FAB AWARDS LAUNCH

Our official launch in Sydney on Thursday, July 29th 2010 attracted a stellar line-up of government and corporate leaders, along with a media contingent from as far away as India and Germany. But it was the Indigenous business figures in the room who drew the limelight with their inspirational stories of success against the odds.

Foremost of these was the Sydney caterer, community leader and mentor, Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo, who spoke movingly of the challenges she faced in establishing her own business, Yaama Dhiyaan College, and her quiet determination to overcome the obstacles in her path.

Aunty Beryl raised a laugh when she boldly compared herself to another successful business figure in the room, mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest. While she may not have operated on the scale of Australia’s richest man, she said she faced the same challenges in building her own business – a “never give up” determination and passionate will to succeed.

The launch function was hosted by renowned journalist Ray Martin, who takes pride in his own Indigenous roots and urged the rest of corporate Australia to join existing sponsors in getting behind the FABs as “the best means to make a difference in Indigenous communities by creating businesses and jobs”.

The launch venue was the Surry Hills headquarters of our media sponsor, The Australian newspaper, whose deputy CEO, Nick Leeder, said the paper’s involvement in the FABs was a new cornerstone in its 40-year campaign to draw national attention to the Indigenous cause.

Other speakers included Senator Chris Evans, the Federal Immigration Minister, representing the government during the election campaign, who described the FABs as an important national initiative in stressing the benefits of enterprise for Indigenous people.

In formally launching the awards, our chairman, Warren Mundine, said the FABs were designed to “shatter the myth” that Indigenous people were either disinterested in business or didn’t have the aptitude for it. Their success in sport showed that the First Australians “loved competition” and a primary aim of the FABs was to bring “many untold stories of Indigenous business achievement to the wider community”.

That process began immediately with the showing of our launch video, showcasing the achievements of a range of Indigenous businesses large and small. They included the mining support company, Northern Project Contracting, Queensland’s Yarrabah Bakery and the Tribal Warrior tour company on Sydney Harbour.

Many guests at the launch said they were especially moved and inspired by the video’s interviews with young people, outlining their dreams of setting up their own businesses in local communities and acting as role models for other Indigenous youth.

The launch concluded with a reception on an Indigenous theme organised by Aunty Beryl and her team of Indigenous catering trainees, featuring such delicacies as kangaroo meat pies.