This International Women’s Day, we recognise the women whose stories reflect the heart of ABV’s work — women who give their time, skills and experience so that others can gain opportunity, confidence and economic independence. In the International Year of Volunteering for Sustainable Development, their contributions show what Give to Gain truly means.
Across Australia and the Pacific Islands, ABV volunteers bring empathy, cultural awareness and a deep respect for the lived experience of the entrepreneurs they support. They listen first. They build trust. And they help create spaces where people can explore their ideas, strengthen their businesses and step into opportunities with confidence.
The stories of Jennie Connolly, Sally-Ann Lawrence and Kaylene Benson highlight the many ways skilled volunteers make a difference — and the many ways they grow through the experience themselves.
Jennie Connolly: Sharing Skills to Strengthen Communities
Jennie has spent close to a decade volunteering across the Asia‑Pacific, from Vanuatu and Samoa to Laos, Tonga, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. A retired corporate services executive, she brings deep financial and governance expertise to local organisations building stronger, more resilient businesses.
For Jennie, the motivation is simple: “I like to make a difference, and I know that I can. I’ve got skills, so sharing them is a no brainer.” She has seen the impact of skilled volunteering in real time — sometimes in a single breakthrough moment, sometimes in the transformation of an entire enterprise. Her work reflects the essence of Give to Gain: when you give your skills, communities gain capability, and volunteers gain purpose and connection.
Sally‑Ann Lawrence: Meeting People Where They Are
After a decade supporting small businesses in regional Victoria, Sally-Ann discovered ABV almost by accident — and soon found herself on assignment in Fiji, supporting 24 local business owners through workshops and one-on-one coaching.
Her approach is grounded in humility and adaptability. “We met participants where they were at and let them pull what they needed from the program,” she says. The diversity of businesses meant tailoring content to be accessible and relevant, and Sally‑Ann was struck by the willingness of participants to learn, stretch themselves and take risks.
Asked what makes a great volunteer, she returns to openness. “Share what you know in new ways. And be open to learning. I’ve picked up as much as I’ve shared.”
Kaylene Benson: Walking Alongside Entrepreneurs as They Grow
With more than 20 years’ experience leading change initiatives across Australia and the Pacific Islands, Kaylene brings strategic insight, cultural awareness and genuine warmth to her mentoring. Through ABV, she has supported small and medium enterprises in Cambodia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, helping business owners build confidence and uncover pathways that feel authentic and achievable.
“I get so much out of volunteering. I’m constantly learning,” she says. “My heart absolutely sings when I hear that business owners are hitting their targets or finding new markets.” For Kaylene, mentoring is about connection — listening deeply, understanding where each entrepreneur’s energy lies and helping them take the next step.
Continuing the Work of Women Supporting Women
The stories of Jennie, Sally‑Ann and Kaylene reflect what we see every day through ABV’s programs. Skilled volunteers don’t arrive with all the answers. They arrive with curiosity, humility and a willingness to walk alongside entrepreneurs as they shape their own futures. That’s where the real change happens — in the conversations, the breakthroughs, the moments of courage and clarity.
This year’s theme, Give to Gain, captures that beautifully. Volunteers give their expertise, and in return they gain connection, insight and the privilege of witnessing women take bold steps in their businesses and lives.
We invite more women to consider skilled volunteering with ABV. If you have experience to share and an interest in supporting communities across Australia and the Pacific Islands, there is a place for you in this work.
Together, we can continue building supportive, connected communities where people lift each other up and create opportunities that last.
Interested in volunteering?
Contact volunteers@abv.org.au or see the Upcoming Assignments on our website
[DF1]Name not hyphenated in the web artcile
East Gippsland residents have embraced cutting-edge technology designed to strengthen disaster preparedness, with two Simtable demonstrations held this week in Lindenow and Mt Taylor drawing strong crowds and sparking lively discussion.
On Monday 2 December, around 25 community members gathered in Lindenow to see the Simtable in action. Local CFA commanders and captains attended alongside East Gippsland Shire Council’s Blanche Evans. The digital sand table, which projects interactive, real-time models of bushfires, floods and evacuations, proved both fascinating and practical. Attendees praised the demonstration for its clarity and relevance, noting how it helped them visualise the challenges of emergency response.
