Celebrating First Nations business excellence in Lutruwita

Lutruwita/Tasmania is booming!

A highlight event on the 2025 Aboriginal Business Month, the Palawa Business Hub showcased the many ways Aboriginal businesses in Lutruwita are growing and thriving.

This year’s Aboriginal Business Showcase was five times larger than last year’s inaugural event – five times the growth is five times the impact! The event featured 30 Tasmanian Aboriginal-owned businesses connecting with more than 300 people who walked through the doors to connect, yarn, and support First Nations entrepreneurs.

The Showcase isn’t just a market for existing businesses – it can be a launching pad for new and emerging enterprises.

“It was our first day selling Lutruwita the Label, and the vibe at the showcase was next level. We couldn’t have asked for a stronger start,” founding owner of Lutruwita the Label Lucy Gardner said.

The ABC’s Ryk Goddard chaired a panel of Leah Brown, Sarah Wilcox and Dewayne Everettsmith, who discussed the experience of Tasmanian Aboriginal businesses and the importance of Aboriginal-led initiatives.

"Aboriginal-led initiatives aren’t just a preference – they’re the key to our success," General Manager of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania Sarah Wilcox said.

The Hub is a collaborative community of more than over 50 majority Tasmanian Aboriginal-owned, enterprises spanning the arts, hospitality and tourism, specialised consultancies, and trades.

The NIAA supports the community-led Palawa Business Hub through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, helping it grow beyond a business directory or market to a cultural powerhouse and a shining example of self-determination.

“You can be an experienced business owner or have an idea – the Hub is about supporting you on your journey, whatever that looks like for you,” Palawa Business Hub co-founder Sara Maynard said.

The Palawa Business Hub was launched in August 2024, led by the community, to support Aboriginal business sector growth and improved Indigenous procurement policy outcomes.

Its advocacy has resulted in a procurement framework review included in the Tasmanian Government’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan 2025-2028.

It also provides tailored business support, connection to specialised advice, training, mentoring and workshops to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses, build capability, and access procurement and partnership opportunities.

More information about the event can be found at Aboriginal Business Month - October 2025.