Rockhampton Region Applauds Indigenous Businesses
Published on 27 October 2025
Leading Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, community champions and support agencies have gathered to recognise the strength, innovation and contributions of the Indigenous businesses at Advance Rockhampton’s Indigenous Business Month Celebration, delivered in partnership with the Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN).
Building on the theme of this year’s Indigenous Business Month, Strength Through Collaboration, the Indigenous Business Month Celebration empowered current and emerging Indigenous-led businesses by providing information on strategic priorities, procurement, Closing the Gap through economic development, empowering entrepreneurship and economic ecosystems.
Indigenous business leaders also participated in a panel discussion, sharing insights and inspiration to support the development of establishing businesses.
The evening concluded with the annual awards ceremony, recognising businesses and organisations which go above and beyond in our community:
- Cultural Community Impact Award, Wade Mann's Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training - Recognises an Indigenous business or Community Organisation making a significant positive impact on their community through cultural leadership, social initiatives, or community empowerment.
- Integration Collaboration Award, Woongal Environmental Services - Celebrates partnerships that foster meaningful collaboration between Indigenous businesses and other sectors, organisations, or communities.
- Rising Star Award, Deadly Merchandise / Rockhampton Driving School - Recognises an emerging Indigenous entrepreneur or business showing exceptional promise, innovation, and leadership in their early stages.
Advance Rockhampton thanks QIBN for its ongoing partnership, and Central Queensland Indigenous Development (CQID), Stanwell, CQUniversity and Central Queensland Regional Jobs Committee for their sponsorship of this year’s event.
Quotes attributable to Rockhampton Region Mayor, Tony Williams
“Our Indigenous Business Month Celebration is a unique opportunity to bring Darumbal, Gaangalu and Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala voices together to celebrate achievements, discuss areas for collaboration and provide support to help businesses grow.
“Investing in the development of Indigenous-led businesses is about more than just strengthening the economy. These businesses bring unique cultural insights, drive Indigenous job creation and unlock new opportunities which help close the employment, financial and education gap which sadly persists across our community.
“Council, through Advance Rockhampton, is a passionate advocate for Indigenous and local content and regularly works with proponents to facilitate connections, as well as with business owners directly through our workshops and networking engagements.
“We recognise that Indigenous leaders can bring a wealth of knowledge and new approaches to business, and the more we can foster and support their development, the more our entire region prospers.”
Quotes attributable to QIBN Board Director and Managing Director of Regional Economic Solutions, Leann Wilson
“The Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN) is proud to once again partner with Advance Rockhampton to shine a light on the outstanding achievements being made across Darumbal, Gaangalu and Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala lands.
As a state-wide network and representative body, our priority is to support and strengthen all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led businesses across Queensland. Rockhampton and other regional voices are vital to the mainstream conversations that shape economic prosperity for our communities.
Regional Queensland shows us what this year’s Indigenous Business Month theme, ‘Strength Through Collaboration’, truly means, where businesses, community and government work side by side to build stronger futures. This celebration stands as a powerful example of that spirit in action.”