Indigenous Governance Awards The Australian 31 August 2006

31 AUGUST 2006.

John Stapleton

AT the age of 31 Leonard Ritchie has his first job - as a car detailer in the aboriginal-run enterprise Deadly Detailers in Wagga Wagga in central western NSW.

Yesterday Gannambarra Enterprises, which owns Deadly Detailers, won the Indigenous Governance Award for Australia's best run aboriginal enterprise less than 10 years old, funded by BHP Billiton and presented by Reconciliation Australia.

Manager for Gannambara Enterprises Maria Rodgers said it was not unusual for aboriginals in their mid to late-twenties to have never worked a formal job and a successful business such as Deadly Detailers improved race relations. ``This gives the indigenous people credibility within the whole Wagga Wagga community,'' she said. ``They have low self esteem because they feel they are not worthy of anything. Part of our role is to make them feel they are equals in society.''

She said working with cars was an easy sell to aboriginal men, who loved cars just as much as their European counterparts. ``We are helping them to develop a good work ethic. That is really important. For Leonard Ritchie working here has been very significant. He has made major changes in his life.''

Mr Ritchie said he was proud to be a good role model to his two-year-old daughter Tiajay. Of his past he said: ``It is a long story about that one, you wouldn't want to know. I was brought up criminal minded, and I just decided to change my ways.''

The present is a complete break from his troubled past. ``I can see that I am doing something for the community, other than doing wrong,'' he said. ``People treat me with respect. It's good to say I've done an honest days work.''

One of the judges for the award, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group Heather Ridout, praised the scheme. ``We hear so much bad news about what is going on in indigenous communities, these are the good stories,'' she said. ``These stories will inspire you. All Australians should take their hats off to these people.''

She said as part of her involvement with the Awards she had been obliged to visit an aboriginal community in the Kimberleys in WA. ``These communities are places to go when you want to do something with your life. They take kids and get them to believe in their dreams.''

Ms Ridout said with some isolated communities barely 30 years from first contact, the problems facing aboriginal people should not be understated. ``It is great for business, as part of our broader social role, to take an active interest in these issues,'' she said.

Reconciliation Australia Director Professor Mick Dodson said indigenous success stories helped break the cycle of despair and promoted the wellbeing of aboriginal communities. ``Success is now my guiding light,'' he said.

Finalists included the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre in WA, dedicated to preserving the 30 Aboriginal languages of the region and the Wunan Foundation, also from WA, which provides a business service centre supporting remote community organisations.