Social procurement: First Nations jobs & wellbeing

Explore how social procurement can support First Nations employment and wellbeing.

This event will showcase social procurement in action in Geelong. Employment is a core social determinant of health. For First Nations Australians, secure and culturally safe work drives economic stability. Addressing the employment gap reduces the overall health gap between First Nations and non-Indigenous populations by over a third.

Attendees will hear directly from businesses, employment services, and organisations delivering positive impact in Geelong through social procurement practices.

This session raises awareness of First Nations self determination through Treaty, Closing the Gap and reconciliation efforts. It aligns with the 2026 Reconciliation Australia theme ‘All In’, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.

The session is designed for the Geelong community, with a focus on the business community, and is open to all.

Includes keynote, panel discussion and Q&A, plus resources and links to support ongoing engagement and action.

Program

MC

Troy Benjamin, Founder Blak Brews (and Winner of Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars)

Keynote Presentation (30 minutes)

Joel Wright, MobJobs

• Social procurement within the context of First Nations employment as a social determinant of health


• Alignment with Closing the Gap, self-determination and the 2026 Reconciliation Week theme ‘All In’


• Examples of social procurement practices by businesses and local councils across Australia

Panel Discussion and Q&A (60 minutes)

Panellists will share their work, followed by Q&A

• Michelle Searle, Executive Director Foundations & Future, Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative
  
  
  
  • Expanding services – Booln Booln and the Morgan St redevelopment project. 
  
  
  
  


• Brooke Hyland, Head of Social Impact, Give Where You Live Foundation, Geelong Region Opportunities for Work (GROW)
  
  
  
  • Why is social procurement important and how it can be approached. 
  
  
  
  


• Local First Nations businesses – TBC

KEYNOTE BIOGRAPHY

Uncle Joel Wright

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Wright has contributed extensively to Victorian Aboriginal organizations and held several prominent national roles. Some of his experience includes:

·         Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated

·         Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

·         Founding Producer for ‘Speaking Out’, the ABC’s national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander current affairs program

·         Member of the ACTU National Executive (Indigenous representative) and Chair of the ACTU Indigenous Committee

·         Indigenous Researcher and Consultant for the NSW Police Academy as part of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

·         Senior Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Broadcasting & Communications

·         CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages

Mr. Wright received tri-partisan endorsement as an independent lobbyist and served in the Australian Parliament for six years, advocating for Indigenous rights in higher education. He was appointed an observer to the Federal Government’s National Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council by the Acting Prime Minister (Dr. Brendan Nelson).

As Federal Indigenous Officer for the National Tertiary Education Union, Mr. Wright was responsible for negotiating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment strategies and educational pathway frameworks across 40 Australian universities.

Additionally, he co-facilitated a series of statewide workshops in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, to support the reinstatement of Aboriginal placenames throughout Victoria.

Currently a member of the First Peoples Assembly, Chair of the Self Determination Funds Advisory and Investment Committee and he has recently been inducted into the 2026 Victorian State Governments Aboriginal honour roll. Mr. Wright is currently the Corporate Development Manager for Mob Jobs.

Access to Wurriki Nyal during the Geelong Small Business Festival (3–7 August)

If you're attending the Geelong Small Business Festival at Wurriki Nyal, please allow extra travel time and plan ahead.

Early works at the nearby Dennys Lascelles Woolstore redevelopment may affect traffic, parking and pedestrian access around Bayley Street, Gheringhap Street and Brougham Street during the festival. Please follow any on-site signage and temporary detours.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to welcoming you to the festival.

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The Geelong Small Business Festival is delivered by the City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce.