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Expanding for growth – Indigenous Business Australia

01 March 2022
Jobs, Land and Economy
A man and two boys kneel on a skin on the ground. The man holds a long stick on the ground. One boy holds another stick at right angles from above and spins the stick in his hands. The other boy looks on.

WA based cultural awareness business, Koomal Dreaming had tourism contracts cancelled due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Thanks to an IBA loan and grant, owner Josh Whiteland has diversified and re-directed the business.

Like so many tourism businesses hit by the COVID-19 shutdowns, Koomal Dreaming was hurting. The Margaret River, WA based business gave guests the chance to taste native foods, experience traditional fire lighting practice and visits deep into the Ngilgi Cave.

Business owner Josh Whiteland had built the business over a period of 10 years, but contracts with tourism operators and cruise ships were now cancelled.

‘It has been a very distressing time for us with a lot of fear of the unknown, what may or may not be ahead of us,’ Josh said.

‘The idea of taking on a loan whilst in this vulnerable position was very daunting.’

Thanks to an IBA Business Relief Package loan and grant, he was able to adjust his service and focus on the school side of the business. He had a chance to step back and review his business and find ways to work smarter, not harder.

‘With the IBA business loan and grant we now have a real chance at business recovery. We can now financially put plans into action to diversify and re-direct our business,’ Josh said.

Read the full story of Josh’s experience at Expanding for growth.

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Indigenous Business Australia’s (IBA) role is to enhance economic development opportunities for Indigenous Australians including those who are starting or growing their own business.