Nations Traffic Management, Dreamtime Flooring and Wamarra received awards highlighting their successes in resilience, collaboration and excellence, and Fulton Hogan, Icon, Liberty Finance and the Sri Lanka and Australia Chamber of Commerce were recognised for their work in engaging and partnering with Aboriginal businesses.
Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins says “these awards are a vibrant expression of economic self-determination and a celebration of First Nations innovation and leadership in Victoria.”
With almost 700 guests in attendance, the awards reflect the crucial role of Aboriginal businesses in strengthening the state’s economy and the importance of Aboriginal economic self-determination.
The Allan Labor Government is working closely with Aboriginal Victorians to develop a thriving Aboriginal economy and achieve economic parity within a generation. The Government’s Yuma Yirramboi (Invest in Tomorrow) Strategy includes a $25 million investment into Aboriginal employment and business initiatives over the strategy’s first two years.
Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Acting CEO Donald Betts says “these awards aim to lead the charge that will make significant change and inspire future generations to ‘think big’ – it’s time to show the world that Victorian Indigenous Businesses are ready to go global.”
