“CityNews” spoke with successful Aboriginal business owners who are making life easier or more accessible for communities far and wide.

Whether for health care or accommodation, therapy or cybersecurity, there are businesses in Canberra with a focus on indigenous people.

“CityNews” spoke with successful Aboriginal business owners who are making life easier or more accessible for communities far and wide.

Changing perceptions through indigenous cybersecurity

WILLYAMA Services was established in 2016 and is a 100 per cent Aboriginal and veteran owned cybersecurity services company, says founder and CEO Kieran Hynes.

“Willyama is committed to the advancement of opportunities for indigenous Australians through our vocational education and training program,” he says.

“The program is designed to empower indigenous people and break entrenched cycles of disadvantage by providing training, work readiness and a potential career in cybersecurity.

“This is achieved through the successful delivery of services to our clients within the government, commercial and not-for-profit sectors.”

Kieran says Willyama assists customers with all aspects of cyber security.

“Including penetration testing, security governance, risk and compliance, vulnerability assessments, certification and accreditation, information-security registered assessors program assessments and ‘build to requirement’ secure mission-critical IT systems,” he says.

“Choosing to work with Willyama is choosing to help change the perception of indigenous businesses across Australia.”

Kieran says he is a Worimi man from the Port Stevens area, who grew up in Broken Hill.

“In 2020 we were just three blokes operating out of the back of a bottle shop,” he says.

“Now we have 75+ full-time staff across Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Adelaide.

“We’re working with the community to promote indigenous employment opportunities wherever we can. That’s why Willyama works with its clients to identify indigenous employment opportunities in on-going and new commercial engagements.”

Willyama Services, Level 1, 12 Albany Street, Fyshwick. Call 6235 5885, or visit willyama.com.au

Honoring tradition and embracing a thriving future

BURBIRRA is a company with a strong mission to help people overcome their past and embrace a thriving future, says CEO Dr Karen Demmery.

“We are driven by an unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, we pride ourselves on having designed innovative programs tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and communities that actually make lasting change,” she says.

Burbirra is a member of the Canberra Indigenous Business Network. 

Karen says she is Wiradjuri from Dubbo and Barkenji from Bourke, so a lived experience is at the core of Burbirra.

“Burbirra takes great pride in offering services that cater to the unique needs and aspirations of indigenous people,” she says.

“Our company recognises the importance of cultural sensitivity and the significance of preserving and honoring indigenous traditions, knowledge, and values.”

Karen says she has been doing this work for more than two decades.

“I got kicked out of school in year nine. I was told that I would never amount to anything, and for a long time I believed it,” she says.

“I had challenges with drugs and alcohol, and was on my way to an early death, but my son changed everything when he asked: ‘Who are you and what have you done with my mother?’

“I knew I had to change or his future would be the same as mine, and that wasn’t acceptable.

“We care about people, we love supporting those who are just like I was, not believing they’re worthy or they matter.”

Burbirra. Call 6189 1244, or visit burbirra.com.au

Health services in a safe environment

FROM its humble beginnings as a temporary medical service set up at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy site, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services has grown into an important part of the health services provided to indigenous people in the national capital.

In the Wiradjuri language, Winnunga Nimmityjah means “strong health”, says the services’ CEO Julie Tongs.

Tongs’ vision as CEO, a role she has held since 1997, has always been for Winnunga to be a leader in the provision of primary health care.

Some of the clinical services operating out of the purpose-built facility include a dental clinic, audiology, optometry, physiotherapy, podiatry, alcohol and drug services, a needle-exchange program, mental health services and a diabetes clinic.

“All Winnunga wants to do is give people an opportunity to be better, to feel good about themselves, and to start to work through some of the layers of trauma that Aboriginal people have experienced,” Tongs says.

Since then it has grown into a pivotal healthcare service, which last year saw some 7000 clients. 

Providing around 60,000 occasions of service to its clients annually, Winnunga offers health care to people living in the ACT and across the border. 

Clients come from all walks of life, Tongs says.

“They come to us because they feel safe here and not judged.”

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah. Call 6284 6222 or visit winnunga.org.au

Helping indigenous people thrive in health sector

INDIGENOUS Allied Health Australia (IAHA) is a national not-for-profit, community controlled and member-led workforce development Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation, says CEO Donna Murray.

“We have members across allied health disciplines working with public, private and community sectors,” she says.

“IAHA has been based in the ACT since 2009, and the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy (the ACT Health Academy), is one of the five sites nationally formed as part of IAHA’s long-term commitment to the territory.

“In 2021, IAHA launched the ACT Health Academy in partnership with the University of Canberra and Canberra Institute of Technology, which supports students through a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance, while undertaking their year 12 certificate.

