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Balgo women’s collective get back to work

Headshot of Elise Van Aken
Elise Van AkenThe Kimberley Echo
Balgo woman Cindy Njamme at the Piriwa Op Shop.
Camera IconBalgo woman Cindy Njamme at the Piriwa Op Shop. Credit: Supplied

A collective of Balgo women have gone back to work on a variety of entrepreneurial opportunities, after pandemic restrictions put a pause on their plans.

Enterprise Partnerships WA returned to Balgo Community, for the first time since COVID-19 restrictions were imposed, to facilitate an intensive week of workshops from August 18 to 25.

Local women were assisted in exploring micro-enterprise possibilities including the ongoing development of the Piriwa Op Shop, products made from native plants such as lip balm and hair oil, and food catering.

Seeing the Op Shop operating again in Balgo for the first time since COVID-19, and flooded with lively customers, elder Helen Nagomara said she felt proud.

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“I’m very happy about this place,” she said.

“I feel good. I’m proud of this place.”

EPWA began to work with women in Balgo in July 2019, building on its long-term work with Kalumburu women, supported by East Kimberley Job Pathways.

Beauty products products made from native plants by Kathleen Nelson.
Camera IconBeauty products products made from native plants by Kathleen Nelson. Credit: Supplied

EPWA director Clare Wood said a number of women in Balgo keenly expressed the need for an op shop during EPWA’s first trip, with profits being returned to the business to employ a local woman to manage the Op Shop.

“At a collective meeting, elder Gracie Nanala suggested Piriwa as a suitable name for the op shop, a type of Grevillia that blossoms in this country around September which gives a sweet-tasting honey,” she said.

EPWA also supported the women’s continued exploration of making soap, lip balm and hair oil products from specific bush plants, which saw young and old out on country collecting supplies and learning new skills.

Screen printing was undertaken as an attractive and environmentally friendly option for packaging the products.

Five Balgo women also attended the East Kimberley Aboriginal Leaders and Women in Business Forum near Halls Creek, travelling with the support of the Kapululangu Aboriginal Women's Law and Culture Centre.

Ngaringgas in Business was established by Kununurra-based Kimberley Birds managing director Natasha Short, for women from all over the east Kimberley.

Ms Wood said the forum provided a unique opportunity for women from Balgo and Kalumburu who worked with EPWA in their communities.

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