Prime Minister Tony Abbott met Kiara College students who performed in Canberra.
Camera IconPrime Minister Tony Abbott met Kiara College students who performed in Canberra. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Canberra’s taste of Swan

Sally McGlewMidland Kalamunda Reporter

Presented by the City of Swan, there were 28 businesses showing food, wine, artwork, and cultural artefacts from the region.

Business owners and entrepreneurs met ministers and explained to them their needs and ideas for enhancing the area.

Young indigenous entrepreneurs met the Prime Minister after performing in the Great Hall in Parliament House to a large crowd.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

"I never thought I would meet the Prime Minister and I did; attending the camp has actually been life changing for me," Kiara College Year 12 student Jay McLean said.

"I hope that one day I will be able to tell my kids that I never worked a day for anyone else " I always had my own business.�

Students at the college enrolled in the Ausum Entrepreneurship program, which they finished in January.

Since then, they have self-run business Baldja Moort with Jay, Dakota Baker, Derek Nannup and Desi Farrell performing traditional dances and workshops at events and schools in Western Australia.

Sponsored to attend the Swan Valley Endless Experience by the City of Swan, Department of Child Protection and Ausum Initiatives, the boys represented not only small business in Swan but also Aboriginal culture and entrepreneurship as a way of building the capacity and financial sustainability of young people in a time of high youth unemployment.

Ausum chief executive Liz Prescott said the showcase had been a powerful experience for the boys and enabled them to meet and discuss issues facing Aboriginal students with ministers.

Swan Mayor Charlie Zannino said the event was a chance to spread the word about the great things coming out of the abundant region to the east of Perth.

"The response from those attending the showcase was just brilliant and overall there were 3000 pieces of food prepared by our wonderful Swan Valley chefs consumed and over a thousand glasses of Swan Valley wine enjoyed," Cr Zannino said.

�Businesses also had the chance to share what it is that makes our region so special with those at the top end of town and to encourage more people to invest, promote and visit the region.

�The event was hosted by Anna Gare and was attended by senators and ministers.

"Prime Minister Tony Abbott was particularly interested in the work of local indigenous clothing company Brothaboy and all of the 28 Swan Valley and Surrounds businesses who attended the showcase paid their own way across to Canberra and made the most of the opportunity."