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Desiree and her two younger sisters enjoyed sitting down for a yarn about life and what ‘financial wellbeing’ means to them. IBA recently hosted a workshop at Kurbingui Youth & Family Development to support the community on their financial goals.
Kurbingui is an Aboriginal community-based and driven not-for-profit organisation that offers services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, families, children, and young people living within the Greater Brisbane, Moreton Bay, and Southeast Regions.
IBA’s home ownership guru, and Senior Business Development Manager, Jenny Pepper hosted the workshop and was touched by the group’s interest in the content discussed.
"This is the second session I've facilitated with new trainees at Kurbingui. Dani and the team recognise the importance of setting these young people up for success as they start in the workforce. One young man told me, 'Thanks for coming today. I might not have looked like I was listening, but I was. The things you talked about really opened my mind up.' Hearing this was music to my ears and absolutely filled my cup," said Jenny.
The financial decisions you make today can have a lasting impact, so getting the tools and information early helps to make informed decisions for the future. It’s all about implementing good habits now – and that’s what IBA shares through our ‘Financial Wellbeing’ workshops.
Desiree came to the workshops along with her two younger sisters to see what it was all about. She said, "The workshop was incredibly eye-opening. It made us really think about our spending habits and how we can manage our money better.”
“One thing I learned is that if you're constantly dipping into your savings, you're not really saving. So, I've decided to create separate bank accounts to avoid that temptation," said Desiree - one of her key take aways from the workshop.
Desiree also talked about how the workshop is helping her on her journey to home ownership.
"It's already made a big difference. I'm trying to teach these principles to my younger sisters. It's all about making sacrifices now for a better future" she said.
Being at the workshop with her sisters was a special experience for Desiree.
"It felt really good to be there as a family. We can now support and encourage each other to make better financial decisions. It's opened our eyes to how much we actually spend and how we can save more effectively."
Desiree's motivation to pursue home ownership reflects the positive trends highlighted in our Pathways through Housing report. The report shows that the number of First Nations households owning homes has more than tripled from 46,150 in 2001 to 145,100 in 2021.
This growth reflects a strong desire for self-determination and the benefits of home ownership, such as security, wealth building, and freedom of choice. Desiree's journey is a testament to these positive trends, showing how financial education and support can pave the way for successful home ownership.
As we look to the future, Desiree's words resonate with IBA’s mission, "it's about making sacrifices now for a better future" she said. This sentiment perfectly aligns with the 50th anniversay of IBA's Indigenous Home Ownership Program.
Our theme, "50 Years: Through the Generations," embodies the resilience, wisdom, and courage of past generations while celebrating the innova tion and passion of the present.
IBA’s 50th anniversary emblem embodies connection, progress, and community. The 5 and 0 are formed from the elements of the IBA brand and feature the shapes within the IBA logo. These lines and circles signify the pathways, and the milestones accomplished alongside our customers. The design honours our shared journey and achievements through the generations.
Desiree's journey and the experiences shared in our workshops are a testament to the power of community and the importance of financial education. Together, we are building a brighter future for all generations.
Join us as we continue to empower our community with the knowledge and tools to achieve financial wellbeing and home ownership.
Find out more about IBA’s free home ownership info sessions and financial wellbeing workshops.
Did you know that we also have Business Skills workshops? Find out more here.
