As part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations, CGU Insurance has announced the winners of its CGU Kayku Kumpa awards program that aims to celebrate and recognise First Nations small-business owners and provide opportunities for their growth. Each winning small-business owner will receive a $5000 grant to go towards their professional development to support the growth of their small business.
“As an insurer of businesses around Australia, we proudly support the ambition of small-business owners,” CGU Indigenous Engagement Manager, Phil Lockyer, said. “We were really impressed with the quality of entries we received from many unique and innovative First Nations small businesses.
“We know it’s been a tough year for many small businesses due to the pandemic, so we’re proud to be able to support the growth and skills development of five First Nations small-business owners each with a $5000 grant,” Lockyer added.
The five winners of the CGU Kayku Kumpa Awards are:
- Professor Gregory Phillips, Founder and CEO of Abstarr Consulting – a consulting agency that works with communities, businesses and governments to provide strategic solutions and training in cultural safety and decolonisation.
- Raelene Talbot, Founder and Managing Director of Barra-gi – an agency that sources and creates employment opportunities, provide mentoring services and creates job-ready programs for Indigenous people by partnering with non-Indigenous businesses in the corporate and private sector.
- Ashleigh Pengelly, Founder and Owner of Little Black Duck Aus – a small business that sells unique Aboriginal hand-painted teapots, serving boards, terracotta pots and wall art.
- David Parkin, Founder and Managing Director of Luggarrah – an education management business that runs events and workshops in regional areas to upskill First Nations people and communities and provide them with career opportunities within the technology industry.
- Leisa Wehlin, Founder and Managing Director of Yellow Balloon – a marketing and digital agency that specialises in helping small and medium businesses across Australia succeed through connected marketing strategies that create enduring customer connections.
The CGU Kayku Kumpa awards program was run as part of Indigenous Business Month. It takes its name from the local language of the Gringai people of the Wonnarua nation of the Hunter Valley in NSW which means “strong yesterday, stronger tomorrow.”
CGU’s parent company, IAG, launched the Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan in 2019, an initiative that provides employment and internship opportunities to First Nations people, as well as supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
