We are excited to announce the launch of a new Mentorship Program tailored specifically for our members within the creative space. This initiative aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and growth among First Nations creative businesses by connecting emerging talents with experienced mentors in the industry.

Program Overview 

Our Mentorship Program is designed to:

• Provide guidance and support to emerging creative talents.

• Facilitate knowledge-sharing and skill development.

• Encourage networking and collaboration within the creative community.

• Empower First Nations businesses to thrive and succeed in the creative sector.

Who Should Apply?

Established professionals and business leaders in the creative industry who are willing to share their expertise, offer advice, and support the growth of mentees.

Benefits of Participating

An opportunity to give back to the community, shape the next generation of creative leaders, and gain fresh perspectives.

How to Apply

To express your interest in becoming a mentor please complete the relevant form linked below by August 11th. We encourage all interested members to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the vibrant First Nations creative community.

This mentorship program is a paid opportunity. Participants will receive financial compensation for their roles as mentors. This arrangement not only underscores the value of their guidance but also incentivises highly qualified individuals to share their expertise.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Kymbal McGrath at 0491 956 295 or kymbalm@kinaway.com.au.

Intercultural NAIDOC Week Book Club Meeting - Saturday July 6th

Take part in a traditional smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country with an Indigenous Elder. Hear from Book Club members as they discuss books aimed for both adults and children that cover First Nations themes. A partnership event between the Monash Interfaith Gathering (MIG) Intercultural Book Club and Monash Libraries for NAIDOC Week.

Boomerang Painting - Wednesday, July 10th

Discover the beauty of Aboriginal art with Boomerang Painting for NAIDOC Week! Dive into dot techniques and storytelling for a unique creative experience. Join us and unleash your artistic spirit!

Westvale Community Centre - 45 Kings Road, Kings Park VIC 3021

Sea Turtle Suncatchers (for children, 6-12 years)  - Wednesday, July 10th

Be inspired this NAIDOC Week by First Nations diverse visual culture and infuse your own stories within wearable art pieces. Age range: Children 6 – 12 years old. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all of our events.

Brimbank City Council uses photography and video within their events for promotions. Photos and video are used for library marketing, social media and website/digital promotions purposes.

NAIDOC Week Film Screening: Wash My Soul in the River's Flow - Thursday, July 11th

Wash My Soul in the River's Flow is a cinematic reinvention of a legendary concert that premiered in 2004. Kura Tungar-Songs from the River was a collaboration between First Nations singer-songwriters Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter working with Paul Grabowsky and the 22-piece Australian Art Orchestra. Using footage combining conversations, rehearsals, and the opening night, with breathtaking images of Hunter's Ngarrindjeri country in South Australia, the film is a portrait of artists at the peak of their powers and a profoundly moving story of loss, love and what it means to truly come 'home'.

VACCA Naidoc Event - Thursday, July 11th

VACCA Wangaratta's is working with Mermaidia Braids in NAIDOC Week which helps to raise awareness about the rich and diverse cultures of Australia's First Nations peoples and promotes reconciliation, respect, and understanding within the broader community. By providing opportunities for people to learn, engage, and celebrate together, VACCA Wangaratta contributes to the ongoing process of healing, empowerment, and recognition for Indigenous Australians.

Dan Sultan XO with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra - Friday, July 12th

This NAIDOC Week, one of Australia’s most loved singer-songwriters, Dan Sultan, joins the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the tenth anniversary of his third studio album, Blackbird. After headlining the Orchestra’s 2023 performance of One Song: The Music of Archie Roach, Dan will reunite with the MSO on this special anniversary to perform songs from the album and hits from his impressive catalogue.

SPECRTUMA - Friday, July 12th

Join us at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda, Victoria, on Friday, July 12th, for a special Aboriginal Art Event as part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations. This year's NAIDOC Week theme is “Keep the fire burning!”

Victorian Pride Centre - 79-81 Fitzroy Street St Kilda, VIC 3182

Learn new skills to start, build and grow your small business by attending a Business Victoria workshop or webinar.

The Small Business Bus travels to locations across Victoria providing advice and support for small businesses in metro and regional areas. Business Recovery Advisers can help you with 1:1 tailored advice to help strengthen your business and position you for recovery. Confidential sessions run for up to 45 mins and are free of charge. Bookings are recommended. Walk-ins are also welcome for our Bus Concierge service which provides general information about support available from Business Victoria.

Whether you’re starting, building, or transforming your business, the Small Business Bus can help you to develop your business ideas and capabilities. Business Recovery Advisers offer free tailored sessions from 10am-4pm at selected locations around Victoria.

Your Business Recovery Adviser can help support you with small business coaching support, continuity and resilience planning, mentorship and capability building, to help businesses reactivate and develop sustainable business models to strengthen and grow throughout the recovery period and beyond.

Take a look at session times and locations for Business buses and workshops, visit the Business Victoria website today.

Kinaway invites you to sign up to our upcoming pitching session, exclusively designed for Indigenous business owners keen on mastering the art of effectively introducing yourself, as well as your business offerings, service and/or products, ensuring you cover all crucial points within a concise timeframe. 

