An interview by our CareerTrackers intern Zenae Powell.
Meet Eric Kalolo, Communications Associate.
Where are you from?
My heritage hales from the Pacific Island nation of Samoa, but I was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia when I was eight years of age. I am currently living in Brisbane, home to the Turrbal and Yuggera people. 
What is your role at IBA?
I am the newly appointed Communications Associate for Public and Government Relations as of November and it’s kind of like a dream come true. At the moment I’m currently in the process of taking over the IBA internal news, producing media releases, working on communications briefs and strategising for 2023.
Prior to this role I was part of the Loan Management Team in Housing. There I assisted customers with payment arrangements to rectify arrears, provided hardship to customers experiencing financial difficulty, managed a portfolio of customers from early-stage arrears through to back-end recoveries, assisted with workshop administration, operations and facilitation, and assisted with ad hoc management tasks.
I always wanted to work in communications and I’m extremely excited to be a part of the team as the new Communications Associate.
What was your journey before IBA?
Prior to IBA I was employed by Macquarie Bank and Bank of Queensland. During this time, I also started my fashion label. Under the business I was a freelance fashion stylist, tour promoter and creative director. The business has allowed me the opportunity to work with many talented creatives, TV personalities, musicians, and public figures but most importantly it allowed me the opportunity to express myself creatively and give me the skills to bring to my communications role. In 2019 a friend told me about an opening at IBA within the homes team. Knowing that (the role) was working with Indigenous people, I felt that I had a lot to offer, so I applied and was successful. The experience so far with IBA has been amazing, I’m excited to be in my current role.
Why is working at IBA, important to you?
Working at IBA has opened my eyes to the work that is needed in closing the gap. I want to be a part of the process, I want to help educate our customers on ways they can build generational wealth and financial stability. I believe it is important to share the successes of our customers, so it encourages other First Nations people to start thinking about generational wealth, financial stability and to build a brighter future for the younger generation.
What is one thing you can’t live without?
Sadly, I can’t live without Uber Eats. Although my doctor has advised me otherwise, who doesn’t like takeaway delivered to their door?!
We recently caught up with South Australian home loan customers, Dylan and Jen. They were delighted to share their positive experience with IBA and what being in their own home means to their family. They wanted a bigger home for their growing family and were weary of the insecurity of renting. Since getting in touch with IBA they haven’t looked back.
"It was a real achievement to buy a house," says Jen. "And we're not just a number to them (speaking about IBA). They shared in our excitement. I'm happy, we're happy. it's exactly what we wanted."
Zakpage, a First Nations creative agency, produced this lovely video where Dylan and Jen show their home and tell their story.
Check out the gorgeous artwork Dylan stands in front of towards the end of the video. Three paintings were gifted to his parents by Warlpiri artist Aileen Long, which in turn have now been gifted to him and his siblings. So, it was an extra-special moment for Dylan when he was able to hang it in his own family home.
If like Dylan and Jen, you'd like to buy your own home, first check out IBA's free workshops to find out about budgeting and understand what it takes to start the process.
When Elandra and Azra moved into their Rockhampton QLD home in April this year, they couldn’t be happier with their well-deserved purchase.
It was the first time the recently married couple had lived together. So reluctant were they to spend money on renting while they reached their savings goals, that Elandra continued to live with her parents and Azra boarded, until they bought their home.
Kabal Barada woman Elandra, who works as a Registered Nurse at an emergency medical centre says, “We got engaged and then we got to start looking for a place to live. We heard about IBA and registered an EOI.”
It was several months before they were added to the waiting list, but Elandra says that continued support from IBA throughout kept them going.
“IBA told me I had to get my savings up before I could go any further. So, then we had a goal in mind and IBA helped us with strategies to get there. IBA even checked in with us after a few months to see how we were going and trying their very best to help us reach the goals.”
They also used this time to go to open homes and see what they could buy with their budget.
The savvy couple chose a future-proofed home with lots of room to grow.
They acknowledge that IBA’s low deposit requirements helped them get the home they dreamed of. “Without IBA we would have had to wait much longer before we could buy what we wanted. With IBA we were able to buy somewhere to move right in,” says Elandra.
