GABC Newsletter | 04 November 2025
Today’s
Top Stories
The wait is over – now dive into the photos and stories from our inaugural Business Awards & Sundowner 2025.
Inaugural Business Awards & Sundowner 2025
Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber | Inaugural Business Awards & Sundowner 2025
Celebrating the Power of Aboriginal Enterprise
GABC proudly hosted its inaugural Aboriginal Business Awards & Sundowner on Thursday, 16th October 2025, at the historic Hannans Club in Kalgoorlie.
With around 60 guests in attendance, the evening was alive with energy, connection, and celebration shining a spotlight on the innovation, resilience, and leadership of Aboriginal‑owned businesses across the Goldfields and beyond.
Guests enjoyed a vibrant cocktail‑style gathering that not only honoured business achievements but also recognised the vital role of allies and supporters in strengthening Aboriginal participation in the business sector.
A Night Led with Heart: The evening was guided by GABC General Manager, Melissa Tombs, who stepped into the role of MC for the very first time. Melissa has been with GABC for over a year, and her professionalism, warmth, and dedication shone through as she steered the night with confidence and grace.
Following the General Manager’s welcome, Daniel Barker, Manager Communities and Stakeholder Engagement at Mineral Resources, opened the formal addresses, with GABC Chair, Rowena Leslie, also sharing inspiring remarks. Together, they highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and resilience in driving Aboriginal business success. Their words set the perfect stage for the presentation of eight prestigious awards, each celebrating excellence in entrepreneurship, leadership, and and community impact.
Awards Winners
Aboriginal Business Excellence Award
Winner: Dabungool – Esperance
Recognised for outstanding growth and cultural tourism leadership, Dabungool continues to inspire through language programs, walking tours, and youth engagement.
Aboriginal Business Achievement Award
Winner: Pitbull Services – Kambalda
Founded by Travis Brophy, Pitbull Services is making a strong environmental and community impact through recycling, waste reduction, and bushland clean up programs.
Aboriginal Business Leadership Award
Winner: A–Z Panel & Paint – Kalgoorlie
Led by Lesley, A–Z Panel & Paint demonstrates long standing leadership in vehicle restoration and Aboriginal employment pathways in the Goldfields.
Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: Benjamin Stubbs – Kalgoorlie
Recognised for his creative entrepreneurship and success through @Stubbaa, Ben continues to share Aboriginal culture and storytelling through digital media.
Female Aboriginal Business Leader Award (Kalgoorlie)
Winner: Melissa Dimer – Melissa’s Indigenous Cleaning
Honoured for her leadership, resilience, and dedication to providing employment and opportunity for Aboriginal people in the Goldfields.
Female Aboriginal Business Leader Award (Perth)
Winner: Raquel Todd – Blak Line
Celebrated for innovation in branding, design, and cultural inclusion, Raquel has built Blak Line into a standout Aboriginal creative agency.
Male Aboriginal Business Leader Award
Winner: Rohan Dimer – Swish Auto Electrics & Swish Power Solutions
Acknowledged for excellence in trades and mentoring, Rohan has created a respected Aboriginal owned business known for quality and reliability.
Aboriginal Business Ally of the Year
Winner: Jarahfire Drilling Exploration – Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Recognised for outstanding support, training, and cultural awareness initiatives that strengthen partnerships and opportunities for Aboriginal people.
Celebrating Community Champions: A heartfelt thank you to the Wangka team from the Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre for joining us at the award night. Your presence and ongoing work to preserve and promote Aboriginal languages across the region is deeply appreciated. (More about their recent achievements will feature in our next newsletter — for now, check them out here.
A Big thanks also to Anglicare WA & The Parenting Connection WA for supporting families across the Goldfields-Esperance region – connect with them here.
Celebrating Aboriginal Business Excellence
The evening united business leaders, sponsors, and community members in a powerful celebration of achievement, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future of Aboriginal enterprise across the region.
The Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber extends its sincere gratitude to its Principal Partner, Mineral Resources, whose support was instrumental in bringing this milestone event to life. We also warmly acknowledge the contributions of our valued sponsors & supporters – Synergy, Northern Star Resources, BHP, AngloGold Ashanti, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission, whose commitment made this celebration of achievement and connection possible – Thank you all!
Corin Arcaro represented Northern Star Resources as one of the presenters
Gratitude and Acknowledgements
Judging Panel: A heartfelt thank you to our judging panel for their time, expertise, and thoughtful consideration in selecting this year’s winners.
Venue Staff : Our sincere thanks to the Hannans Club team for their professionalism and support in making the evening run seamlessly.
GABC Board Members: We acknowledge and thank our dedicated GABC Board, past and present, for their leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to our community. Their guidance continues to shape the success and direction of the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber.🔗 View full board listing on our website
Former Staff : We also extend our gratitude to those who have contributed to GABC’s journey over the year. Shaun Atkinson, former Stronger Business Coordinator, who is currently enjoying life in Bali! We wish him all the best.
Almetra Bethlehem, former General Manager, and a continuing ally of the Chamber, whose leadership helped shape GABC’s growth, has also generously volunteered her time to support key initiatives such as the Yuwa Conference & Expo 2025. Her ongoing commitment to Aboriginal business and community development continues to be deeply valued.
