It was wonderful to have 111 Indigenous and Community Leaders and Indigenous Business Owners join SEQICC when it hosted the annual NAIDOC Week Indigenous Business Breakfast on 9 July 2013. In addition to allowing very busy Indigenous business owners to catch up, the event was highlighted by the announcement that SEQICC following widespread support was proceeding to form a State peak organisation for Indigenous business to be known as the Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce or QICC. The role of QICC is to add value the work being undertaken in the regions by providing accreditation, quality assurance, state based advocacy and education and skilling opportunities to build state-wide capability. Members and supporters will be kept up dated with progress in QICC becoming operational in the near future.
I would also like to acknowledge the following key people that attended the event: The Hon. David Kempton MP, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Affairs), Teresa Gambaro, Member for Brisbane, Councillor Margaret de Wit, Chair of Brisbane City Council, Debbie Best, Director General, DATSIMA, Selwyn Button, CEO, Queensland Aboriginal & Islander Health Commission, Charles Prouse, CEO, Supply Nation, Nick Behrens, CCIQ, and Catherine O’Sullivan, Pro Vice Chancellor, Office of Pathways & Partnerships, Bond University.
We thank renowned Indigenous actor, NIDA graduate and business owner Michael Tuahine for his Master of Ceremonies duties, Uncle Des Sandy for the Welcome to Country and particularly the spectacular Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers for second to none entertainment.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event.
Neil Willmett