About Piari 
I am a proud Githabul (Northeast New South Wales) and Ghungalu (Central Queensland, around the Mount Morgan area) man. I grew up in Lismore, NSW until I was about 15 but then finished my schooling in Sydney. I managed to get a scholarship with a football (soccer) academy in Sydney, which included a fully-paid England tour, where I played against academies of some big English football clubs such as Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion. I am a big Liverpool fan and couldn’t live without football.
Outside of football, I have a beautiful partner and we have two daughters. I love spending time with them.
What is your role at IBA?
I am a Home Lending Officer located in Brisbane at our Meanjin office. My role includes undertaking customer interviews, assessing someone’s eligibility for an IBA housing loan, providing information to customers to support their home ownership journey, preparing loan submissions for approval, as well as loan documentation and other correspondence. Also, I run workshops in relation to home ownership and budgeting to teach skills on how to better manage cashflow.
Journey to IBA
I finished high school and went straight into the workforce. I started off with admin work at Concord hospital in Western Sydney before moving to Brisbane and taking on an Indigenous traineeship with the Commonwealth Bank. This led to opportunities in home loan service and home lending roles during my four-year tenure with them.
I had always known about IBA since I was a young kid through family. Knowing the positive outcomes that we can bring to community; I saw the opportunity arise to work for IBA and couldn’t turn it down. I started in my role with IBA in early January 2023.
Why IBA
The workplace feels very culturally safe and allows for better connections between staff, and also between staff and our borrowers. We do have a connection and understanding when we speak to each other.
Working with mob is important because we are so diverse within our own community. Having mob from all areas work here for the same goal or outcome is important, as it allows us to see things from different perspectives., As we know, issues are rarely “one size fits all”.
What TV show or Movie is on repeat and why?
It has to be Happy Gilmore, that movie is peak comedy. Too many quotes I could pull from that movie, that are all hilarious. Could really say that about any mid-late 90’s Adam Sandler film to be fair.
Have you seen our new 'Feel Good Friday' campaign on Facebook?
We're thrilled to celebrate the success stories of our valued customers who are proud to share their special kodak moments with IBA – and thanks to all our fab staff that make these happy customers!
We are committed to fostering a culture of celebration, and that includes acknowledging the accomplishments of our customers. By sharing their success on our platforms, we hope to motivate and inspire others to do the same for their families, create generational wealth, and take that next step towards financial freedom.
If you're an IBA home loan customer and would like to share your pics and be a part of this campaign, please let us know at iba.corporate@iba.gov.au.
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Get on the wild side, the buck wild side, and check out the Black Magic Woman vodcast - Episode #112 featuring Lacey Long a proud Kamilaroi woman and owner of Buck Wild Country. Lacey talked with vodcast host, Mundanara Bayles, about her business journey, family/friends, and words of inspiration to all inspiring entrepreneurs.
Previously working in government agencies and even starting her first business of a clothing boutique at 18, Lacey always knew she would be in business. She transitioned into her current business, Buck Wild Country, after a need for lifestyle change now that she has a daughter – her focus was to merge her inspirations both as a business owner and as a parent.
With a business start-up loan from IBA, Lacey used the funds to purchase stock for the men’s and children’s clothing line of Buck Wild Country.
The business is inspired by BOHO country aesthetic with a variety of clothing to live your ‘buck wild side’. With beautiful hand drawn designs, Lacey’s business goes beyond country and continues to grow.
From what started with one design for men, the business quickly grew to over 20 designs for men, women, and children. Today, Buck Wild Country is proudly an Australian country lifestyle and fashion brand, built with love for the whole family.
As part of our Strong Women Strong Business network, Lacey spoke at a Lunch & Learn session last year that brought together her business experience with the importance of money management.
In the recent Black Magic Woman vodcast, Lacey shared some words of wisdom and reality to aspiring business owners: “Just go for it, start with your friends and family. Don’t give up and keep going, there’s going to be hurdles.”
With these inspiring words, the only thing holding you back, is you.
Watch the vodcast episode or check out Buck Wild Country across socials or on their website, buckwildcountry.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IBA is proud to sponsor a series of strong women in business for this year’s Black Magic Woman pod- and vod-casts. If you would like more info on all the Black Magic Woman yarns, visit the website, blackmagicwoman.com.au/iba-partnership-series/.
To find out more about how you can start or grow a business, visit Starting a business.
Desirae works in our Loan Management Team in our Brisbane Office on Turrbal and Yuggera Country. 