Current Staff: In addition to General Manager, Melissa Tombs, we extend our thanks to Rachael Henze (Accounts).While she normally works remotely from northern WA, Rachael travelled to the Goldfields to celebrate with us and offer her support throughout the evening – thank you!
Above: GEDC Team with GABC Chair and GM.
The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC), with offices in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance, brings together a diverse and highly skilled team dedicated to supporting regional growth and community outcomes across the largest region in Western Australia. We encourage you to learn more about their outstanding team [via this link], and we extend our thanks to GEDC for their continued support and valued partnership across many of our events and workshops.
Guests: Blessings Masuku, Regional Lead, Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) based in Goldfields, with Adam Strelein, Director City & Community at the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
From the Stronger Business Coordinator: I had the privilege of experiencing this incredible night first-hand and sharing this reflection with our members.
If I’ve missed acknowledging anyone who contributed, please accept my sincere apologies. It was truly a community effort! Future newsletters will showcase the achievements and stories of Aboriginal businesses, and I warmly invite you to share your news.
Michael Ezedyar
Stronger Business Coordinator Working days: Mon to Thurs
Mob. 0458 653 339
Now Joining GABC
Celebrating the newest members of our business community WINYA!
Winya Indigenous Furniture is Australia’s only Indigenous‑owned commercial furniture company, delivering sustainable, award‑winning designs while creating meaningful Indigenous employment pathways.
🌐www.winya.com.au
☎ 1300 184 794
📩 info@winya.com.au
“Winya Indigenous Commercial Furniture is an Indigenous‑owned and controlled business founded in 2015 by Kamilaroi woman Debbie Barwick, CEO of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and Chairperson of the First Australians Chamber of Commerce, alongside a team of commercial furniture industry professionals.”
Member Spotlight
Nikola Ulrich, Minniegootha Catering
Congrats to Nikola Ulrich (Nikki) founder of Minniegootha Catering 2025 Youth Award Winners ,Young Cultural Leaders!
For six years, Nikola has grown Minniegootha Catering into a respected Aboriginal‑owned business in Kalgoorlie, specialising in bush foods, Indigenous flavours, and cultural hospitality experiences. Her catering brings people together through food, while also showcasing the richness of Aboriginal culture and connection to Country.
As a proud member of the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber, Minniegootha contributes to the region’s diverse business landscape, standing alongside industries from mining and civil construction to tourism and design. Nikola’s story reflects the Chamber’s mission: celebrating Aboriginal enterprise, creating opportunities, and strengthening community. For Nikki’s contact detail, please refer to GABC Member Profile here
Small Business Development Corporation online courses
Digital Marketing Essentials: 02 November 2025 – 2pm to 5pm Cost $20
How to Write a Business Plan: 12 November 2025 – 2pm to 5pm Cost: $20
Contracting and Capability Statements: 19 November 2025, 9am to 12pm Cost $20
We’re proud to share that GABC has been selected as a Finalist in the 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Awards, under the Cultural Inclusion Award category!
This recognition comes in a record-breaking year, with 134 nominations across 11 categories and only 33 finalists chosen by an independent judging panel.
✨ Even more exciting, our General Manager, Melissa, will be representing GABC at the Awards Gala this Friday, November 7, at Crown Perth. A huge thank you to Mineral Resources for supporting us and making it possible for GABC to be there on the night.
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder has announced an upcoming information session on the Goldfields Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).
“Join us for an information session for employers exploring how the Goldfields DAMA is creating real workforce solutions across the region. Hear from program representatives about pathways to recruit and retain skilled workers in the Goldfields, and where to next as we transition towards WA DAMA.” City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Friday, 14 November 2025. Time: 9am–1pm📍The Tower Hotel Free event | Finger food provided 🔗Register here
🌍 GABC at the World Indigenous Business Forum 2025 Exciting Times Ahead!
We were honoured to have our General Manager, Melissa Tombs, represent GABC at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Melbourne last week. The event brought together Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs, and organisations from across the globe — a powerful space for sharing knowledge, building networks, and sparking opportunities for Indigenous business.
And this is just the start! With the Diversity & Inclusion Awards Gala this Friday, a major new partnership announcement coming soon, and planning already underway for 2026 initiatives, there’s a lot happening at GABC. Stay tuned next week’s newsletter will have more big updates you won’t want to miss!
📢 Have Your Say – GABC Survey for Aboriginal Businesses
At GABC, your voice matters. We’re inviting all Aboriginal businesses, members and non‑members alike to complete our short, confidential survey.
Your feedback will help us shape services, 2026 Calendar (events and workshops), strengthen support, and deliver what matters most to you. Click forms.office.com to access the survey. Thank you.
Want to become a GABC Member?
The GABC membership group boasts a wide range of services across the mining, industrial, commercial and civil spaces, and with regular member additions, our list of capabilities continues to grow. Please e-mail enquiries@gab.org.au to receive the membership information and form.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber (GABC) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work, travel and live. We celebrate the diversity of all Aboriginal people and their ongoing culture and connection to country. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging and acknowledge those that are members of the chamber.