Supply Nation celebrates Indigenous business excellence
Supply Nation’s Connect 2025 wrapped in Sydney on Thursday evening, marking the end of a two-day program that brought together more than 5,700 Indigenous businesses and over 850 procurement leaders from government, corporate, and community sectors.
The event, held at ICC Sydney on Gadigal Land, is billed as the country’s largest Indigenous business gathering, with the Supplier Diversity Awards as its centrepiece.
And the winners of the annual Supplier Diversity Awards were announced at a gala dinner, recognising businesses, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and individuals who have made a significant contribution to supplier diversity and excellence in driving a prosperous and vibrant Indigenous business sector.
Connect 2025: Beyond the Horizon, attracted 280 businesses exhibiting at the Indigenous Business Tradeshow with more than 4000 participants travelling from all over Australia and overseas to attend the two-day event.
Supply Nation Chief Executive Officer and proud Awabakal woman, Kate Russell said the Supplier Diversity Awards are a way to support and recognise excellence amongst businesses that are committed to diversified procurement policies and the benefits of working with Indigenous businesses.
“Our recently released research report The Sleeping Giant Rises found that Indigenous-owned businesses are generating $42.6 billion in social value for their households, employees and their families, and they create this social value purely by operating as a business, it excludes any funding support or other philanthropic programs that might be out there,” she said.
Social value refers to the positive changes seen through an Indigenous lens of wellbeing. This value includes improved agency and control over life, expanded aspirations, financial security, pride, physical health and mental wellbeing and stronger connections to Community, Culture and Country.
“Indigenous businesses remain resilient, optimistic, and committed to their values, and this is driving growth and success. The Supplier Diversity Awards honour organisations and individuals that are making a positive difference to prosperity and their communities, and that is something worth celebrating,” said Ms Russell.
Supply Nation verified Indigenous businesses and members sponsor each category of the Supplier Diversity Awards, with the Dr Dean Jarrett Award for Outstanding Impact, recognising one individual or business for significant and long-lasting contributions to the sector.
Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year: Tammy O’Connor, KingKira Group.
The 2025 Supplier Diversity Awards winners:
- Registered Supplier of the Year: TVN On-Country
- Indigenous Exporter of the Year: WV Technologies
- Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year: Djinda Produce and Cater Care Group
- Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year: Tammy O’Connor, KingKira Group
- Sam Tjengala Reuben Award (Young Entrepreneur of the Year): Steven Fordham, Blackrock Industries
- Procurement Professional of the Year: Matthew Plichta, Rio Tinto
- Corporate Member of the Year: CPB Contractors
- Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year: Amy Crookes, EY
- Certified Supplier of the Year: Hardy Fencing Australia
- Government Member of the Year: Department of Defence
- Dr Dean Jarrett Award (Outstanding Impact): TVN On-Country