This event promises to equip you with the tools and strategies needed to captivate your audience, elevate your pitch game, refine your communication skills, and unlock new opportunities for business success, leaving a lasting impact.

Towards the end of the online 45-minute session, you will be given the opportunity to put your new learnings to the test by practicing your pitch to the rest of the group in a live environment, if you feel comfortable.

• These sessions are online

• Run for 45 minutes

• Dates - Monday 26th 11am and 4pm,  Wednesday 28th 4pm & Thursday 7th at 11am

For any questions email Kimberly Keen: KimberleyK@Kinaway.com.au

Please fill in the registration link below to confirm your attendance:

Victoria State Government Australia - Major Sponsor

The Victorian Government is working with Victoria’s Aboriginal Communities to deliver a shared vision to support wealth creation and achieve economic parity for Aboriginal Victorians within a generation. This vision is mapped in the Yuma Yirramboi (Invest in Tomorrow) Strategy which was launched in June 2022 and is backed by an investment of $25 million to ensure its delivery.

This strategy sets high expectations and is built on strong and enduring partnerships with Aboriginal Victorians. The Victorian Government is delivering on this strategy by ensuring we prioritise culture, people, business, wealth creation, jobs, and accountability and is addressing ongoing injustices by creating new opportunities for Aboriginal businesses.

International trade missions, like this one, are a critical part of enabling Aboriginal business owners to access export opportunities. Trade missions play an important role in expanding business potential in new markets - building new networks, promoting opportunities and growing operations domestically and internationally. 

By helping businesses to go global, Victorian Government supported trade missions showcase company capabilities and connect people with key international buyers, partners and leaders. Most importantly trade missions allow Aboriginal businesses to connect Indigenous-to-Indigenous businesses and share culture, ideas and challenges.

Victorian Government is investing in trade missions with partners like Kinaway because they strengthen Victorian businesses, create wealth, launch new business ideas and open new jobs. This investment in Victorian Aboriginal businesses is essential for achieving economic parity in a generation.

Purchase Ad Space in the Business Leadership Development Booklet!

The team at Kinaway Chamber of Commerce are venturing to Kansas on the AUS to OZ Trade Mission with the largest delegation of First Nations businesses to ever depart Australia to America in the month of March. We understand that attending an international event of this kind may not always be feasible for all businesses, and we want to ensure that your business gets the recognition it deserves on the global stage.

As a testament to its significance, Kinaway plans to distribute over 4000 copies to key stakeholders throughout the visit to Kansas. This not only guarantees extensive exposure but also positions your business in the spotlight among industry leaders, potential collaborators, a diverse audience, and promises to elevate your business to new heights. This will foster international connections for First Nations businesses that prioritise Indigenous-to-Indigenous trade.

Despite not physically being on the leadership and development mission, this holistic approach ensures that your business not only gains exposure but also establishes meaningful connections, making it a strategic opportunity for growth and recognition within the Indigenous business community.

Benefits

• Raising awareness of First Nations businesses on an international scale

• Exposure of your business’ services to an audience with a wide range of demographic and geographic

• Networking opportunities

• Cost-effective marketing for your business – for the price of up to $1000 members can reach an audience that would generally incur a much higher cost or you would otherwise not have access to

• Tangible advertising – unlike digital advertising which is often deleted and forgotten about, physical advertisements can be looked back on and

• Exposure to Australian and American key stakeholders such as government officials, corporate partners, a range of chambers of commerce as well as fellow Indigenous businesses

Advertising Options

Full page Ad - $1000

• Logo

• Images of your business/products

• QR code to your Capability Statement

• About your business

• Any Contact/social media information

• Website Link

Half page Ad - $500

• Logo

• QR Code of your Capability Statement

• About your business

• Contact information (Email and Number)

To secure your space in this Business Leadership Development booklet, please submit all the required information by March 1st.

For any questions email Alex Martins - AlexM@kinaway.com.au

Australian Open First Nations Day

Free double pass tickets for Kinaway Members!

The AO is the only Grand Slam that celebrates the world's longest continuous living culture at its core.  

Tennis Australia work proudly with local Elders and community members to deliver First Nations Day as part of its year-round commitment to excelling First Nations culture in the sport. After a stirring success in 2022 and 2023 featuring performance art, music and storytelling, First Nations day is now a staple in the AO Inclusion calendar. 

Patrons on AO24 First Nations Day will experience activations and engagement pieces that authentically acknowledge and celebrate the First Nations people and cultures of our tennis community.

Kinaway members can apply for a double ground pass to the Australian Open First Nations Day on Wednesday 17 January. We have 100 double passes to distribute to our members.

EOI closes Friday 12th January 9pm

Pop Up at Queen Victoria Market 2024 EOI

The Queen Victoria Market is offering Kinaway members the opportunity to occupy a “pop-up” for the month of February 2024. The pop up space is in String Bean Alley and is $1460 for the month.

Location: String Bean Alley, Queen Victoria Market, Corner Elizabeth and Victoria Streets Melbourne

Please complete the information in the EOI and let us know whether you would be interested in sharing the “pop up”. Note that completing this form does not guarantee the space. We will contact you on January 9th, with further information.

EOI closes Thursday 11th January at 9pm.

*Please note, a Public Liability Insurance of $20M is required .