GABC Newsletter | 23 October 2025
Today’s
Top Stories
Today’s top news stories and interesting reads of the week.
History Made: Celebrating the GABC Inaugural 2025 Award Winners.
The Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber’s Inaugural 2025 Awards Night was nothing short of unforgettable. Leaders, innovators, and changemakers gathered at Hannan’s Club in Kalgoorlie for an evening of celebration, connection, and recognition. From inspiring stories of resilience to ground breaking achievements, the night shone a spotlight on the remarkable businesses shaping the future of the region. With every round of applause, it became clear: this was more than an awards night and it was the beginning of a legacy.
GABC Joins Regional Leaders at Eastern Goldfields First Nations Council Forum
The Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber (GABC) CEO Melissa Tombs proudly attended the Eastern Goldfields First Nations Council (EGFNC) forum held on Thursday, 16th October, where key Aboriginal organisations from across the region gathered to engage in critical dialogue around the four key priority areas of Closing the Gap.
Hosted by Bill Ring, EGFNC Chair, and Leanne Eriksen, Vice Chair, the forum brought together Aboriginal leaders, community organisations, and regional stakeholders to align efforts and strategies that directly impact Aboriginal communities in the Goldfields.
The forum emphasised the importance of shared responsibility and collective impact, recognising that long-term change must be locally led and culturally informed.
The meeting also explored avenues for inter-agency collaboration, capacity-building, and leveraging regional strengths to deliver tangible outcomes. There was broad consensus that a united approach among local Aboriginal corporations will be key to influencing policy and delivering services that meet the real needs of communities.
The Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber looks forward to continuing this collaboration and working towards a stronger, more equitable future for Aboriginal people across the region.
Expressions of Interest
FREE
SEWB & Mental Health Training Workshops
The BEGA selected training suites are all about building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. We deliver hands-on, culturally safe workshops designed to empower your team and community – for more information please click here
First Nations International Fellowship & Partnership Grants – Round Two
Applications are now open for the second round of the First Nations International Fellowship and Partnership Grants Program.
Open: 20 October 205, until 14 November 2025.
Visit the Grant Opportunity page here (Grant Opportunity ID: GO7993 via GrantConnect)
The first round saw strong interest and success, and we’re looking forward to strong participation from WA again.
Small Business Development Corporation online courses
Track Web Traffic with Google Analytics: 28 October 2025 9am to 11am – Online
Connect your Online and In: 29 October 2025 12noon to 2pm Online
Lift your Marketing with Generative AI Tools: 03 November 2025 – 9:30am to 12:30pm – Online
Community Consultation – REAL Program Phase 2
A community consultation session for Phase 2 of the Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program will be held in Kalgoorlie on Wednesday, 12 November 2025.
RSVP here: Register via Eventbrite
Business support and advice for Indigenous’ businesses in WA
Business support and advice for Indigenous’ businesses in Western Australia
Resources for Aboriginal Businesses
• Local Capability Fund: Aboriginal Business Round
Matched grants (up to $50,000) to help Aboriginal SMEs build capacity to supply to government and private sector. Subscribe via DEED for updates on the next round.
• DPIRD Aboriginal Economic Development Program
Supports Aboriginal business and employment opportunities through governance, pastoral programs, and farm resilience initiatives.
• Aboriginal Business Capability Building (ABCB) Program
Tailored support in tendering, business development, and governance. Delivered by Morrgul (regional WA) and Waalitj Hub (South West & Great Southern).
• Aboriginal Business Directory WA
A free directory connecting Aboriginal businesses with buyers across WA.
• Aboriginal Procurement Policy
Guidance for Aboriginal businesses preparing for WA Government contracting opportunities.
• The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Indigenous Support Program
The “Reach Out” program provides tailored business and financial literacy support.
• Indigenous Business Australia
Offers finance, partnerships, and advice to support Indigenous business growth.
• The Waalitj Hub
Business incubation, tendering, and joint venture support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs.
• Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Connects Noongar and Aboriginal businesses with the wider WA business community.
• Supply Nation
Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses. Free registration in Indigenous Business Direct.
• Many Rivers Microfinance
Microenterprise and community economic development support for First Nations Australians.
• Yarnline
A call‑back service to help Indigenous businesses navigate intellectual property and Indigenous Knowledge.
More information
- Find out more about Indigenous Business Month.
- Explore the range of free and low cost small business support services provided by the SBDC.
GABC Survey for all Aboriginal Businesses, you don’t have to be a member to participate in the survey
We at GABC greatly value your input and want to ensure that we are providing the services you need most. We invite you to complete a brief survey to share your thoughts on what services you would like to see from GABC. Your feedback is crucial in helping us tailor our offerings to better serve you. Thank you for your time and participation.
Click forms.office.com to access the survey. The survey is confidential.
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. We currently have around 84 business members this includes 64 Aboriginal businesses, with 38 of them operating specifically in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
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.