Yuma Yirramboi Council members

Yuma Yirramboi supports Aboriginal businesses, employment and wealth creation by improving the economic participation of Aboriginal young people, women, those in regional Victoria and those with disability.?

Meet the Yuma Yirramboi Council members and find out what they’re hoping to achieve in their roles.?

Jason Mifsud?

Yuma Yirramboi Council Co-Chair Jason Mifsud is a proud and active member of the Kirrae, Peek and Tjab Whurrong people of the Gunditjmara nation in south-west Victoria. Jason is passionate in creating opportunities for future generations to build their skills and capabilities to secure their own financial future.?

'With lived and professional experience achieving economic outcomes for our people over the past 30 years, I can appreciate the challenges our community face in getting a job, building a career or running a business.'

'I also understand that many are willing to give our mob a chance. Bringing these two issues or opportunities together, for real, practical and tangible outcomes is something I want to continue to do through my role on the Council.'

'My hope and dream is that Aboriginal Victorians today and in the future can seize job, career, and business opportunities without facing the barriers of previous generations.'

Duean White?

Yuma Yirramboi Council Koori Caucus Deputy Chair Duean White is a proud Biripi woman.?

Duean’s business Career Steer helps employers develop culturally safe workplaces and supports their First Nations employees to thrive.?

'For me, it’s more than just hiring Aboriginal people. It’s about creating meaningful careers for our people and valuing our contribution.'?

'There have never been more opportunities whether in community, for government, the private sector or even business – we now need to support people to access them and generate even more options especially for people in regional areas.'

'I hope to contribute my experience in employment and career development, business and governance to the Council’s diverse mix of skills and experience. I am passionate about our people having options – whether that is study, paid employment, community work, caring activities or establishing a business – and the right tools to make choices that work for them.'?

Brian Stevens?

Yuma Yirramboi Council Koori Caucus member Brian Stevens is a proud Gunai man.???

Brian’s aim is to empower Aboriginal people as change drivers by giving their voice, cultural knowledge, and practices the same importance as their business approach.?

'My deep understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal history, culture, and heritage frame and anchor me to family, Country and community and will always influence my contributions to the work of the Council.'?

'We must provide culturally appropriate support to enable the Aboriginal community and their members to lead, manage and engage in education and training to achieve their economic and employment aspirations.'?

Liz Allen?

Yuma Yirramboi Council Koori Caucus member Liz Allen is a proud Wurundjeri, Djaara woman.?

'Growing up on Gunai Kurnai Country, I was surrounded by a close family and strong Aboriginal role models.'?

'After 20 years of working in the employment and training industry, I could see opportunities for the community and wanted to be part of understanding how I could play a role in realising more jobs for the mob.'?????

'I could see the opportunities to make change at a policy level whilst continuing to work with the Aboriginal community that I had worked with for so many years.'?

'My vision is for strong Aboriginal business owners to be part of the economy, generating wealth and wellbeing for future generations as a standard.'?

Paul Paton?

Yuma Yirramboi Council Koori Caucus member Paul Paton is from the Gunai and Monaro-Ngarigo Nations of South-Eastern Australia.???

'From a very young age, my family instilled a passion and dedication in me about the preservation, continuation, and promotion of our cultures.'?

'My own aspirations for my tenure on council are that we can draw on the collective wisdom of each member to fully implement the strategy that carries the rights and aspirations of Aboriginal businesses in Victoria to secure their economic future.'?

'The experience, value and perspective that I feel I can bring to the Yuma Yirramboi Council is that of community mindedness and connection coupled with a viewpoint that is informed by my current role leading an organisation that is deeply involved in advocating for Traditional Owner rights, keeping government to account, nation building and knowledge sharing.'

Dr Ash Francisco?

Yuma Yirramboi Council Koori Caucus member Dr Ash Francisco is a proud Wiradjuri woman who has grown up in Naarm and now lives in Taungurung Country near Euroa, Victoria.???

'As I have moved through life and became more aware of the historical apparatuses of state control, and recognising the continuation of these in contemporary settings, the pursuit of economic justice with and for our people has become a major driver behind my postgraduate and career pathways and choices.'??

'I’m keen for legislative change that galvanises a powerful Victorian Aboriginal economic position not just for now, but for future generations. This includes ensuring that Victoria’s Aboriginal business community is prepared for and are at the forefront of the state’s economic future.'?

'Recognising our responsibilities to each other, family, and Country is critical for economic prosperity. As both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members, we can turn these responsibilities into opportunities that benefit all.'?

Ian Hamm?

Yuma Yirramboi Council Koori Caucus member Ian Hamm is a proud Yorta Yorta man. With extensive government and community sector experience, Ian has spearheaded significant policy and strategic reforms.??

His expertise lies in managing diverse relationships and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Ian has served as CEO of a prominent Aboriginal community organisation and currently chairs multiple boards, including the Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation, Community Broadcast Foundation, Connecting Home, Koorie Heritage Trust, Yarra Valley Water and Holmesglen TAFE.??

'I believe there should be Aboriginal people at the highest places in the Australian economy, having Aboriginal people involved in the decision making of organisations.'?

He is dedicated to enhancing Aboriginal representation in high-level governance through strategic action, advocacy, and mentoring. Ian envisions Aboriginal people taking part in decision-making processes within organisations, ensuring their involvement in shaping the Australian economy.?

Rod Jackson?

Yuma Yirramboi Council Koori Caucus member Rod Jackson is a proud Palawa and Cherboug man.?

Rod's passion is to maximise the potential of Aboriginal owned businesses.?

'Through my keen interest, unwavering passion, and business acumen, I constantly seek out new opportunities for business growth.'?

Exciting prospects are emerging, such as the upcoming Commonwealth Games, which hold great potential for Aboriginal communities, including Wurundjeri, Wadawarung, and Dja Dja Wurrung, to thrive and shine. Additionally, the expansion of Foodbank Victoria, with recent announcements of new buildings in Ballarat and Morwell, presents further avenues for community prosperity.?

Education plays a pivotal role in fostering Aboriginal employment and business development. We strive to cultivate more Aboriginal teachers, doctors, nurses, dentists, architects, and fashion designers. Notably, the TorchArt program stands as a prime example of an entrepreneurial pathway.?

Our previous efforts with Women in Business and Incubator start-ups have yielded remarkable progress. As a community, it is vital that we recognise the immense expertise of Aboriginal artists, sportspeople, politicians, and the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll, which can pave the way for achieving Cultural competence and Reconciliation outcomes for all Aboriginal Victorians."?

Karen Milward?

Karen Milward is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and a member of the Koori Caucus in the Yuma Yirramboi Council.?

Karen's motivation to start her own consultancy business was deeply influenced by her parents, who ran separate and joint businesses throughout her childhood.??

Reflecting on her upbringing, she shares, "It was natural for me to start my own consultancy business as my parents had both separate and joint businesses. Mum and dad had a lampshade making business and shop in Glen Iris for all my childhood. After the market for this changed, dad went back to painting, building, and carpentry, and mum went back into the public service world and then she started her own consultancy, so I guess I followed suit – haven't looked back – been in business for 19 years now."?

Karen is passionate about supporting a strengths-based economic and business model.?

'I want the government to realise that when they invest in employment, economic and business opportunities for Aboriginal Victorians the community is saving the government money by providing the necessary opportunities for our community to thrive and by staying away from the deficit model that many industries and government have supported for 50 years.'?

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For more information on the Yuma Yirramboi strategy, visit: https://djsir.vic.gov.au/priorities-and-initiatives/yuma-yirramboi-strategy??