The Kinaway Chamber of Commerce is proud to present, the Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards 2024!
The Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards are focused on celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business excellence. The Awards recognise the next generation of First Nations businesses, its leaders and the adversity they have had to overcome to be where they are today.
These Awards exist to instil pride within our community, and give First Nations businesses a platform to be recognised. This impact will flow on into communities and show that the role of business ownership is key to intergenerational wealth and success. You can’t be, what you can’t see.
Kinaway, as BIG as you think!
About the Awards
Photo from Kinaway Business Awards 2023
This awards night celebrates Kinaway certified businesses who are achieving outstanding results in their industries as well as our Corporate Partners who are leading Indigenous procurement and collaborations with our businesses.
There are eight (8) Award categories that will be recognised at the Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards that our Corporate Partners have the unique opportunity to put their name to:
Up and Coming Business award
Community Choice Award
Sistas in Business Award
Regional Business Award
Resilience Award
Creative Business Award
The Best Collaboration Award
Karen Milward Excellence Award
There are also two (2) Award categories specific for our Corporate Partners that cannot be sponsored but that we encourage you to nominate your organisation for:
Corporate Innovation in Indigenous Partnership Award
Corporate Partner Excellence Award
Other awards to be presented include; Employee of the Year Award, and Global Alliance Friends of Kinaway Award.
Pride • Purpose • Prosper •
Pride • Purpose • Prosper •
The theme "Pride, Purpose, Prosper" for this year’s Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards, represents three values that help drive us to find
self-determination, and embracing each other as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in business.
Culture, circular economy, community, and celebrating the pride in our people and identity, that ultimately
fuels success.
Important Dates and Information for Nominations and Awards
Nominations Deadline:
Nominations will close on Wednesday, September 25th. Ensure that your submissions are in by this date.
Ticket Sales Launch:
Ticket sales will open on coming SOON!
Be sure to secure your tickets early!
Shortlisting Process:
All shortlisted businesses will be selected based on the nominations received and the completeness of the information provided.
Judging Criteria:
The evaluation of each award will be conducted by a panel of Kinaway staff. Submissions will be assessed against specific criteria, with designated weights applied to their scores to ensure a fair evaluation process.
Announcements:
Shortlisted Businesses: Announcements will be made in October.
Awards Night: Winners will be revealed on Saturday, November 30th during the awards ceremony.
Save the date!
Community Choice Award:
Voting for the Community Choice Award will begin in October, and will be accepting votes through the Kinaway (Me) App. View Instructions on how to download and the benefits of the Kinaway app here:
The Award Categories
Up and Coming Business Award
What is this award?
The Up-and-Coming Business Award is presented to a business at the dawn of its journey yet has established a strong foundation in both its business and industry, poised for growth.
The judges will be looking for a business that has a solid foundation and demonstrates an appetite and capability for growth.
Your nomination must demonstrate how will this award assist elevate your business in the next 12 months (eg. applying for funding, increasing exposure etc.).
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Must have been a registered business prior to 1 July 2023.
Must not have been operating prior to 1 July 2021.
Must be a certified Kinaway member as of 31st October 2024.
Community Choice Award
What is this award?
The Community Choice Award celebrates the exceptional achievements and impact of a Kinaway Member, as decided upon by the unified voice of the Kinaway community and greater networks.
All nominated Kinaway Members across all categories will be put forward to the Kinaway community for voting.
Voting for this award will begin in October, and will be accepting votes through the Kinaway (Me) App. Be sure you have the app downloaded beforehand.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Must be a registered business prior to 1 July 2024
Must have applied for Kinaway membership prior to October 29th, 2024, to qualify
Must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander business (at least 51% or more First Nations business owner)
Corporate Innovation in Indigenous Partnership Award
What is this award?
The Innovation in Indigenous Partnership Award celebrates a Kinaway Corporate Partner that has demonstrated exceptional creativity and originality in supporting Indigenous businesses. This award recognises programs or strategies that introduce unique and forward-thinking solutions to address challenges and create new opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Key criteria for evaluation include the measurable impact with Indigenous businesses and communities, its sustainability and potential for long-term benefits, and the extent of community involvement and collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders. Additionally, the innovation should have the potential for scalability and transferability, allowing other organisations to replicate or adapt the approach to benefit Indigenous businesses elsewhere.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Be able to demonstrate engagement with Indigenous businesses between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
Must be a current Kinaway corporate partner.
Sistas in Business Award
What is this award?
