December Newsletter 2020

Morrgul has just been awarded a contract from the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development (DPIRD) to support Aboriginal people establish and grow successful businesses in the Dampier Peninsula region.

The sealing of the Cape Leveque Road will really ‘open up’ the Dampier Peninsula. This has been central to much discussion and activity in recent years. The benefits of easier access through the wet season, coupled with increased economic opportunities have been balanced against increased visitor numbers and the impacts on cultural sites, food stocks and community and visitor safety.

The DPIRD contract, titled "Dampier Peninsula Activation Programme" will directly support communities, family groups and individuals to build new and grow existing enterprises to capitalise on more visitation to the Dampier Peninsula. Businesses will also be able to take advantage of the new infrastructure and amenities to be built, effectively unlocking the economic business opportunities arising from the sealing of the road.

Morrgul’s goal will be to assist clients to fulfil their economic aspirations and gain economic independence. The clients will be drawn from four key target groups: Native Title holders (PBCs), Community Aboriginal Corporations, Community/Family Groups and Individuals.

Existing businesses will receive support to capitalise on opportunities and new businesses will be identified and viability assessed.

Morrgul Executive Director Klari Kadar said "We’re excited to win this project. There are big changes coming to the Dampier Peninsula and we look forward to helping our clients benefit from all these opportunities. Morrgul will draw on its knowledge, experience and strong existing relationships to make a positive difference".

The newly sealed Cape Leveque road was officially opened on the 26th of November.

The sealing of the final 90kms of road from Broome to Ardyaloon means easier access to the Dampier Peninsula. The construction took two years and involved numerous contractors, including Morrgul clients. This initiative will bring more growth and commercial opportunities for Aboriginal businesses.

Morrgul attended the official opening and ribbon cutting to support all the Aboriginal businesses involved in this great achievement.

To stay in touch with current clients and key stakeholders and also to establish new relationships, the Morrgul team ‘hit the road’ in early November.

Executive Director Klari Kadar and Business Development Manager Ruth Pearson arrived in Kununurra on November 1. After catching up with Kununurra locals, they spent the next week working their way back to Broome to engage with Morrgul’s clients and partners.

Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek were stopping off points.

Klari Kadar said, "while we are based in Broome, our clients are spread right across the Kimberley. It’s important we get out of the office regularly and meet with people in their local surrounds. Thanks to all those we met. We had a fantastic trip and identified loads of new opportunities"

Look out for updates in the next newsletter.

About Bilingurr Transit

One of the Kimberley’s newest businesses, Bilingurr Transit was established in 2020. Based in the Broome suburb of Bilingurr, the business takes its name from the location’s indigenous area.
It operates a modern 45 seat airconditioned bus, fitted with seat belts.
Bilingurr Transit is an indigenous family business. The family has a long history with the area and the community and saw an opportunity to create something new to service the local area as well as the expanding Dampier Peninsula and its major communities.

Key Services

Charter for day excursions
Travel to and from events and functions
Corporate groups
Sporting clubs, Schools
Wedding parties, Horse races, Speedway
Cruise ship passengers
Airport transfers
Regular passenger service from Broome to Cape Leveque and return: Tourists, locals and small freight deliveries

Meet Beven and the team

Beven Moore is the driver of the new business. In ‘more’ ways than one! A qualified mechanic, Beven had previously worked in the pearling industry. About six months ago he sat down with his family and discussed opportunities for employment and business. Bilingurr Transit evolved from these discussions. There were limited charter bus operations in Broome and the sealing of the road through the Dampier Peninsula was reason for optimism.

Beven is the main driver of the bus and also services and maintains the coach at their dedicated mechanical workshop. Son ‘AJ’ acts as relief driver. Daughter Jade Howard manages all the administration duties and makes sure that excellent customer service is assured.

Beven said "We wanted to develop a sound indigenous business that that would give our family a foundation for the future. As the business grows, other family members will join the team. It’s challenging, but also very exciting".

What customers can expect

The new regular service to Koolijamin (Cape Leveque) and Cygnet Bay will operate three days a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Departing in the morning from the Broome Visitor Centre and Cable Beach bus stop, it will head north and return the Broome in the late afternoon.

Beven went on the say "We will help tourists explore the wonderful Dampier Peninsula and also offer locals a cost effective and reliable way of getting around. And if you’ve got some small freight to ship, we can assist as well".

Morrgul helped Beven and his family establish Bilingurr Transit . "They’ve been really amazing" said Beven. "They have been a great support to get the business to this position and we look forward more of the same for the future" he concluded.

Contact details

Beven Moore 0429 937 161
Jade Howard 0407 654 009

Morrgul’s newest staff member is the highly respected Andy (Andrew) McGaw. With extensive experience, Andy has a long and successful career in Public Health and Aboriginal Community Support and Management. He has worked with numerous Indigenous language groups and is sensitive to these unique cultures.

His business experience and financial acumen are well balanced by his personable and hands-on approach.

Andy will help support the delivery of the Dampier Peninsula contract that Morrgul recently won from the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development. The initiative will support Indigenous businesses to capitalise on opportunities that the sealing of the road on the Peninsula offers.
Andy lives on his rural lot at 12 Mile with four lively kids and their pet peacock "Chicken Nugget"!

Emily is a new member of the Morrgul team. She is a recent graduate of Murdoch University- with a Bachelor of Business (Major in Business Law), and Morrgul is her first professional employment position.

Emily is organised, reliable and has strong problem-solving skills. She co-ordinates Morrgul’s project activities, maintains the project logs and helps create and deliver social media communication.

Em is a ‘demon on the detail’ and has rapidly grown to be a positive contributor to Morrgul and its clients. She is often the first voice on the phone you hear when you call Morrgul.
A native of Broome, in her spare time Emily is a keen swimmer and loves baking.

It was a big year, not without its challenges.

A huge thanks to Morrgul staff, who really went beyond any expectation in supporting COVID-19 impacted businesses. And thank you again to our businesses partners and funders who make it possible for us to provide the support we do. Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development have been core to our operation since February 2017 and more recently, Department of Finance and National Indigenous Australians Agency have allowed us to expand the services we offer. We are grateful for the support and these on-going partnerships.

Also notable is that without the goodwill and collaboration from Water Corporation, Main Roads, Horizon Power, Kimberley Development Commission and Many Rivers, we could not be as effective as we are.

But most importantly, thanks to our clients who continue to have confidence in us and the advice we give.

Our office will close on 18 December and re-open in mid-January. However, we will continue to monitor our phones and emails, should any opportunities arise that need attention.
Wishing you all a well-deserved break and a far more predictable 2021.

Klari Kadar
Executive Director