Image: Allan and Shirley in their Woodend Rotary uniforms.  

For most of their lives, Allan and Shirley have done everything together. Their lifelong partnership intertwines with work, volunteering and their enthusiasm for travel. Through volunteering, they have travelled across the Pacific to the Soloman Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji with Australian Business Volunteers and other international agencies. 

"Allan found the assignments, but I always went with him. We are the Coles 2 for 1 special," says Shirley. 

Image: Allan and Shirley with the President of the Indigenous Business Council Fiji and his staff 2016. 

Their first ABV assignment was in Vanuatu in 2006, where they helped two small businesses start up. This experience led to their passion for helping small businesses, which continued for the next two decades. In 2017, the Vanuatu Department of Industry asked them to develop a Strategic Plan for the Manufacturing Industry in Vanuatu.  

This project led to further assignments in 2021/22 to create a Manufacturing Standard of best practices for safety and financial reporting to help businesses grow and become legitimate. Since 70% of Vanuatu's income comes from tourism, the region must build resilience against inevitable travel disruptions by developing other core industries. 

Image: Presentation of attendance awards to participants of the Business Training course we ran for the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in 2017. 

When they aren't volunteering, Allan and Shirley have plenty to do on their leafy five acres in Woodend North in the Macedon ranges (70 km from Melbourne). Between gardening and maintenance, Allan loves picking up and trying new musical instruments.  

They have devoted their lives to serving their community. Allan has been a member of Rotary for 33 years, the last 12 with the Rotary Club of Woodend, while Shirley has been a member of the Red Cross for 10 years, with 7 years spent in the Emergency Services; she is also an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Woodend. 

Currently, they are working on a disaster resilience ABV assignment to help develop a business plan for the Compost Club in East Gippsland.  

"We are taking it slowly, giving the innovator time to make changes. It's a step-by-step process, but we are getting there," says Shirley.  

The Compost Club aims to reduce food waste by providing educational programs about composting and sustainable practices. Building community organizations and small businesses is crucial to creating a more robust local economy more resilient to natural disasters. 

We are grateful to have volunteers like Allan and Shirley in our ABV family. We feel incredibly proud that they recently received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) at the Australia Day Awards.  

Our ABV volunteers have given over 10,444 days of volunteering work during the last four years of our Disaster Recovery programs in NSW and VIC. This is equivalent to more than 41 people working full-time over three years. 

Image: Picture of students outside the new school the Woodend Rotary built in a remote village in Vanuatu. Allan and Shirley travelled to Vanuatu in February for the opening.  

Are you feeling inspired to give back? Whether it's volunteering locally or abroad, your contribution matters. Take the first step today by expressing your interest in volunteering with us at Volunteer - Australian Business Volunteers (abv.org.au)

In the heart of NSW's South Coast, the Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council's Walbunja Rangers—a group deeply connected to the land—sought assistance from Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) to improve their business planning and strategy. 

Image above: Ken Long, Andrew White and Ros Carriage working on business plan for BBLALC.

The Walbunja Rangers—custodians of country revegetation, pest control, and cultural preservation— have dedicated years to merging traditional knowledge with Western education. Their mission involves maintaining the delicate balance through practices honed over tens of thousands of years.

Image above: Walbunja Rangers, Andrew White and Adam Nye demonstrating a burn at ABV's Cultural Burning Conference August 2023.

Dr. Ken Long, an ABV skilled business volunteer stepped in to lend a hand to the Walbunja Rangers, drawing on his extensive experience improving business competitiveness and productivity. 

The collaboration between ABV, Dr. Ken Long, and the Walbunja Rangers was more than creating a business plan. It was about the team discovering their individual and collective strengths, learning together, and building confidence in their own abilities.

This project reflects ABV's commitment to supporting First Nations organisations, fostering entrepreneurship and business development, while also playing a vital role in enhancing disaster preparedness and community resilience on a national scale.

Above: Andrew White and Ken Long working on a business plan for BBLALC

The Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

#communityresilience #community #capacitybuilding #economicresilience #businessresilience #disasterpreparedness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          

Celebrate International Women's Day with ABV!

Overview:

Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) is hosting 'Conversations across the Pacific,' an online event for International Women's Day. It will be an inspiring afternoon dedicated to recognising the success of women leaders in the Pacific and the profound impact of women supporting each other. 

ABV's CEO, Liz Mackinlay, will guide an engaging 90-minute conversation, where we'll showcase the success stories of three remarkable mentees in the Pacific.

