October 6th, 2024DJAARA wins Victorian Telstra Business Award: Indigenous Excellence

Central Victoria’s DJAARA is the Victorian winner of the Telstra Best of Business Awards in the Indigenous Excellence category and will go on to represent Victoria on a national stage. 

The recognition comes as DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DDWCAC), turns 20. 

Reflecting on the achievements of the past two decades, Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter pointed to the enormous growth since the Corporation began in 2004 with two staff and 75 Members. 

“We are now one of Central Victoria’s large and growing employers, with around 200 staff and more than 550 Members,” Mr Carter said. 

“As the representative body for Dja Dja Wurrung People – the Traditional Owners of Central Victoria – DJAARA’s focus is on the health and wellbeing of Dja Dja Wurrung People, Country and Culture.

“We aim for Dja Dja Wurrung People to be empowered with an established place in society and able to manage our own affairs from a strong and diverse economic base. 

“The Corporation’s commitment to good governance, solid business practices and future planning, has enabled it to sustain rapid growth.

“We have been able to diversify, to take a wholistic approach towards self-determination. This has included establishing three enterprises: natural resource management and design business DJANDAK, DUMAWUL, a creative arts and cultural tourism social enterprise, and bush foods venture DJAKITJ.”