Initiative to give back to district
A VARIETY of products made within the Kowanyama community will now feature in retail outlets across Far North Queensland.
Indigenous retail operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) has launched the new partnership and has linked with Dreamtime Solutions, which offers training for sewing and craft projects, as a host provider to five indigenous communities across Northern Australia such as Kowanyama.
CEQ will subsidise the products at a reduced sale price to make them affordable at its ABIS retail stores at Kowanyama, Doomadgee and Lockhart River, as well as Mona’s Bazaar on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait.
The stores currently stock 100 per cent Kowanyamamade elastic-waisted skirts and are also looking to expand with other ranges, including pillow cases, curtains, bags, dresses, tops and jewellery.
CEQ merchandise general manager Casey Kelly said the company was proud to help empower Kowanyama women to become economically independent and create their own enterprise.
“CEQ has been proudly servicing remote communities in Northern Australia for more than 100 years and we always play an active role in the communities where we operate,” she said. “Giving back is a core value of our company and we’re thrilled to be able to play a role in supporting the Kowanyama community with this great initiative.”
Renée Schoder of Dreamtime Solutions said the company aimed to help Kowanyama residents to become more financial through the sale of items they learn to make.
“Kowanyama is not situated on any tourist drive as such, therefore jobs are often limited and the transport of food and necessities makes it expensive to purchase amenities,” she said.