The following day, Tuesday 3 December, Mt Taylor hosted its own session, attracting 34 participants. CFA presenters Terry and Dan guided the community through scenarios showing how fire behaviour shifts with wind direction and topography. The interactive format encouraged questions and hands-on engagement, leaving participants with a stronger understanding of local vulnerabilities and the importance of preparedness. One participant summed up the mood, saying: “We need to educate the wider community – this is just so important and thank you for highlighting it.”
Together, the two events reached around 60 community members and were delivered through a collaboration between East Gippsland Shire Council, CFA and Australian Business Volunteers (ABV). The demonstrations not only raised awareness but also sparked meaningful conversations about resilience and preparedness across the region, reinforcing the value of continued community engagement.
Building Resilient Regions
The demonstrations form part of ABV’s Resilient Regions program, which helps communities prepare for, withstand and recover from natural disasters.
Resilient Regions is supported by the Australian and Victorian governments.
A total of 604 small businesses across the Pacific Islands region, including 402 in Papua New Guinea, have now been supported through a seven-year partnership between BSP Financial Group Limited and Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) to strengthen MSMEs and local economies.
The milestone was marked on the evening of Wednesday, the 4th of Februrary, with the graduation of 19 Papua New Guinean entrepreneurs who successfully completed the six-month business development program, YES GROW.
The culturally responsive and targeted program co-designed by ABV begins with an intensive week of face-to-face business development training, followed by personalised coaching and mentoring designed to strengthen participants’ commercial capability, resilience and long-term business vision.
With 45 completed training rounds in over six countries, the program has been powered by over 2,500 volunteer hours by Australian skilled business volunteers with significant experience across finance, marketing, business strategy and management.
Speaking at the graduation in Port Moresby, BSP Group CEO Mark T Robinson said the program reflects BSP’s commitment to empowering local businesses and supporting sustainable economic growth.
“When we back businesses like these, we help create jobs, grow local industries and support the dreams of everyday Papua New Guineans to be their own boss. We are incredibly proud of what this cohort has achieved — not only for themselves, but for their families, their communities, and our country.”
Since its inception seven years ago, BSP and ABV have expanded the MSME business development program from Papua New Guinea into Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, with plans confirmed to launch in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in 2026.
“This is more than a training initiative — it is a movement. It is about building capability, confidence, and community among Pacific entrepreneurs, and equipping them with the tools they need to scale, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly changing world,” Mr Robinson added.
Powered by ABV’s volunteers and its community development program team, BSP thanked the Australian international development agency for its commitment and the many Australian volunteers for their time, knowledge and passion for Pacific Island businesses.
Speaking at the graduation, ABV Chief Partnership Officer, David Faulmann highlighted that 50% of all program participants have been women-led businesses. “This is a remarkable achievement and a number that we want to see grow.”
“The Your Enterprise Scheme (YES) GROW program continues to demonstrate the power of determined local entrepreneurs, who are building stronger, more resilient businesses that are truly the engine room of the Pacific and the sustainability of local economies
“ABV is honoured to partner with BSP on a program that is unlocking opportunity, strengthening communities and proving what’s possible when skills, ambition and the right support come together.”
Looking ahead, BSP reaffirmed its commitment to the program and its partnership with ABV, with four YES GROW training cycles planned this year in Lae, Mt Hagen, and Buka, alongside the establishment of a Regional YES GROW Alumni Development Program across PNG and the Pacific Island region.
As featured in:
Post Courier Online, Gregory Wesley
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/local-sme-owners-praise-bsp-and-abv-for-knowledge-gained/
The National, PNG
https://www.thenational.com.pg/yes-grow-programme-backs-600-plus-smes/
Pacific Business Review Online
https://www.pacificbusinessreview.com/articles/2026/2/over-600-pacific-businesses-strengthened-by-bsp-abv-program
At Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) we know that the strongest communities lead their own change.
