INDIA NEWS
Oct 16-31, 2021 - Vol 2, Issue 8
NEWS FROM QUEENSLAND
Olympic growth plan for Central Queensland’s Indigenous businesses Brisbane, October 8: Indigenous business owners and operators will be given the opportunity to have their say on what they need to grow and shine in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said this was the focus of a series of yarns and other events being held throughout Queensland during October as the nation celebrates Indigenous Business Month. On 22 October, Rockhampton will host a Meet the Buyers event at Walter Reid Auditorium. It will offer advice on how to improve and sustain working relationships between mainstream suppliers and Deadly Directory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. The event is partnered between DESBT and Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DSDSATSIP). “The Palaszczuk Government has set a 10-year goal to foster and encourage Indigenous business across the state in the lead up to 2032 Olympics,” Minister Farmer said.
“We want to ensure Indigenous businesses are best positioned to take advantage of this once in a lifetime event and can tap into opportunities to supply their goods and services pre and post the Games.
“Collectively Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses contribute more than $1 billion a year to the national economy, with revenues growing on average at 12.5 per cent annually,” Ms Lauga said
“It is our intention that Indigenous businesses in Queensland, particularly potential government suppliers, will be given every opportunity to thrive in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.”
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said the Queensland Government was delivering a number of events during Indigenous Business Month to get the conversation started.
Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke, said that Indigenous Business Month is a great way for Indigenous business owners and intenders to talk about their business, source information and most importantly, collaborate so they can make plans to grow.
“Indigenous Business Month is a golden opportunity for Indigenous businesses to find out how to secure additional contracts, achieve greater representation in supply chains, and to encourage more Indigenous businesses to consider providing services to the government,” Minister Crawford said.
“Indigenous Business Month is a great chance to highlight the important role Indigenous businesses play in the Queensland economy,” Mr O’Rourke said Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga, said the backing of small business is at the heart of the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, and indigenous businesses play a vital role in that.
“We are taking every opportunity to provide all the support required so they can grow in capability, capacity and in number. “The 2032 Olympics will be a very special opportunity to showcase our state’s smartest, most
creative and talented Indigenous businesses to the world. “This strategic focus will ensure that beyond 2032, Indigenous businesses have a solid impact on the local economy and have created a positive impression globally.” Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation Stirling Hinchliffe said during Indigenous Business Month, ‘yarns’ or Indigenous business forums will be held throughout the state. “Yarning2032 events are important face to face engagement opportunities for Indigenous business owners who currently are or wish to supply to Government, to learn more about the Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy,” Minister Hinchliffe said. “Discussions from Yarning2032 will inform activities over the coming years to support Indigenous businesses to grow in readiness for the Games. “The yarns will be co-developed with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation
Reference Group who are outstanding entrepreneurs, business leaders and researchers who provide strategic advice to government on matters that impact First Nations communities.” Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation Reference Group (BIRG) member Leann Wilson welcomed the collaboration. “It is great to be co-developing and co-delivering important information with the Government to ensure Indigenous businesses are bringing their unique leadership, skills and attributes to the table,” Ms Wilson said. October marks the 7th annual National Indigenous Business Month. The initiative was co-founded and is run each year by Dr Michelle Evans of Melbourne Business School, Ms Mayrah Sonter of 33 Creative and Ms Leesa Watego of Iscariot Media. For more information about Indigenous Business Months events being held in Queensland visit www.business.qld.gov.au/ indigenous-business-month
GOPIO Gold Coast hosts Diwali event
G
OPIO Gold Coast hosted Gold Coast’s first outdoor Diwali fair event on Sunday 10 October. The celebration was a huge success with over 2000 attendees, including many invited dignitaries. Broadwater Parklands was buzzing with a multitude of stalls, food trucks and activities for the families to enjoy. Attendees browsed stalls displaying Indian jewellery, ethnic costumes and home décor, while children enjoyed free unlimited access to jumping castles, henna tattoos and face painting. One of the unique highlights was the LED Bollywood stilting dolls. The crowd were thoroughly entertained throughout the evening with a mix of Bollywood beats, cultural stage performances, live musicians, vocal singing artists and DJ Desi – Praneel Sinha. The Gold Coast skyline was lit up in the true spirit of Diwali with a phenomenal
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display of fireworks to conclude the evening festivities. "GOPIO GC takes this opportunity to give a BIG thank you to all of their wonderful sponsors: Study Gold Coast, Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast, Thiel Partners, LJ Hooker – Mr Sanjay Agarwal," read a statement by the organisation. "The GOPIO GC Diwali Fair was a wonderful opportunity for the people of Indian origin and multicultural communities to come together to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Diwali. GOPIO GC would like to express their gratitude to everyone who attended the event and wholeheartedly supported it to make it a huge success. "A special thanks to all of the community volunteers and performers in working with the GOPIO GC Executive committee to bring this memorable event together," it further read.
GOPIO GC Executive Committee President: Mr Pradip Gorasia Vice President: Mr Mokhtiar Singh 2nd Vice President: Mr Pushpinder Oberoi Secretary: Ms Madhuri Soni Treasurer: Dr Rajendra Nayak Joint Secretary: Mr Manish Saini Assistant Treasurer: Ms Priyanka Daga Youth Ambassador: Shrey Baluja
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