Staff from the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) have strengthened their project planning capabilities after completing a two-day business acumen workshop.
The training brought together teams from across Country Operations and focused on practical learning using real GLaWAC projects.
Facilitated by ABV volunteer Dr Ken Long, the sessions encouraged open discussion and problem-solving, with content tailored to GLaWAC’s systems, culture, and organisational priorities.
Participants said the workshop helped them understand how projects are planned, priced, and delivered, and how their work connects to broader organisational goals. Many reported feeling more confident taking on new responsibilities and contributing to future projects. A follow-up survey showed all participants had increased confidence in their business skills and rated the content, materials, and facilitation highly.
Staff also valued learning in a supportive environment, working closely with colleagues from different parts of the organisation and having the freedom to ask questions. Feedback highlighted the importance of early planning, with participants committing to starting project discussions sooner, involving the right people early, and maintaining ongoing team communication to sustain learning.
Internal leadership from GLaWAC, including Matthew Paterson, Fiona Hammond, Maryanne Kelly, Willow Carter, and Julie Dennison, guided the training to ensure it reflected the organisation’s project management practices and day-to-day operations. ABV’s role focused on practical expertise while supporting GLaWAC’s leadership to shape the workshop.
By building business acumen and project planning skills, GLaWAC staff are now better equipped to deliver high-quality projects that reflect community priorities and support long-term organisational resilience.