Elandra and Azra don’t do things by halves - and got married the same fortnight as their completion. They moved in after they got back from honeymoon and are excited with this start to begin the rest of their lives together.
“Every cent we spend is going to our mortgage. It’s really nice, knowing it’s going to our future, not paying someone else’s mortgage.
“Now we can build our lives together - and if we want to, we can build on the home.”
While the home didn’t require any immediate work, Teacher’s Aid Azra is a keen gardener and in their spare time they’re working on the outside area and making it an entertaining space.
“IBA was really helpful throughout and was really in our corner,” says Elandra. “If anyone else is thinking about buying a home through IBA I would say - go for it. We didn’t think we would get this beautiful home. If that’s your goal, you can achieve it.”
Episode #100 of Black Magic Woman Podcast is out now. On this episode, Mundanara Bayles yarns with our deadly customer Rodney Rankins and we talk about home ownership!
IBA partnered with the Black Magic Woman Podcast to bring you a series of episodes based on a variety of topics including housing, business, youth, women, investing, financial literacy, economic development and COVID-19 recovery.
We were lucky enough to recently meet Wiradujri man Adam, who shared his home ownership experience with us.
When he first approached IBA for a home loan, he wasn’t in the right financial position to be successful in his application. But instead, he was given advice on how to improve his financial situation and be in a better position to apply down the track.
After months of hard work, paying off debts and saving hard, he and his partner were able to come back to IBA. This time they were approved and bought their dream home.
Adam says, “When I unlock my door every afternoon coming home from work and I walk in and just look, and say ‘this is mine’. It’s overwhelming sometimes.”
After waiting till the time was right, he was in a much better position to start his home ownership journey. We also have workshops and information sessions to help you prepare for home ownership.
The talented filming and editing team at Indigistream helped us put together a video so Adam could share his story and show us his new home.
Watch Adam's story on YouTube or view below:
Vanessa Elliott is a Jaru woman from the Kimberley and desert region. Her bush name is Wunyadee and skin name Nanjilli / Nungaray with strong kinship and cultural connections in WA, NT, SA and QLD. 
She joined the IBA Board in May 2020.
We caught up with Vanessa for a quick yarn to get to know her better.
Why did you join the IBA board? What do you hope to achieve in your time?
I joined the IBA board because time showed me poverty is more than material deprivation; it’s also about structural and systemic exclusion.
So I choose a purpose driven life, to occupy spaces and usher in diversity and inclusion so all First Nations and other displaced peoples can access opportunities and build their own legacy
What do you hope to see happen with Indigenous affairs in the next 5-10 years? 50 years from now?
5-10 years - that our elders live longer and that First Nations’ languages, culture and histories are integrated into corporate Australia, public policy and is seen, heard and valued in our Australian community.
50 years - That our national narrative and policy shifts from colonial and deficit control. Where more First Nations are global citizens with strong cultural identity giving them a unique value proposition and strength to open doors in local and global market place.
Whats your favourite place in Australia and why?
Near a beautiful sunset and the water. When you got culture activated inside you, and great company around you, the creator shows you everyday in the most majestic ways that the best is yet to come.
Where do you feel most connected and why?
To my Jaja’s ( mother’s mother) story and legacy because we spent lots of time together and she taught me the power of now, the purpose of belonging, and the right to own my own destiny.
Which of IBA’s values stands out to you and why? [Respectful, Connected, Informed, Responsive and Invested]
Connected. Connection is the pre-requisite value to achieve the rest.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
It’s time for First Nations to arise and be all that you were predestined to be.
Biripi man Zane Pratt joined IBA as a trainee in 2019 before going full time in 2021 in the Investments & Asset Management team. Zane is also currently the Co-Chair of the Galambany Advisory Committee (IBA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff network) and works on Gadigal land in the Sydney office.
What was your journey? E.g., your studies or/and previous jobs.
I grew up on Dharawal country near Bundeena but eventually moved closer to live on campus in Ultimo while studying business at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). As part of the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and research at UTS, I came across an advert for IBA during my 2nd year of university. I ended up joining the IBA finance team as a trainee working a couple of days a week for 18 months or so. After working as a trainee, I decided I wanted to work at IBA full time and was offered a role in the Investments team.