At this event, we will explore this theme of amplifying Pacific women's voices through ABV's innovative programs with BSP Financial Group Limited (formerly Bank of South Pacific) through three stories:

  1. How BSP Fiji YES Thrive program strengthens entrepreneurs in Fiji. 
  2. How BSP YES Grow takes established businesses to the next level in Papua New Guinea.
  3. How the BSP and ABV mentoring program supports and develops talent across BSP's Pacific operations.

Keynote speaker: Leata Alaimoana - Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner.

As the Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Leata is responsible for driving the Queensland–Pacific trade strategy. Leata is committed to supporting sustainable enterprises and businesses in the Pacific, helping to create economic opportunities and deliver positive social outcomes for communities across the region. Leata's dedication to the Pacific extends beyond her professional work, as she actively supports and advocates for causes that work towards improving the livelihoods of Pacific people. Leata is passionate about empowering Pacific Island communities and ensuring their voices are heard and needs are met in the spaces that matter most.

Moderator: Liz Mackinlay – Australian Business Volunteers, CEO.

"I've been to many events for International Women’s Day where we discuss fantastic ideas, but often they don't translate into action. This year, ABV is all about amplifying the voices of Pacific women. We are uplifting their success and creating stronger connections and more opportunities for Pacific women in business," said Liz Mackinlay. 

Key Takeaways from event:

  1. The Power of Women-Led Businesses and Leadership: Discover how Pacific women drive innovation and business success.
  2. SME Development for Economic Growth: Understand how focusing on small-medium enterprise (SME) and leadership development can contribute to economic growth in the Pacific.
  3. Transformative Community-Wide Benefits: Learn about the positive impacts of encouraging entrepreneurship on families and communities.
  4. Woman-to-Woman Mentorship: Explore the transformative power of volunteering, specifically through woman-to-woman mentorship programs

Event Details:

🔹 Friday, 8th March

🔹 Online Event

🔹 3:00pm – 4:30pm AEDT

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/iwd-conversations-across-the-pacific-tickets-817638126647?aff=oddtdtcreator

Online delivery: Due to the global nature of the celebration and to encourage our Pacific networks to join, this event will be hosted virtually.

For more information, please contact:

Moneesha Reynolds, ABV Marketing Manager

E:Moneesha.reynolds@abv.org.au

About Australia Business Volunteers (ABV):

Australia Business Volunteers (ABV) is a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to connecting business expertise across the Asia-Pacific region. ABV works with a diverse group of organizations to deliver customized, sustainable, and effective solutions.

About BSP Financial Group Limited:

BSP Financial Group Limited is a prominent financial institution in PNG, offering a wide range of banking and financial services. BSP is committed to supporting the financial needs of individuals and businesses across the country.

In February, dedicated volunteers Zarah and Philip collaborated to lead the YES Grow program in Lae, Papua New Guinea.

Lae is the capital of Morobe Province and is the second-largest city in Papua New Guinea. It is located near the branching of the Markham River and at the start of the Highlands Highway, making it a main corridor for trade and commerce.

ABV has expanded YES Grow in partnership with BSP Financial Group Limited to include more areas of PNG. Small businesses are the backbone of a strong economy, which is why this program focuses on supporting regional entrepreneurship in areas like Lae. Over three days, participants learn essential business basics like finance, marketing, and business planning.

Zarah and Phil found immense fulfilment in the experience, "Delivering YES Grow was incredibly rewarding. We had varying levels of business expertise among participants, from startups to well-established ventures, but everyone valued the new tools and frameworks for future growth," said Zarah.

One participant, Merilyn Moss Henry, Director of Novelty Car Hire, said, "Knowledge is power. We actually got the best from the best. I personally learned and gained a lot from this workshop, which I will apply to my small business and I expect to see big difference and progress in my business adventure."

Zarah looks forward to staying connected with participants through online mentoring, emphasising the importance of this work to strengthening PNG's economy together. She said, "We're excited to continue supporting everyone in reaching their goals, one step at a time."

During the pandemic, a Lautoka-based family had a unique home business idea—selling fashion-forward facemasks. In 2021, as Fijians returned to work, husband and wife team George and Olga Kumkee saw a rising demand for reusable face masks. Seizing this moment, George used his graphic design skills to transform protective wear into a canvas for personal expression. George and Olga's customers could design their own masks to express their quirkiest ideas.

Now boasting a team of 23 designers and machinists, Kumkee Print and Designs has evolved far beyond its initial face mask venture. The couple's mission is to nurture the artistic aspirations of their community, especially the younger generation. For this reason, the Kumkee's encourage their customers to pitch their own ideas, and then the Kumkee team work to bring them to life.

In September 2023, Olga joined the Fiji THRIVE program, a collaboration between BSP Fiji and Australian Business Volunteers (ABV). Olga attended a three-day training workshop led by ABV business coaches Louise Nash and John McKenna, which covered a range of core business skills, including finance, marketing and strategy.