“Participating students, in years 10-12, spend three days at school and two days on their apprenticeship, where they meet their qualification requirements, and undertake work placements at IAHA and a range of host employers across Canberra.

“Some of the host employers and partners include the University of Canberra, Canberra Health Services, and the ACT Education Directorate.”

Donna says IAHA’s first three Health Academy graduates completed the program in December 2022, and have put their qualifications into practice.

“One of the graduates has secured a job as an allied health assistant with Canberra Health Services,” she says.

“Another graduate has continued to study a Certificate III in Community Services, and was recently recognised as ACT NAIDOC Young Person of the Year. 

“The third graduate is now undertaking a Bachelor of Midwifery at the University of Canberra as an inaugural recipient of a new scholarship.

Donna says she knows the program has already made a difference to their past and existing students and it will continue to make a difference to our community.

“The more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we have working in health, and across a broad range of sectors, the more sustainable and culturally responsive the local workforce will be across the ACT, and therefore, working with our people to live long healthy lives,” she says.

“IAHA is working with key stakeholders and employers to build their knowledge, understanding and practice to support our young peoples’ success.

“IAHA also works towards promoting health careers more broadly, and is active in the ACT community, hosting and participating in careers days, sponsoring NAIDOC events bringing national events to the ACT.

“IAHA provides its trainees and members with support and mentoring to ensure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are entering the allied health workforce.”

Donna says IAHA’s work goes beyond getting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work in health: but strengthening the mainstream health sector to understand their role in providing culturally safe and responsive care to meet the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“IAHA also delivers group training services, cultural education and training, workforce development consultancy services and other wraparound supports for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health workforce, along with other work in community engagement, advocacy, research and policy and program development,” she says.

“In a display of cultural responsiveness and working with and for the community, our organisation has pioneered in creating a culturally safe, school-based traineeship program in the ACT to improve the health, education, and employment outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

“Through these programs, IAHA demonstrates a first-hand impact on the

immediate wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT as well as setting up sustainable change into the future.”

Indigenous Allied Health Australia, Alia House, Ground Floor 9-11 Napier Close, Deakin. Call 6285 1010, or visit iaha.com.au

Recruitment company committed to helping

ONPOINT 365 is a proud indigenous business making a big difference with passion, integrity and trust, says operations director Susan O’Neil.

“Our connection to country is to the Larrakia Nation, in Darwin in the NT, we are Cubillo/Lee mob,” she says.

“Onpoint 365 was established in 2016, encouraged by the IPP initiative and wanting to create a legacy for my two daughters.

“Onpoint 365 is a recruitment and professional development business. We are a 100 per cent Aboriginal owned and managed company.

“We are certified suppliers with Supply Nation, and 30 per cent of our core staff are indigenous.”

Today, Susan says onpoint 365 has a head office in Canberra, and provides national coverage, with more than 100 employees across Australia.

“Onpoint provides quality candidates for labour-hire, temporary, fixed-term, permanent placements including ICT,” she says.

“We are experienced in executive search, candidate assessments, recruitment process outsourcing and scribe services.

“We work with non-indigenous clients too, and we were Canberra’s first indigenous recruitment agency.”

Susan says she is excited to work with such an outstanding group of professionals with commitment and passion.

“Leading a team of people who strive their utmost every day is a real pleasure and privilege,” she says.

Onpoint 365, Suite 1, Level 7, 15 London Circuit. Call 1300 111365, or visit onpoint365.com.au

Proudly lifting others to success

JULIE Okely says she is a proud Aboriginal woman of Kamilaroi descent, and a serial indigipreneur.

“All First Nations (AFN) provides a digital platform for indigenous suppliers to market their offering to the online community,” she says.

“AFN will be used by individual consumers, businesses and government departments to source indigenous sellers to provide services and products.

“Knowing my heritage, my mob and how I felt when I finally understood my bloodline, I believe in this project and will be a humble Kamilaroi woman that stands proud in the success of AFN.”

Julie says culture and heritage are very important to her.

“I am constantly working to elevate my First Nations community and encourage growth and expansion within the Australian economy,” she says.

“There are many benefits to balancing business and motherhood as it is how we have done it for thousands of years.

“Trade and bartering were where many of our women’s talents lie. My business has taught me compassion, and a greater level of empathy when understanding the challenges and fears that many indigenous ‘Ausmums’ must overcome during the growth of their dreams and self-identity – which is generally the case when it comes to most entrepreneurial peoples.

“It can be challenging to be a successful businesswoman whilst raising a family, but don’t wait for tomorrow, there will always be time in today to start your dream!”

All First Nations. Visit allfirstnations.com.au