This year’s annual report highlights the contribution of our 311 skilled business volunteers, 15 corporate and industry partners, and 12 programs delivered across six countries — all of which has been grounded in trust, collaboration and local leadership.
This snapshot marks ABV’s ever-deepening connection with partners, small businesses, communities and volunteers across Australia and the Pacific.
With a clear strategic focus, we’ve grown our work across four key outcome areas: strengthening economic and disaster resilience in Australia; supporting First Nations entrepreneurship; building micro, small and medium enterprises in the Pacific Islands; and increasingly, delivering values-aligned ESG outcomes for our corporate partners.
Our partnerships have gone from strength to strength through this time, and we’re grateful for the trust and opportunity extended to us by those that we collaborate and co-design our programs with, whether they be corporate or government bodies.
Drawing on a rich legacy of international development, our team continue to work seamlessly alongside a dedicated cohort of skilled volunteers who consistently deliver the pragmatic, responsive support that ABV is known for.
We acknowledge the breadth of skills and deep commitment of our team and sincerely thank the dedication and vision of our volunteers, partners, communities and organisations who walk year after year on this journey with us.
Together, we are committed to building vibrant marketplaces and bustling main streets that will nurture, feed and house whole communities across regional Australia and the Pacific Islands for generations to come.
We invite you to download the report, and together celebrate the impact that we can have when we truly resource and support communities to lead change from the ground up.
ABV CEO, Liz Mackinlay
The declaration of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development is more than a calendar milestone. It is a global recognition of the extraordinary contribution volunteers make to building resilient communities and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Around the world, skilled volunteers are stepping forward to share knowledge, strengthen local leadership and create opportunities that endure.
For Australian Business Volunteers (ABV), this year is a chance to highlight the power of skills-based volunteering. For over four decades, ABV has mobilised professionals across Australia and the Pacific Islands to work alongside communities, businesses and organisations. With over 6100 hours donated in the last financial year, their expertise in areas such as finance, governance, marketing and strategic planning has helped enterprises grow, supported recovery after disasters and enabled local leaders to plan for sustainable futures.
Across regional and rural Australia, the Pacific Islands and in partnership with First Nations communities, ABV volunteers have helped strengthen resilience by supporting businesses, organisations and enterprises to adapt, grow and plan for the future. Their work has brought communities together, built social connections and supported locally led solutions that respond to complex challenges.
Outcomes have included stronger enterprises, more confident local leadership and pathways to long-term economic strength and community wellbeing. Volunteers often describe these experiences as deeply rewarding, reflecting on the relationships formed, the sense of purpose they feel and the pride in knowing their skills have contributed to sustainable futures grounded in identity, inclusion and resilience.
The International Year underscores a simple truth: sustainable development cannot be achieved without people. Volunteers are the bridge between global aspirations and local realities. ABV’s partnership model ensures that solutions are co-designed with communities, empowering local leaders to take ownership of their future.
This year is a reminder that the act of giving time and expertise is transformative. It builds inclusion, strengthens resilience and creates pathways to wellbeing. ABV’s work across Australia and the Pacific Islands shows that when volunteers bring their skills to the table, communities are not only supported in the present but equipped to thrive in the future. Volunteers themselves often say the experience changes them too—broadening perspectives, deepening empathy and reinforcing the belief that sustainable development is a shared journey.
As the world celebrates the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, ABV invites partners and volunteers to join in recognising the profound impact of skilled volunteering. It is a call to harness expertise, strengthen communities and ensure that sustainable development is not just a goal but a lived reality across our region.
With the very real and devasting impact of natural hazards and disasters front of mind this High-Risk Weather Season, Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) reflects on five years of driving community-led disaster and economic resilience for empowered solutions from the bottom up.
Putting communities in the driver's seat, building local capacity, and forging lasting relationships, this work has featured 175 community projects delivered across 16 disaster affected and prone local government areas in regional and remote Australia.
While ABV as international development organisation has traditionally delivered inclusive economic and sustainable development across 34 countries in the Asia-Pacific, CEO Liz Mackinlay reflects that January 2020 marked a distinct shift for the organisation to deliver services in its own backyard.
