GABC Newsletter: | 10 February 2026
GABC Newsletter | 10 February 2026
Today’s Top Stories
With Gratitude and What’s Next
Note from the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber
Melissa Tombs will be stepping down from her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber. Melissa will continue to support GABC in a reduced capacity while we progress the recruitment of her replacement.
We sincerely thank Melissa for the energy, passion, and leadership she has brought to GABC over the past 18 months. Her contribution has left a lasting impact on our organisation and our members. We wish Melissa a safe journey back to the East Coast and every success in her next chapter.
Dear Members, Partners, Board, and Friends,
My time has come for me to farewell the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber as I prepare to return home to the East Coast. This decision has not been an easy one, because this organisation, and the people within it, have meant so much to me both professionally and personally.
I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. From receiving the CCIWA State Diversity and Inclusion Award, to delivering the Yuwa Aboriginal Business Conference, and celebrating our community through our very first Aboriginal Business Awards during Indigenous Business Month in October 2025, these milestones reflect the strength, talent, and ambition of Aboriginal businesses across the Goldfields. None of this would have been possible without the collective passion and belief that sits at the heart of this Chamber.
I would like to sincerely thank our major sponsors, Mineral Resources and BHP, for your continued support, trust, and commitment to Aboriginal business growth in our region. Your backing has played a critical role in turning ideas into outcomes and creating real opportunities for our members.
I would also like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission for their ongoing support and collaboration. Thank you to Kris Starcevich and Regan Brewer for your partnership, advocacy, and belief in the importance of Aboriginal business development across our region. A very special shout-out to Jude Daley and Gary Bonney — your encouragement, guidance, and genuine commitment have meant more to me than words can express, and I am deeply grateful for the role you have played in our journey.
To our Board — Rowena Leslie, Judd Harris, Katrina Stubbs, Ryan Gordon, and Terry Gordon — thank you for your leadership, guidance, and unwavering support. It has been an honour to work alongside such dedicated and values-driven people, and I am deeply grateful for the wisdom and encouragement you have given me throughout my time as CEO.
Thank you to the staff — Rachael, for fantastic administration support, and Shaun, for his former role as Stronger Business Coordinator. Without you, I could not have achieved such a rewarding and successful past 18 months at GABC.
Most importantly, thank you to all our Aboriginal business members. Your resilience, innovation, and determination inspire me every day. It has been a privilege to advocate for you, walk beside you, and witness your growth and success.
While I may be leaving my role, my connection to this organisation and this community will always remain. I leave knowing that the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber is respected and has great hope for an exciting future.
Thank you for the memories, the friendships, and the shared achievements. I wish you all continued success and look forward to cheering you on from afar.
With gratitude and respect,
Melissa Tombs
Chief Executive Officer
Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber
Member News & Highlights
We’d love to showcase the incredible work happening across our members in upcoming newsletters. If you have news, achievements, events, updates or stories you’d like featured, please send any content or information through to enquiries@gab.org.au — we’d be delighted to help share your story with our community.
Who we are
We are a network of First Nations people, community organisations, land councils, unions, academics, industry groups, technical advisors, legal experts, renewables companies and others, working in partnership to ensure that First Nations communities share in the benefits of the clean energy boom.
Webinars
Our webinars are designed to address the unique opportunities and challenges faced by First Nations communities, bringing together experts, leaders and community members who share a common interest for clean energy.
Through our engaging and informative sessions, we will delve into a wide range of topics including Negotiations for Traditional Owners, Energy Security, Renewable Energy Country Planning, Renewable Energy Job Opportunities, and more.
Our esteemed speakers will share practical knowledge, success stories, and best practices relevant to First Nations communities, enabling you to leverage clean energy solutions for community empowerment.
The Western Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute are inviting Aboriginal women & men who are looking to grow in their leadership journey to apply for one of their programs.
Yorga Djenna Bidi
Aboriginal women, aged 25 and over.
With over 300 Alumni, this program continues to bring Aboriginal women together to grow as leaders.
Click here to learn more & apply for Yorga Djenna Bidi
Maaman Djenna Koorl
Aboriginal men, aged 25 and over.
WAALI’s newest program for Aboriginal men, already empowering participants to take off on their leadership path.
Click here to learn more & apply for Maaman Djenna Koorl
Emerging Leaders
Aboriginal women & men, aged 18 to 25.
A 4-day residential program launching young Aboriginal women and men on their leadership journey.
Click here to learn more & apply for Emerging Leaders
Will my business idea work?
We’ve all been there at some point, unhappy at work and looking for a career change, or just wanting to make a go of it on your own.
Starting a new business is a big deal. To help you decide if your business idea could work, we’ve put together some thought starters to get your head (and idea) in the right space.
Get to know your audience
What problem is your product or service trying to solve? Who are you solving this problem for, and is it something they would be willing to pay for?
Knowing your ideal target audience – where they live, what they do, how they make purchases and understanding their lifestyle – all helps paint a picture of how feasible your idea is. The information you gather about your potential customers will also help you market your business later on.
Is there a demand?
If you think your idea has never been done before, take the time to carry out some initial research. If it has, was it successful? Could you make your idea stand out from the competition with a unique selling proposition to show no one else is doing it like you?
Contact us for free access to IBISWorld’s extensive market research and industry benchmarking. Just message us on live chat and we’ll arrange access for you.
Who are your competitors?
For a start-up to be successful you really need to know who you’re up against. Make a list of potential competitors and scrutinise what they are doing, the good and the bad, to find a way to do it better.
Things to look for include:
- the quality of their products or services
- pricing
- reputation
- how they’re marketing their brand.
Going through this process will help you identify opportunities to fill gaps not currently offered by your competitors, and establish what’s unique about your business.
Adding up the numbers
Forecasting your financials will help determine whether your idea is going to sink or swim. To give your business every chance of success the key is to have a low investment outlay and a high profit margin.
Do you know what initial investment you’ll need to make to get your business off the ground? How about the ongoing costs of running your business, and what you’ll need to break even?
It’s important to get your pricing correct from the start. What value is your product or service providing? Research your competitors’ price points, understand what customers would be prepared to pay and how that stacks up against your expenses.
If you need help working out your cost of goods or breakeven amounts, our free business templates and tools can help guide you.
If you’ve confidently ticked all these off your list, then you’re well on your way to building a solid business plan and making a real go of it.
Are there any key areas you need to upskill in?
Being a business owner means wearing different hats. Understanding the essential business skills needed will help you identify your strengths, what you need to work on and which areas it’s best to pay for specialist advice (like a lawyer or accountant).
If you’re looking to learn new skills you can use in your business today, check out our practical small business workshops. Each session is just $20 to attend (thanks to funding from the State Government) and you’ll learn from subject matter experts that have experience in running their own business.
Thinking of starting a business?
We have a great range of free information and resources to help you get started, including:
- helpful information on starting a business and business templates to download
- our business advisory service for current and aspiring small businesses owners
- our free Starting a Business workshop which is run both in-person and online.
Save The Date!
MEEDAC are excited to announce the date for the 2026 MEEDAC Goldfields (Coolgardie) Community and Employment Expo
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.
