Ani Gun Ya! Welcome to the MANDURAH Hunter Indigenous Business Chamber Website!

Mandurah is an initiative aimed at supporting the development and growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and the creation of Indigenous employment opportunities across the Hunter Region. (Mandurah is a word used traditionally by Aboriginal people for trade or as we say now ‘doing business’. Traditionally pronounced 'manjar' the word originates from Western Australia).

Our History

Mandurah Hunter Indigenous Business Chamber was established to provide Indigenous people, businesses and organizations in the Hunter region with a forum where they can be supported and support each in business.
Prior to the establishment of Mandurah HIBC, few Indigenous people operating businesses in the Hunter were participating as members of local business Chambers and Associations. This was limiting their access to essential Industry networks and knowledge, and the strategic alliances that are formed by developing mutually beneficial business relationships.
Mandurah HIBC was established to provide business support and capacity development opportunities to the Indigenous businesses and organizations in the Hunter. It was expected that the initiative would have a major positive impact on Indigenous Economic Development in the Hunter and inspire the establishment of future State and National models.

Since Mandurah HIBC’s first steps the South East Queensland Chamber of Commerce followed along with various other Indigenous business networks such as PACA the Pilbara Aboriginal Contractors Association.
During the past 2 years these Grass Roots Chambers of Commerce and Networks have been working closely to achieve our common goal to build the capacity of the Indigenous Business Supply Chain.
Together, we share a united voice advocating at the local level for improved programs and initiatives to better resource the sector. Mandurah HIBC works in partnership with the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC), the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC) and the Indigenous Business Council of Australia (IBCA) to advocate and lobby Government and Corporate Australia at the Regional, State and National level to improve Indigenous access to procurement opportunities and to influence program and policy change to better accommodate the sector.

Our Role

Mandurah Hunter indigenous Business Chamber (Mandurah HIBC) support and enhance the employment, economic and social prosperity of Indigenous peoples across the Hunter region by building the capacity of Indigenous Businesses.
We the Chamber work with Indigenous Entrepreneurs to research and develop their business initiatives and encourage an entrepreneurial culture within Indigenous Communities of the Hunter.
Mandurah HIBC also works with Indigenous Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Peak Indigenous Bodies to advocate and lobby on behalf of the Indigenous Business Sector with the united vision of a Country which encourages equitable representation by Indigenous Businesses in the supply chain to Government and Corporate Australia.
Mandurah HIBC represents our members and showcases Indigenous business success stories to celebrate and promote our unique position in the Australian Business Landscape. We hope that by sharing these experiences we can inspire other Indigenous business operators to join the Chamber network to share and learn from each other and to increase their business exposure and opportunity.

"We believe in our vision and we believe that by working together with our members, our partners and our sponsors we will achieve a unique business sector in the Hunter which is recognised for delivering quality products and services and one which inspires our future generations." - Debbie Barwick, CEO and Chairperson

Mandurah HIBC offers Members support through;

• Advocacy
• Networking Functions
• Business Links & Referrals
• Promotional Opportunities
• Training
• Guidance, Mentoring & Coaching
• Up to date information

The underlying objective of Mandurah Hunter Indigenous Business Chamber of Commerce is to provide Aboriginal people with better social and economic outcomes.