Connellan Airways Trust Chair Mr Mark Coffey has announced the “Maganda Makers Business Club” project as the recipient of the Outback Major Grant in 2023. The indigenous-led project is a collaboration between Kimberley Jiyigas, Good Return and the Menzies Foundation. Receiving $27,000, the project is using the vehicle of enterprise to drive social and economic transformation for Kimberley Indigenous women and their communities.

The Outback Major Grant 2023 focuses on ‘Sustainable, Innovative Services’ in the outback. The Maganda Makers Business Club - Personal Smarts program will be collaborating with Indigenous women entrepreneurs mentoring Maganda Makers (participants) as they navigate the personal and professional hurdles that emerge in business.

“Ultimately, this program improves the financial strength and empowerment of women, their families, and their communities in very remote Australia. The innovative approach to long term change for the participants, is impressive and we look forward to seeing participant outcomes” Mr Coffey commented.

The project is grassroots led, with a trauma informed approach to capacity building, maintaining links to cultural inclusiveness and real-life support for women in the Kimberley. “Business Builder Navigators” (business mentors) work with up to 100 aspiring and emerging businesswomen to develop and manage business as an entrepreneur, teaching money management, and business skills, across a range of industries. It is supporting participants to obtain the resources required to drive social and economic transformation for themselves, and their families.

The project increases successful Indigenous businesswomen on-country through an innovative  mentorship program that role-models and upskills through relatable examples of women acting to grow through business.

“Founded on a strengths-based model, the program honours and amplifies Aboriginal Women’s wisdom and non-linear ways of working. This means taking as long as is needed to see sustained change emerge for Indigenous women entrepreneurs and their communities.” said Kimberley Jiyigas Managing Director Natasha Short.

“We are honoured to be working alongside Kimberley Indigenous women who have dreams and aspirations for themselves and their communities and are taking action to pursue them. This grant will support their local leadership” said Good Return CEO Shane Nichols.

“We are pleased to be supporting such an innovative approach to capacity building in a very remote region.” said Mr. Coffey.

The Trust was established by E.J Connellan (the NT pioneer, aviator, and pastoralist) and the Connellan Airlines shareholders in 1981 following the sale of the NT based airline. Due to the generosity of many and the efforts of E.J Connellan, the Trust continues to support people in Outback Australia through a variety of grants and scholarships 40 years later.

For information on the Trust or to support our work through a donation visit www.connellanairwaystrust.org.au