THE CARLTON Football Club today celebrated the launch of the ‘Loorende-gat Business and Entrepreneur’ program with the support of co-major sponsor Great Southern Bank.
Loorende-gat, the Woi Wurrung word for ‘guidance’, was specially gifted to the Club for the program by Wurundjeri Senior Elder Aunty Di Kerr.
A club first, the program is aimed at creating and fostering a thriving community of First Nations people and businesses.
Delivered at IKON Park over three months and created in consultation with local First Nations groups, participants will gain access to business mentors to develop skills in business culture, leadership, finance, networking, marketing, strategy, and governance.
Carlton Football Club CEO Brian Cook shared the Club’s pride in the implementation of the new program, believing it will continue to foster important relationships between the Club and the First Nations Community.
“We’re extremely proud to launch the Loorende-gat Business and Entrepreneur program here at IKON Park and are thankful for the support of our co-major sponsors Great Southern Bank in helping us bring this initiative to life,” Cook said
“This program will provide the First Nations businesses with access to great tools and people in the business world, as well as help our Club improve our own connection with the community.
“Loorende-Gat additionally highlights the Club’s ongoing commitment to our Reconciliation Action Plan, recognising the community’s call for developing programs which build self-determination for First Nations people.”
Great Southern Bank Chief Executive and Managing Director Paul Lewis shared in Cook’s sentiment in launching Loorende-gat, excited to provide opportunities for the First Nation’s Community.
“We see entrepreneurship as a key pathway towards financial inclusion, economic self-determination, and home ownership," Lewis said
"We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with the Carlton Football Club support by co-founding such a ground-breaking program that has the potential to inspire and equip a new generation of aspiring First Nations business owners with the skills, confidence and networks necessary to realise their financial goals."
The Carlton Football Club would additionally like to extend its thanks to Kinaway Chamber of Commerce for their unwavering support in launching the Loorende-gat Business and Entrepreneur program.
