Kim Collard named ‘Elder of the Year’ in NAIDOC Awards.

 

Kim Collard, managing director of Perth-based Indigenous office products supplier Kulbardi (pictured), has capped a memorable year-to-date by being named ‘Elder of the Year’ in the 2024 NAIDOC Awards.

 

As previously reported in Office Products News, Collard was recently presented with the First Nations Philanthropy Award, awarded by Philanthropy Australia in partnership with Ninti One Ltd.

 

The awards coincided with Kulbardi’s move to dealer group ASA Australia, which took effect from 1 July.

 

Below is a transcript of the NAIDOC ‘Elder of the Year’ announcement:

 

Kim Collard – Balladong/Wadjuk Elder of the Noongar Nation –  has had a significant impact on indigenous communities and wider Western Australian society alike. Throughout the years, Kim has devoted himself to his professional and philanthropic endeavours, touching the lives of many in the process. 

 

After working as a boilermaker, then as a Western Australia police officer, Kim joined academia and spent 10 years at Curtin University. Kim went on to establish two of Australia's largest Indigenous-owned businesses, Kulbardi and Kooya Australia Fleet Services, which have flourished commercially for the past decade. Through his businesses, Kulbardi and Kooya, Kim has created job opportunities for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. 

 

In addition to these impressive academic and entrepreneurial feats, Kim has always been committed to giving back to the community. In 2014 Kim founded The Bibbulmun Fund, a unique Indigenous-led philanthropic initiative designed to facilitate positive change by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people.

 

The Bibbulmun Fund has raised over $1.4 million, supporting 19 charitable organisations across Australia, focusing on Aboriginal education, leadership, entrepreneurship, work readiness programs, youth diversionary programs, elder's camps, disaster relief, and programs encouraging Aboriginal self-determination. 

 

Kim Collard is an inspiration to his community, whose work is instrumental in providing opportunities for First Nations peoples to uplift themselves and their communities.