“We were watching the catastrophic impact of the Black Summer fires devastate communities across the East Coast; impacting our volunteers, our Australian-based team, and bringing out country to standstill as homes, livelihoods, habitats and lives were taken,” ABV CEO Liz Mackinlay says.
“We had communities hurting in our own backyard, and ABV had the skills to help. Lending our hand at a time of significant national disaster was simply a no brainer.”
Liz Mackinlay, ABV CEO
ABV's CEO and Program Director drove from Sydney to the heavily fire-affected town of Cobargo in New South Wales to see where and how ABV and its volunteers could be of help.
“We approached the community’s members with sensitivity and humility – after all, they were both the first responders and the long term recovery agents of change – so we wanted to make sure we grounded our offer of support in their priorities. Our deep relationships with the impacted community groups and leaders in the region allowed us to then co-design our services to support community-led organisation to build back better,” Liz says.
Since then, ABV’s team of community development professionals and skilled business volunteers have channelled over $6m in diverse funding and in-kind support to further community-led initiatives across disaster-affected and prone communities along the Eastern Seaboard.
As ABV engaged with communities across regional Australia, a clear message came through. Facing industry transitions, youth migration, workforce shortages and growing isolation, people wanted more than disaster recovery — they wanted to build stronger, more self-sustaining futures.
Through a strengths-based, community-led approach, ABV is working alongside local leaders who are determined to shape their own futures — helping them turn challenges into opportunities.
In Braidwood, ABV supported the development of a Tourism Roadmap to revitalise local industries and strengthen visitor appeal. In Orbost, we worked alongside community members to design an organisation structure that gives locals a unified voice in shaping the future of their town — based on their own priorities and aspirations.
“Communities told us they didn’t just want to recover from disasters — they wanted to build stronger, fairer local economies and a deeper sense of connection,” Liz says. “That’s what resilience truly looks like.”
As programs continue to expand to Victoria and Queensland, with a view to partnerships across all States and Territories, ABV’s evolving focus connects disaster preparedness with long-term economic resilience and social cohesion — helping communities anticipate change, adapt to new realities and thrive together.
ABV remains committed to walking alongside communities, ensuring local knowledge drives local futures.
Proud Martu woman and contemporary artist, Corina Jadai, from Bidyadanga in Western Australia debuted her label Jarli at the Indigenous Fashion Project’s 10th annual Country to Couture on Larrakia country (Darwin) August 2025.
Creating resort wear inspired by the Pilbara and Kimberley, Corina’s collection blends vast desert landscapes with hues of the ocean and turtle shells integrating her cultural heritage and life on country into the creations.
With the label, Jarli Creations, named in honour of Corina's great grandmother, the emerging designer says fashion and design are powerful ways to share culture and honour family.
“I have always loved art,” Corina says, coming from a long line of nationally regarded artists. “We love creating art and sharing your stories through art. Some different ways of storytelling are through fabric and fashion.”
Attending the Darwin Aboriginal Arts Fair (DAAF) to see her grandfather’s work exhibited, seeded the hope that Corina too would be part of the Darwin festival and have her collection on the runway at Country to Couture.
In 2024, Corina’s collection was accepted, before making the difficult decision to withdraw it just weeks out. “There were issues with the fabric and digital printing,” Corina says, noting the challenges of preparing high-end couture from remote Australia.
“I had to be realistic, and I didn’t want to have an unfinished piece on the runway,” she adds. “From the Kimberly to the Pilbara, relocating is difficult, and life happens. There are no fabric stores in the Western Desert.”
Working with Australian Business Volunteer Senior Program Manager, Brigitte White, Corina connected with experts in the industry. This included a meeting with Kirrikin fashion and business leader, Amanda Healey who introduced Corina to the acclaimed pattern designer, Alice Cliff.
“I was linked to Alice (Cliff) in Subiaco,” Corina says reflecting on the journey to bring her designs fully to life. “I created five versions of the garments, posted them to her, and she would send them back for review. We were always working.”