Olga found the "business canvas model" provided by ABV’s business coaches helpful for future planning. She was excited to come home and share this with her husband and friends. "Since the training, I've not only improved my business, but I also feel confident offering advice to other business owners now," said Olga.

From the Lautoka office, the business has expanded its product range to include clothing, offering a variety of fashion, sports and corporate wear for both men and women. The team intends to launch a swimwear line as well. Their most popular products are sports shirts for students and teachers. The Kumkee's create matching jerseys for their sports events from the students' drawings.

Image: Students of FNU NATABUA in their custom-made Bula Shirts

Olga and George encourage young people's creativity by turning their drawings into beautiful wearable motifs. Their son, Alfred, proudly wears designed sports shirts during club games, sparking curiosity among other parents. Alfred encourages everyone to have something special crafted for them.

Olga and George's journey serves as a great inspiration for creativity and resilience. Their mission is not just about business success but also about motivating others to pursue their dreams without fear. As Olga puts it, "If you have a dream, anything is possible; all you have to do is go for it."

Header Image: Olga and George wearing their custom designs.

The Braidwood & Villages Tourism Development Workshop was held last Friday morning, with feedback from the participants confirming it was a resounding success, enriched by the smoking ceremony and opening led by the Walbunja Rangers.

Five community members, hand selected from a wide range of applicants, presented their tourism plans to an expert panel.  Ideas were creative and varied, from gin schools to highland cultural tours and heritage trails. As well as ideas around centralising and organising local events and activities.

A highlight was the pitch from Brian Roberts, one of our skilled business volunteers whose insights captivated the room. The last photo shows the working group that has been pivotal in steering these initiatives over the past months.

After the presentations, ideas were workshopped in small groups with experts and entrepreneurs collaborating to progress the project.

One participant said, “ I appreciated being involved in the process and feel privileged to be around such knowledgeable people who are, humbly, willing to share their knowledge”.

We thank all of those who were involved, from the experts to the working group and those who submitted entries. This workshop is a part of the larger Braidwood & Villages Destination Management Plan to increase tourism visitors to the region. 

The Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

We warmly welcome Garth James Preece, who has joined ABV as the Program Coordinator for our Western Australia programs.
 
Garth brings six years of experience working in the Western Desert region, previously serving in the community relations department for Newmont Mining. Garth's career demonstrates his dedication to understanding and supporting the local communities. 
 
Initially joining us as a contractor, Garth has shared his enthusiasm for the Martu Business Development Program, "I've very much enjoyed visiting the local communities and learning about Martu culture, art, music and hunting, I look forward to working with Brigitte and the team at ABV and, supporting the Martu program, it will be great to see local peoples business visions come to life." 
 
Brigitte White has been promoted to Senior Programs Manager for Western Australia and will be working closely with Garth.
 
Pictured: (left to right) Naomi Toole, Sharon Bieundurry, Brigitte White and Garth James Preece

Meet Emi Weir, one of our inspiring ABV Skilled Volunteers who has donated her expertise for over a decade. Emi's nomadic spirit has led her to new opportunities around the globe—starting in her early twenties, she moved to New York, where she sold tour packages for Aus Travel. Although challenging, she found solo travelling a fulfilling experience; she says, "I went to New York without any plan, but I think my Australian accent and confidence secured me the job, and I loved it." Over her career, Emi appreciated flexibility to follow her own path, "When I asked to for time off to go backpacking, they said yes, and when I came back, and I was promoted to set up the national operation."

In 2014, in search of a new challenge, Emi travelled to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Vientiane is known for its relaxed vibe and Buddhist temples along tree-lined boulevards on the banks of the Mekong River. Shortly after her arrival, Emi was asked to support the business operations of the Laos Disabled Women's (LDW) Centre through Australian Business Volunteers (ABV).

In groups of 30, women with disabilities would join the LDW Centre for nine months, building confidence and life skills. A lot of the women were victims of the Polio virus, which, if not treated properly, can result in paralysis. "These women faced great challenges—many were denied schooling and weren't accepted in their villages. They came to the Centre and saw girls who were like them and who were happy to be like them. Seeing their transformation was a deeply moving experience."

The women were employed to craft items from recycled paper, like earrings and bracelets, to be sold in the Centre's shop. With Emi's background in tourism, she realised the promising prospects of the Centre being near the famous 'Friendship Bridge' that connects to Thailand. Emi established partnerships with tour companies to incorporate the Centre into their itineraries, bringing in busloads of visitors. Over the next decade, the Centre evolved from a small initiative into a thriving enterprise and, to this day, operates, now offering tours and paper crafting workshops.