This award celebrates the exceptional achievements of a First Nations, female-led business owner. This recognises not only outstanding business success but also acknowledges how the business owner exemplifies leadership, compassion, and most importantly - the empowerment of women in first nations business.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
The business must demonstrate a significant achievement in the twelve months between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
The business must have been registered prior to 1 July 2023.
The business must be 51% or more, Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander female owned and operated.
Must be a certified Kinaway member as of 31st October 2024.
Regional Business Award
What is this award?
The Regional Business Award acknowledges significant business achievement that a regional business has made in their community and/or industry.
The judges will be looking for the positive impacts and outcomes of your work. This award recognises significant business achievement in regional areas of Victoria within the past twelve months between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Businesses must demonstrate a significant business achievement in the twelve months between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
The business must be registered on the Australian Business Register as being located in Regional Victoria.
The business must have been operating in Regional Victoria during the above period.
Must be a certified Kinaway member as of 31st October 2024.
Resilience Award
What is this award?
This award recognises an Indigenous business that has demonstrated resilience through innovative thinking, strategic action to overcome adversity such as but not limited to;
Mental health and wellbeing,
Community engagement.
Response and recovery,
Staffing difficulties,
Supply chain disruptions.
The judges will be looking for how the nominated business has identified the challenges, the impact on business operations and the actions taken to overcome adversity to increase business productivity since July 2022.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Have experienced a significant unforeseen business disruption event in the past two years (since July 2022)
Must be a registered business prior to 1 July 2022.
Must be a certified Kinaway member as of 31st October 2024.
The Best Collaboration Award
What is this award?
This award recognises an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander business that has collaborated with another Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander business to achieve significant innovation in the past year.
The Best Collaboration Award is presented to a member business demonstrating unique collaboration with notable achievements. The combined efforts of the two Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses are a symbol of how united efforts can achieve great success and have lasting impact.
The judges will be looking for evidence of collaboration from both parties including a joint contribution with demonstrated outcomes.
Please submit one application form with both businesses’ details included for this award with a letter confirming involvement in collaboration from second business.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Must have collaborated with another business in relation to an activity, service or product from 1 July 2023.
The collaboration must be a balanced collaboration involving a partnering process, not only a financial exchange. e.g. a collaboration is NOT one business paying another for services rendered.
At least one member MUST be a certified Kinaway member as of 31st October 2024.
Corporate Partner | Excellence Award
What is this award?
The Corporate Partner Excellence Award is designed to recognise and celebrate a corporate partner that has demonstrated exceptional commitment and success in working with and engaging Aboriginal businesses over the past year. This award highlights organisations that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to support the growth, sustainability, and inclusion of Aboriginal businesses within their operations.
The aim of the Corporate Partner Excellence Award is to honour the corporate partner that has achieved outstanding results in collaborating with Aboriginal businesses. This award acknowledges the significant contributions made by the winning partner in fostering meaningful partnerships, creating economic opportunities, and promoting long-term success for Aboriginal businesses.
This award is distinct from the Corporate Partner Innovation Award, which specifically focuses on innovative approaches. The Corporate Partner Excellence Award celebrates overall excellence in engagement, partnership, and support of Aboriginal businesses.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Be able to demonstrate engagement with Indigenous businesses between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
Must be a current Kinaway corporate partner.
Creative Business Award
What is this award?
The Creative Business Award acknowledges an Indigenous business that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and uniqueness in the fields of arts and creative industries, encompassing design, music, visual art, and other creative practices. It celebrates business innovation, creativity, and strategic direction.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Businesses must demonstrate achievements or be recognised for creative achievements in the period of 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
Must be a registered business prior to 1 July 2023.
Must be a certified Kinaway member as of 31st October 2024.
Global Alliance, Friends of Kinaway Award
The Global Alliance Friends of Kinaway Award is presented to a Chamber of Commerce that has actively taken steps toward educating their stakeholders, with aims of collaboration with Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. Judges will be looking for significant actions and initiatives from Global Alliance members who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to learning about and supporting the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business community, while fostering meaningful collaborations with Kinaway members.
Karen Milward Excellence Award
What is this award?
This award recognises a business that is achieving outstanding outcomes within their field. The Karen Milward Business Excellence Award is dedicated to a business excelling as an industry leader and showcasing exceptional achievements in business practices. Judging criteria extends beyond financial success to encompass excellence in Environmental, Social & Governance, and Cultural impact.
This award has the following eligibility criteria:
Must have been a registered business for at least three (3) years (prior to 1 July 2021)
Must be a majority owned and operated Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander business, at least 51%
Must be a certified Kinaway member as of 31st October 2024.
