CQU changemakers share stage to build Wide Bay - Burnett social enterprise

Social enterprise is tackling local issues through business for good – and CQUniversity is helping make it happen in the Wide Bay–Burnett region.

CQU changemakers have led a series of events at Hervey Bay and Fraser Coast community hubs to showcase social enterprise ideas and opportunities.

Hosted by the Queensland Social Enterprise Council, two events (across 16-17 March, 2023) featured panels of experts including CQU Social Innovation Program Manager Steve Williams and alumnus and social entrepreneur Leslie Yulang Lowe.

Mr Williams, who also founded wellness enterprise Mind Flow Grow, said the events were “fantastic”.

“It was an absolute honour to sit alongside QSEC president Yas Grigaliunas, my colleague Leslie Yulang Lowe and Nathan Spruce from IMPACT Community Services in Bundaberg and listen with admiration to their deep drive and wisdom,” Mr Williams said.

The events were presented by Elisha Taderera, a Bundaberg-based entrepreneur who last year graduated from CQU’s iActivate regional social enterprise accelerator.

Mr Taderera's business, Home of Champions, is an organisation developed to support creators, entrepreneurs and makers in regional and rural areas, through mentoring, resources and other supportive tools.

Mr Taderera was one of 13 iActivate graduates in Bundaberg, who spent 13 weeks designing and growing their for-purpose business ideas.

It was the first time the popular program had been delivered in Bundaberg with face-to-face and online support, thanks to the Queensland Government’s $8 million Social Enterprise Jobs Fund.

The course supported entrepreneurs to develop big-impact plans, tackling issues from housing to waste plastic, animal welfare and community service.

To learn more about iActivate, visit cqu.edu.au/iactivate.