Above: Paper crafting at the LDW Centre, Emi Holding Earrings 2014.

In 2016, Emi relocated to Savannakhet—a province in southern Laos. She started another ABV assignment to write a business plan for Sengsavang, a versatile establishment housing a restaurant, tailoring service, and hairdressing facility. "Local factory workers would take their lunch there and then have their hair washed, which was a popular service, and during wedding season, they'd teach the local girls how to sew." Emi later employed Sengsavang tailors to produce Ikats (a dyed textile) for her business, Ma Té Sai. Emi's business is a social enterprise that proudly follows a "from the village for the village" ethos, co-creating items with village artisans.

Emi pivoted to virtual volunteering in the last few years, and her latest ABV assignment was helping disaster resilience in Southeast NSW by writing a strategic marketing plan for a First Nations organisation and assisting Aruluen Hall with event marketing.

Emi's diverse skill set has been invaluable to ABV over the past decade, and we're profoundly grateful for her expertise. Reflecting on her years with ABV, Emi said, "I love the diversity of what ABV offers; I identify with its spirit of resourcefulness."

LDWD Centre Group photo.

Paper products from LDWD Centre being sold in Singapore.

Do you have the business skills to give back and change lives? Express interest in volunteering with us.

If you have a tourism-related product or tourism investment project for Braidwood and Villages that you are keen to get off the ground, now is your chance to pitch your idea. Up to five tourism or investment projects will be selected to be worked on or progressed. 

Braidwood and Villages Business Chamber (BAVBC) supported by Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) and Enterprise Plus, will be hosting a Tourism Product Development Workshop on Friday the 9th of February.  

We are inviting community members, groups, and businesses to pitch their tourism-related product or tourism investment project. The panel are looking for new products, catalyst projects, or business ideas to support in seven categories: agri tourism; nature tourism; heritage tourism; visitor information, technology and knowledge services; local area/street improvement projects; and creative and cultural tourism. 

This is an incredible opportunity to have a coordinated focus on your idea.  Our Reference Panel is ready to work on this with you. Simply apply on the link below. 

Three to five pitches will be selected to attend the workshop where under the guidance of our experts, will work towards creating a comprehensive project concept and compelling funding proposal. Our aim is to identify and develop the projects in sufficient detail to assist the project in securing funding and resources needed for implementation in the next 12 months.  A list of criteria is included with the application form. 

The Reference Panel includes members of the Braidwood and Villages Tourism and Investment working group, QPRC, Braidwood and Villages Tourism, Enterprise Plus, Braidwood Community Association, and other invited guests including ABV Volunteer Professor Brian Roberts (Emeritus Professor of Urban and Regional Economic Development) with extensive international experience in over 30 countries, and from the University of Canberra, Associate Professor Brian Weir specialising in Tourism and Events.    

The community has been working on a vision for our local area for some time which identified the need for coordinated tourism initiatives. As the Braidwood and Villages Destination Management Plan formalises and develops, you can expect more of these kinds of workshops, as we aim to provide the tools to develop the Braidwood and Villages business community to its full potential.  

Pitch applications will be received until Monday 5th February, 9am AEDT via the below link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C37TG3T 

Successful applicants will be invited to attend the event to explain their idea. 

The workshop will be held Friday 9th February and will include lunch and morning team. 

For more information, please visit BAVBC Website

 
This project is being facilitated by Australian Business Volunteers and is funded by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF) which is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments. 

ABV proudly announces the appointment of Helen Conway as Board Chair, bringing a distinguished career spanning legal, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors. Helen's wealth of experience and deep commitment to community, diversity, and inclusion make her an outstanding addition to ABV's esteemed board.

Helen Conway expresses "I'm looking forward to working with the Board, management, and the team to extend ABV's reach. The organization's unique business model, built on collaboration with skilled volunteers, is more critical than ever. ABV's track record of building resilience and sustained economic benefit for communities facing challenges is vital work, and I'm committed to its success."

A highly regarded leader and former CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Helen has spent a decade in legal practice and 18 years in the corporate sector. Her diverse directorships in health, transport, and superannuation sectors showcase her commitment to community service, fairness, and inclusion.

Liz Mackinlay, CEO of ABV, expresses excitement about Helen's appointment: "I’m delighted that Helen has taken on the ABV Board Chair role. ABV seeks to innovate, and Helen’s experience across corporate, government, and the not-for-profit sector will be a crucial support as we implement our new strategy. Her commitment to positive change aligns seamlessly with our mission, and we are confident that her leadership will further strengthen our impact."

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