Along with Country to Couture, her luxury resort wear collection was further shown on runways at the Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art (KAFTA) in June.
While Corina says she’s relieved that the shows are now over, she is already planning her next collection with her eye on Australia Fashion Week, if not Milan and Paris.
In her corner since 2023, Corina continues to be supported by the Martu Business Development Program delivered by ABV in partnership with Greatland to build her business skills, networks, seed funding.
“It was amazing to be with Corina at KAFTA and Country to Couture this year and see the designs that she first showed me on paper come to life on models,” Senior Program Manager Brigitte says.
“Corina continues to grow in confidence as a designer in sharing the story behind her designs and the many of the decisions that are required to get these from paper to the catwalk.”
Brigitte has always been supportive and found ways to get things done, Corina says. “She helped soothe all my nerves, be there in person, and is always happy to have a chat.”
“We live in the Kimberley, and she also comes up here to meet in Broome or wherever we are,” Corina says. From 2024, Brigitte and the team at ABV have also facilitated opportunities for Corina to participate with Kirrikin at the Fortescue Festival, attend the Iris Van Herpern exhibition in Brisbane, and showcase her work at Telfer during NAIDOC week.
Corina is committed to growing as an artist and a professional art centre worker with leading arts organisations including AACHWA, ANKA, Martumilli Artists and Bidydanga Arts Centre.
She encourages others to keep moving forward despite challenges, embracing their passion and connection to Country. “I just encourage anyone with an idea to do it. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Earlier this month, local leaders, volunteers, and community groups came together at the Orbost Arts Centre for the second workshop in a series focused on strengthening connections and collaboration across the Orbost and District area.
The workshop, Building Orbost and District Together: Place-based Leadership & Governance, brought together 16 passionate locals to explore what kind of leadership and teamwork can best support the region’s future. Through hands-on activities and lively discussion, participants created a shared purpose statement and seven guiding principles to help shape how the community works together.
One of the key outcomes from the day was the formation of a new core working group. This team will meet regularly over the next six weeks to turn workshop ideas into real actions. ABV Volunteer, Bruce Levett, will be acting as “a critical friend” and governance support for the community as they work through the next steps. Their goal: to support community-led projects and strengthen connections between local groups and organisations.
Participants also identified several important roles that a future “umbrella” group or network could play, including:
These ideas will contribute to the development of a proposed Community Connector Network (final name to be confirmed) — a flexible, action-oriented model that values local knowledge, supports innovation, and strengthens collaboration. It is designed to increase visibility across existing community organisations, while also creating space for smaller interest-based groups to emerge and focus on initiatives that also deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for the region.
"The energy and ideas in the room were inspiring. Now we’re turning that momentum into action by focusing on communications – the foundation for stronger collaboration across Orbost."
— Natascha Wernick, Program Facilitator Community Development, Australian Business Volunteers.
“This is all about finding better ways of working together as a community for collective impact.” – Liz Mitchell, Chair Future of Orbost & District project Government Group.
The energy and commitment shown at the workshop highlight Orbost and District’s readiness to move from ideas to action. With a shared purpose, strong principles, and a growing network of local champions, the community is well on its way to creating a more connected and resilient future—one that celebrates local strengths and makes space for everyone to be part of the journey.
The initiative has been supported through a partnership between the members of the Governance Group of Future of Orbost & District project and Australian Business Volunteers.
Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) are supporting these events as a part of the Resilient Regions program, funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.
The Future of Orbost & District (FoOD) project is a response to the impacts of the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria’s state forests, and the need to transition the local economy. The project is delivered by the Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is overseen by a community-led governance group.
Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Joint Committee on Harmful Algal Blooms in South Australia, offering insight into how community-led disaster and economic resilience can play a central role in addressing the ongoing environmental and economic impacts of harmful algal blooms in the state.
Read ABV’s submission in full.
For more than 40 years, ABV has empowered communities across Australia, Asia, and the Pacific, to strengthen local economies, and build adaptive and sustainable communities. Drawing on our experience working alongside small businesses, First Nations leaders, and community groups, ABV’s submission highlights that community-led programs to strengthen resilient local economies today are essential to reducing the long-term effects of natural hazards like algal blooms tomorrow.
