Our Board

Chair, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

palawa/tommeginne

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Trent has over 17 years experience in the business and ICT, working for ten years within the Victorian government, culminating in attainment of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) role at Parks Victoria as the youngest and only Aboriginal CIO in Australia at the time. For the past seven years, Trent has primarily worked as a Principal Consultant for PARIO Solutions Group before establishing his own consultancy MobCo.

Trent draws experience from a diverse career as a chef, Parliamentary Intern, Victorian public servant, Board Director, Consultant, Coach and Mentor, and small business owner/operator.

Trent’s strengths lie in the areas of strategy, governance, enterprise architecture, business analysis, project management and business/technology alignment.

Co-Chair, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

taungurung

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Lawrence is a proud Taungurung descendant born on Wamba Wamba country Swan Hill. Lawrence is a qualified Teacher and has undertaken a number of roles across Victorian State government from education, employment, justice, community capacity building, corrections Victoria, land management, Rail Projects Victoria and Victoria Legal Aid.

Lawrence has undertaken CEO roles for Aboriginal Community Controlled organizations and NSW Lands Councils bringing community together for Self Determination and Reconciliation working to Close the Gap. Lawrence has also undertaken the role of Responsible Person for a Registered Aboriginal Party under the Victorian Cultural Heritage Act overseeing many cultural heritage management plans and the protection of cultural values on country.

Lawrence is a business owner in his own right and has a joint venture business in transport and logistics. Lawrence has firsthand experiences and knowledge of the success and failures of Victorian Indigenous Procurement strategies and is actively involved in forums seeking to address the skills shortages across the state with a focus on opportunities for Aboriginal business, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organizations. Additional focus areas include Victorian Agriculture, Extractive Minerals and Renewable Energy sectors, particularly equity sharing.

Board Member, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

Trawlwoolway

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David is the Managing Director of Luggarrah, a wholly Aboriginal owned business located in Stawell, Western Victoria. Founded in 2018, Luggarrah, meaning ""play, fun, and diversion"" in his language, embodies these themes by connecting diverse regional youth with the tech industry through innovative events and immersive workshops. His work focuses on upskilling First Nations people, transforming them from consumers to creators and fostering cultural storytelling through video games.

David has significantly contributed to the tech community, including leading the first Indigenous panel at PAX Melbourne in 2019. He was also the first Australian awarded the Jerry Lawson Grant for Career Development by Blacks at Xbox. An upcoming Indigenous entrepreneur, David is renowned both locally and internationally for integrating cultural representation in the gaming industry. His leadership extends to hosting workshops at the Digital Innovation Festival, aiming to enrich the future of Indigenous representation in games.

Board Member, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

Ngarrindjeri

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Nicole Appleton is not only breaking barriers as an Aboriginal business owner, but she is also leading the way with the only wholly Aboriginal female-owned plant hire business in Victoria, working across major transport infrastructure projects such as the Level Crossing Removal Project.

As the Director at NLA Trucking and a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, Nicole brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep commitment to cultural diversity.

With a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives and fostering collaboration, she prioritises excellence and innovation to optimise operations and exceed client expectations.

Nicole is particularly passionate about championing women in construction, advocating for their empowerment and representation in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Board Member, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

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Michael is a dynamic and versatile professional with a strong track record of leadership across multiple industries, combining technical expertise with entrepreneurial drive. As a proud Aboriginal business owner and advocate, he brings a unique perspective and deep commitment to supporting Indigenous economic empowerment and sustainable growth.

Michael currently serves as a Signal Maintenance Technician with Metro Trains Melbourne, where he ensures the safety and efficiency of Victoria’s critical rail infrastructure. His role demands precision, accountability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, qualities he carries into all his ventures.

Beyond his technical career, Michael is the Director of two successful businesses: Melbourne Jerky, a premium snack brand delivering locally made, flavour-packed products across Australia, and Spartan Mobile Security, a trusted provider of customised security solutions for clients in diverse sectors. Both ventures reflect his focus on quality, innovation, and community.

As a Kinaway board member, Michael is passionate about creating pathways for Aboriginal business success. He brings hands-on business experience, a deep understanding of operational and strategic challenges, and a genuine desire to foster collaboration, growth, and cultural integrity within the Indigenous business community.

Board Member, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

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