10/09/04
Kununurra resident Charmaine Johnson has been selected to receive the Wunan Foundation's inaugural Indigenous Business Cadetship.
Kimberley Minister Tom Stephens said Ms Johnson would spend 12 months developing her business and life skills through placements with the foundation and other local organisations and training at East Kimberley TAFE.
Mr Stephens congratulated the Wunan Foundation, an indigenous investment organisation with a charter to develop an independent economic base for all indigenous people in the East Kimberley, for its initiative in developing the program.
"This is a very practical approach to increasing economic opportunity and building business and administration capacity among local Aboriginal people," he said.
"It will expose cadetship recipients to a wealth of experience in areas such as administration, accounts, sales and marketing, payroll, asset management and computing.
"I encourage East Kimberley businesses to support the program by offering short-term work experience placements for Charmaine and future cadetship recipients.
"Other indigenous organisations could also consider establishing similar programs."
Ms Johnson, who previously worked as a tourism sales and operations trainee at Kimberley Wilderness Adventures, said she was looking forward to the cadetship experience.
"I am keen to learn more about business and am very pleased to have this opportunity to help me develop my career," she said.
Major funding for the $35,000 scholarship was provided through Kimberley Group Training and the Wunan Foundation, with assistance from a $5,000 grant from the State Government's 'Building and Empowering Sustainable Communities Fund' administered by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development.
Organisations interested in providing short-term placements to further Charmaine's development can contact Paul Davis at the Wunan Foundation on 9168 3881.
Minister's Office - 9213 6500
