09/06/2026
In early May, our Breakfast with Purpose brought together 70 local businesses and community leaders at Kaiela Arts to talk about First Nations economic inclusion in the Goulburn Murray region.
The event was organised with Institute and Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation for Plan Champions for the Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity Plan, alongside local Aboriginal business owners and entrepreneurs.
Our Art Centre Manager Anita Larkin spoke about how the Plan challenges zero-sum thinking around economic growth, reframing First Nations culture and identity as regional assets rather than deficits. "Every time Kaiela Arts sells an artwork, delivers a program, employs an Aboriginal person, we are not taking something from this region, we are adding to it," she said.
We also heard from our Curator & Gallery Manager Chloe Jones and Marketing and Development Trainee Mya Falla on their journeys from being young program participants and artists, to now being staff and emerging cultural leaders. Dan Wright from Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation talked about the Yirramboi Business Initiative and Dr Paul Briggs delivered a keynote reflecting on what the Prosperity Plan represents in the broader sweep of the region's history and future.
It is part of an ongoing legacy, and a vision in which our region becomes a national example of what is achievable when a community pulls together, commits to real change, respects First Nations culture and ensures full economic access for First Nations peoples.
The event closed with a call to action for Plan Champions in the room to consider how their own organisations can contribute to keeping the Plan's momentum strong.
To find out more visit www.kaielainstitute.org.au