I am a Maori woman who was born in Australia but was raised in Hamilton, New Zealand. I have been working in the collections industry for 13 years. Eventually I ventured to IBA around three years ago and joined the Brisbane Loan management team.
My role here at IBA is a Principal Loan Management Officer. This is a key role within the Loan Management team, building rapport with our borrowers, providing hardship assistance and solutions to support our borrowers to remain in home ownership. In addition to my role, I also facilitate Budgeting and Understanding Credit workshops online and worked 11 months in an acting Assistant Manager role within Loan Management.
I love working at IBA because of the connection to culture, and the values we have align with my own personal beliefs. I especially love the aspect of helping our borrowers, networking and how we continue to find ways to grow as an organisation.
I resonate with dragonflies. The dragonfly has been a symbol of happiness, new beginnings, and change. They are known to only live for one day and are a reminder to live your life to the fullest and make the most of each moment.
On the recent episode (#110) of Black Magic Woman, Mundanara Bayles hosted Priscilla Mason, a proud Worimi woman and one of the directors of Indigeco. Priscilla talked about her passion for promoting employment opportunities for Indigenous individuals and communities.
Started in 2017 with funding provided by IBA via a start-up loan package, Indigeco is a Supply Nation certified business that specialises in recruitment across both regional and metropolitan areas.
“Money was tight, but IBA took a chance on me. I can’t thank them enough,” says Priscilla.
With a start from humble upbringings and experience in the construction industry, Priscilla and her husband, Todd, saw the opportunity for growth in Aboriginal employment. In the beginning they started off on small construction sites, with only two labours. Now they provide several services ranging from employment, consulting on major construction projects and more.
The business now also has a training side of things with MobReady, which has VET accreditation to skill up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to find career pathways in the labour hire space.
Indigeco continues their relationship with IBA as they grow. They use our invoice financing, a service that helps our customers whose cash flow can’t keep up with their growth.
“I still use them (IBA) today. They are fantastic,” says Priscilla.
Find out more about Indigeco’s story through the vodcast or visit their website, indigeco.com.au.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IBA is proud to sponsor a series of strong women in business for this year’s Black Magic Woman pod- and vod-casts. If you would like more info on all the Black Magic Woman yarns, visit the website, blackmagicwoman.com.au/iba-partnership-series/.
To find out more about how you can start or grow a business, visit iba.gov.au/business/.
Did you know that IBA offers so much more than just providing loans? Even before you put in an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a home loan, we are here for you.
IBA’s Home Ownership program offers a series of workshops which provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are interested in home ownership, with the information and tools to move forward.
The workshops are an excellent opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable knowledge and confidence to navigate the process.
“Workshop attendees will better understand IBA’s home loan products, the assessment process including timeframes, home loan eligibility criteria and how to identify potential barriers and use the information to get financially ready.” says IBA’s Jenny Pepper, , who runs many of the workshops.
“Completing a home loan application takes time and effort to gather and collate information. By providing the option to find out more information through our workshops, our customers are in a better position to prepare themselves well for home ownership.”
“Thanks heaps for the information,” says recent IBA Home Ownership workshop attendee Catelyn. “This will be helpful in moving forward and planning ahead. It brings me hope that home ownership is possible if I follow the right steps”.
Catelyn is looking forward to learning more, and putting this learning into practice. After the first workshop she also signed up for ‘Create a Budget' and 'Understanding Credit' workshop.
Another attendee Tiffany, agrees. “‘We enjoyed the session and it has given us the confidence and information to continue to work towards home ownership in the next 18 months.”
Workshops are mainly run online, customers are beginning to recognise the benefits these workshops provide and have been attending in droves, with average 30-50 per session. From time-to-time we also offer face-to-face workshops in limited locations.
Workshops include:
Find out about IBA’s workshops
Aleksandra - Alex currently works in the Legal Team at our Sydney Office on beautiful Gadigal Country. 
I was originally born in Croatia and moved to Australia when I was five, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Later, I studied Law and Science with a major in Biology at Western Sydney University for about six years.
I completed internships and learned about Native Title and Indigenous Rights through Aurora Internships. I was placed in different areas and through my internship experience I learnt the significance of connection and relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and country.
From there I applied to Indigenous Business Australia and started as a paralegal until I got my practicing certificate, now I am where I am today.
I originally started out as a paralegal until I gained my certificate to practice law and then eventually became a lawyer for the Legal team.
