Seventeen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students from across Queensland have embarked on a journey toward business leadership that celebrates First Peoples culture and communities, through their participation in the National Indigenous Business School (NIBS).
Hosted by Griffith University, the immersive seven-day camp introduced students to core principles of business leadership and provided firsthand exposure to a range of successful enterprises.
Students engaged in a business case challenge to test their emerging business skills and were under the guidance of Griffith academics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors and business leaders.
First Peoples business education leader and proud Wakka Wakka woman Professor Kerry Bodle said Griffith University was proud to have hosted NIBS in 2025.
“It was inspiring to watch these 17 young leaders tackle the complex business case challenge related to First Peoples business participation and sustainability for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Professor Bodle said.
“Their ability to engage in a real-world challenge with critical thinking, passion, and cultural insight was impressive, and it’s vital we continue to create spaces where First Peoples students can see themselves as future leaders in business and government.”
Playing the role of investigators in a financial crime scenario, the group was challenged to use forensic accounting techniques to trace fraudulent transactions and analyse evidence with the Academy of Excellence in Financial Crime Investigation and Compliance.
Titans and Indigenous All Stars veteran Corey Thompson talked and shared career insights with the students at CBUS stadium while they enjoyed the live Titans versus Cowboys game.
Several successful First Peoples business entrepreneurs shared their own business insights and stories, including:
- Lane Stockton, founder of Yarn’n toilet paper business
- Jolene Elliott CA, founder of Karlaya First Nations accounting firm
- Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, artist and owner of a Brisbane CBD store
GUMURRII Student Success Unit Indigenous Outreach Coordinator Zania Ludovici connected with the students during the camp and said it was a privilege to share the experience with them.
“The students brought such energy and positivity to the camp, and watching them form new friendships and grow their confidence was incredibly rewarding,” Ms Ludovici said.
“One of the most meaningful aspects of the week was the space we built together – a space where students felt safe to share their stories, listen to ours, and open up with honesty and courage – that sense of trust and connection made this camp feel genuinely unique.
“Our goal is to stay connected and continue engaging with these students throughout the rest of their high school journey to support their goals and walk alongside them as they work toward their futures.”
The program was hosted across Meanjin (Brisbane), and on the land of the Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples (Gold Coast) by Griffith Business School in conjunction with Griffith’s GUMURRII Student Success Unit and was supported by collaborating universities including Queensland University of Technology, the University of Queensland, and Bond University.
The National Indigenous Business School (in Queensland) is an initiative of the Australian Business Deans Council.
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Kerry Bodle
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