At the heart of our input is ABV’s Disaster and Economic Resilience Framework — an evidence-based approach that equips communities to lead their own preparedness, planning, and adaptation. Through facilitated cross-sector workshops, volunteer mentoring, and partnership brokering across corporate, government and philanthropic sectors, ABV unlocks the power of local knowledge, hyper-local solutions, and networks for sustainable impact.
Since the Black Summer bushfires, ABV has delivered over 175 community-led resilience projects across 16 disaster-affected local government areas, with tangible outcomes ranging from small business regeneration in Mallacoota and Orbost to tourism renewal in Braidwood and a co-designed cultural burning collaboration with Bateman’s Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council. These examples demonstrate how community-driven action builds local capacity to manage disruption, build critical networks, and preserve economic continuity.
In our submission, ABV urges the Committee to invest in community-led strategies that protect local industries—such as aquaculture, tourism, and small business economies. ABV recommends the committee consider:
As outlined in the Colvin Review (2024) and Glasser Review (2023), investment in prevention and resilience yields strong returns, with community-led models delivering a 13:1 economic benefit. These approaches not only reduce disaster impacts but also support mental health, housing stability, and social cohesion in affected regions.
At ABV, we’re committed to walking alongside communities—before, during, and after crises—to ensure they have the skills, relationships, and pathways to recover and thrive.
For more information about ABV’s submission or to partner in building resilient local economies, contact us.
Drawing on five years of working with disaster-affected communities in regional and remote Australia, Australian Business Volunteers has released its evidence-based framework to ensure that communities are better prepared to withstand future disaster risks and climate induced hazards.
With over some 175 projects now delivered in some 17 local government areas, we know just how important it is that communities are supported to be connected, empowered, and in the driver's seat to plan their collective resilience and preparedness in the face of adversity, CEO Liz Mackinlay said.
“Whether it’s local services, businesses, community groups, the local government, or the local Aboriginal organisations, each of these are critical actors in preparedness and resilience more broadly in our regional and remote communities."
“They often already know what’s needed, have incredible ideas of what will make the difference, and importantly, have a remarkable amount that they can do right now to withstand adversity tomorrow.”
“Our job at ABV is to walk alongside them today, create avenues for them to come together, offer skills and support to augment their efforts, and advocate for them as a collective to get there. This evidence-based resilience framework is exactly how we do that.”
The three-pronged framework comes off the back of community-led reflections and learnings about what works in ABV’s unique programs in community-led economic and disaster resilience work on the East Coast, integrating its longstanding frameworks for inclusive and sustainable development across the Pacific.
“This is a tailored model that draws on the five frameworks that our international development team deploy in delivering programs for inclusive and sustainable development internationally, and have done so for 44 years,” Liz adds.
“Whether it’s our trauma informed framework, world-class volunteering framework, place-based planning, business continuity frameworks or the international disaster preparedness and response frameworks, this latest approach provides a relatively simple way forward for the hard work of community-led resilience in Australia that ABV has a unique contribution to make.”
Starting with meeting communities where they are at, the framework prioritises unlocking place-based resilience networks followed by practically supporting communities through partnership building, skills provision, and integration of best practice volunteering.
ABV Chief Operations Officer Jess Lees says this fills an important gap that disaster-prone communities are facing. “The Colvin review of Commonwealth disaster funding found that 92% of funding is locked in emergency response and recovery work,” Jess says.
“This is expensive and complex work, but with extreme weather events projected to significantly increase in Australia, it’s important that we’re doing all that we can to equip communities to withstand them well before the flames are high."
“This is moving beyond the immediate needs and doing the long hard work of connecting communities and leading their own resilience. We know this makes all the difference and look forward to working with communities and the other important actors in the sector to now deploy this framework and continue to revisit it with the learnings we make.”
Find out more about ABV’s Economic and Disaster Resilience framework, and how we can support you and your community lead economic and disaster resilience.