As a junior on the team, I am fortunate to work with the incredible team members on complex transactions. I also get to do a variety of tasks like drafting agreements, drafting loans, and doing legal research so every day is different. I particularly enjoy learning about privacy matters. Everyone in the team is so skilled and it is a real privilege to learn from them.
There’s so much to like about IBA, I feel like I’ve won the lottery. Everyone is so warm and welcoming, working at IBA feels like I’m making an impact for the better. The culture here and the variety of work makes me feel lucky to be here.
My guilty pleasure is a show called Kitchen Nightmares. I watch YouTube clips of the show but the person who reposts them uses Gen Z humour for the clip titles.
Black Arc Industries are a 100% Indigenous owned business in Alice Springs NT that does custom welding, modifications, and repairs on steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. 
Hayden Jude is a proud Batcho man of the Larrakia family and the owner of Black Arc Industries. He talked to IBA about the hard work of running a business and how to keep things real when it’s a family business.
What’s the best thing about owning your own business?
The best thing about owning your own business is that you get to be your own boss. You get to have the freedom to make decisions that align with your personal values and goals.
I also have opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our clients and employees. By creating a positive work environment and providing quality products and services, you can help others achieve their own goals and aspirations.
How has IBA helped you and/or your business?
We used a business loan to purchase a truck, trailer, and excavator, which have been valuable assets for the business.
IBA believed in me and my business plan and worked alongside us to get things happening. Through IBA we have also been put in contact with various other organisations which has been instrumental in the success of the business.
If yours is a family business, what’s the secret to making it work?
Firstly, you need to like them [haha]. 
You need to have good communication and boundaries in place!
Find out more about Black Arc Industries: blackarc.com.au/ or instagram.com/blackarc_industries/.
Find out more about IBA business support.
Check out the second installment of the new vodcast series that we're partnering on with Black Magic Woman! In this episode, host Mundanara Bayles yarns with educator and community leader Tanyah Nasir on beautiful Larrakia country.
Black Magic Woman explores issues of importance to First Nations people and communities. and we've partnered on a number of episodes with topics from housing, business, youth, women, investing, financial literacy, economic development and COVID-19 recovery.
Episode 106 features Tanyah Nasir, a Darwin woman with connections to the Garrawa, Djugun, and Tiwi language groups. Tanyah is an educator with over 25 years’ experience, and prides herself on understanding the approach and methodology required to achieve success as Indigenous people.
Her program - 'Rise Up' provides a unique opportunity for First Nations people to reflect on their distinctive lived reality and the issues they encounter on a daily basis. The Rise Up program also facilitates critical thinking and self-reflection to encourage and support personal change and social transformation to create the life they want.
Black Magic Woman is accessible on all major platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Angie had been thinking about starting her own writing and editing business for years. Then in early 2021, after a year of working from home in her salaried position and facing indefinite restrictions to meeting up with colleagues, she decided to take the leap.
IBA supported Angie Faye Martin, a Kooma/Kamilaroi woman, to get started with a business loan that allowed her to cover the costs of essential office equipment.
Angie acknowledged, “Start-up business expenses for a primarily online freelance business add up quickly. In addition to hardware, I had to purchase cloud storage, domains, insurance, legal advice and memberships to professional organisations and editing resources and style guides.”
Now, almost two years later, Versed Writings is a thriving business with a loyal client base and a multitude of business services. Her clients have included academics within Australia and overseas, a number of state and federal government departments, some large not-for-profits and numerous fictional authors.
Angie’s business is built on a passion for meaningful, tailored streamlined prose – whatever the purpose or whoever the audience.
“I believe meaning matters most. If you’re clear on what you want to communicate and the intention of your message before you sit down to write, the words will flow effortlessly,” said Angie.
Versed Writings offers content writing, copyediting and cultural sensitivity editing services.
“I started off mainly doing copyediting for academic journal articles and annual reports because that is my comfort zone and I expanded from there,” said Angie.
In a matter of months, Angie realised the high demand for content writing and cultural sensitivity editing from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective. She sought out the mentorship of Ngiyamppa academic Dr Mark Lock, who is an expert in the field of cultural safety editing, and IBA supported weekly mentoring sessions for three months so Angie could build her knowledge, skills and confidence in this area of growing demand.
Angie is signed with HarperCollins for her novel, Melaleuca, to be released in 2024, an outback noir crime thriller about an Aboriginal police woman called out west to investigate the murder and disappearances of Aboriginal women.
Business support comes in many different forms. IBA provides capability building, finance, and workshops for entrepreneurs and businesses wanting to develop their ideas. Find out more at iba.gov.au/business/starting-a-business.