Why is it important for you to work with mob?
Working with mob makes me feel connected and I always want to give back in any way I can. I have been fortunate growing up to have been given so many opportunities to learn and I really want to use that knowledge for positive change amongst community.
I still dedicate some of my time to tutoring at the Jumbunna Institute to share some of the things I’ve learned and encourage other First Nations people to get into this space. I want to be a role model and it’s so important to give back whenever you can.
What is your role within IBA? What is your favourite thing about your role?
I work as an Associate Analyst within the Direct Investments team, which invests back into community. We invest alongside Indigenous organisations in specific assets which generate financial and social returns.
I love working with numbers and knowing that I am doing meaningful things with them. I definitely have a logical brain which is why I’m so drawn to them.
I mentioned previously about wanting to be a role model and how important I think it is to be a role model to community. Indigenous employment in finance is quite low and I feel my job at IBA allows me to be a role model to community and show that there are opportunities for First Nations people in that field.
If you could hang out with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
It would be between my paternal grandmother since I never got the opportunity to speak with her or Bushrangers Captain Thunderbolt and Mary Ann Bugg, renowned for escaping Cockatoo Island and who I am a descendant of on my mother’s side of the family.
If I did get the chance, I would have a dinner party with all three of them. I believe that would be very interesting.
Where do you feel most connected?
I was born and raised as a Saltwater man and love being anywhere by the sea. I feel most connected to being out and about in the bush around my hometown of Maianbar.
IBA partnered with SBS Small Business Secrets again this year to feature four First Nations businesses doing what they do best. The segments were featured on SBS and NITV, and this was the third year we have supported the production of the series.
SBS produced a special NAIDOC segment that kicked off the week and wrapped it up with Standley Chasm and Amber Days included. Earlier in the year, we had segments on Cooee Cafe and Ngarga Warendj.
This year’s segments were also translated into Mandarin and Spanish as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) shared them worldwide through their social channels during NAIDOC week and screened in the DFAT lobby in Canberra.
Check out the full playlist on our YouTube channel or view and read the individual stories below:
Through an IBA partnership with SBS Small Business Secrets, Standley Chasm was featured as part of a NAIDOC Special. The chasm, known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning ‘Gap of Water’, brings the red/orange rock of Arrernte country to life.
SBS interviewed Arrernte woman Nova Pomare, who was born and raised nearby and now manages the site.
Thousands of visitors have booked in to experience the chasm this season and learn about the cultural background, but it wasn’t the case for the past couple years through lockdown.
Nova said, “And we are living proof here at Standley Chasm, that despite all the challenges we had, we still stood up and kept doing what we are doing and we're still here standing. And I hope we are good role models for the rest of our mob.”
Nova was approved for an IBA COVID Business Relief Package to get the business through the toughest parts of the last few years. IBA also provided a vehicle lease and funding for a communications tower, essential for running a tourist business in remote areas.
“It is an iconic tourist destination rich in traditional Aboriginal heritage and Nova is a fantastic mentor and trainer for young Indigenous workers, IBA’s Rachel Harding said.
Learn how Nova fought hard to keep this site for mob – something all can be proud of.
Read the SBS article, 'Promoting and protecting Australia's iconic Standley Chasm is a passion for Nova Pomare', or view the NAIDOC Special (link below).
When Melbourne-based designer Corina Muir couldn’t find the right sustainable clothing for her baby daughter, she decided to start her own clothing range, Amber Days – and her Indigenous designs are now in demand worldwide.
The Yorta Yorta and Boonwurrung woman talks about the importance of ethical clothing that is a collaborative effort with other Aboriginal women. She's also now started a pop-up store in Melbourne's North till early August (54 Errol Street).
Corina is all about community and wants her business to be a platform for change. She wants to see First Nation's fashion taken to the wider world. Amber Days was seen on the runway during Melbourne Fashion Week earlier this year.
"Corina had an idea and the passion for her business and she looked to IBA for support to build business acumen and financial literacy skills," said David Deo, IBA's Senior Business Development Officer.
Read the SBS article, 'Corina's sustainable clothing range shares Indigenous culture with the world', or view the video segment that featured as part of an SBS NAIDOC Special on 3 July 2022 (linked below).
