BilaEmpower

18/05/2026

There’s something deeply special about gathering in spaces that hold story, connection and community.

Today, BilaEmpower is honoured to support the SA Housing Trust Aboriginal Staff Forum alongside our valued collaborators at Warida Wholistic Wellness and Legacy Counselling and Consultancy, held at the beautiful Yitpi Yartapuultiku.

Together, we hope the next two days create space for conversation, reflection, shared experiences and culturally grounded wellbeing. Not through ticking boxes or corporate language, but through genuine connection, deep listening and the strength that comes when people feel safe to yarn openly.

At BilaEmpower, we know workplace wellbeing cannot be separated from culture, identity, relationships and community. This is why our work continues to centre culturally integrated approaches that honour people as whole human beings.

A heartfelt thank you to the SA Housing Trust Aboriginal Staff Forum for trusting us to walk alongside you in this space as part of your EAP service, and to everyone who contributes their presence, honesty and care throughout the next two days.

These conversations matter. So do the spaces that hold them.

18/05/2026

Exciting for BilaEmpower being mentioned in the Indigenous Business Review.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HzEqrCoyf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Finalists have been announced for one of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business sector's biggest nights at Supply Nation's Supplier Diversity Awards.Over 200 businesses are registered to e...

18/05/2026

BilaEmpower is so proud to be named a finalist for Supply Nation’s Registered Supplier of the Year 2026.

This recognition means a lot to us because it reflects the work we are growing with care, purpose and cultural integrity. Through our First Nations-led EAP services, culturally grounded workplace wellbeing, training, economic empowerment and support for First Nations clinicians and businesses, BilaEmpower is building something that is about more than service delivery. It is about pathways, connection, opportunity and impact.

We also want to send a huge congratulations to BilaEmpower Board Director Jenni Walke and her business, Elephant in the Room, for being named a finalist for Certified Supplier of the Year. What a powerful acknowledgement of Jenni’s leadership, business excellence and ongoing contribution to the Indigenous business sector.

A gentle note for anyone who may not know: because BilaEmpower is an ACNC registered charity, we are only able to hold Supply Nation Registered status. This does not change who we are. BilaEmpower is proudly First Nations-led, purpose-driven and majority Indigenous-led, with a deep commitment to strengthening wellbeing, equity, opportunity and cultural connection.

Congratulations to all finalists. What a strong and beautiful moment for Indigenous business, leadership and collective impact.

18/05/2026

BilaEmpower is deeply honoured to be named one of three finalists for Supply Nation Registered Supplier of the Year 2026.

For us, this recognition speaks to the work we are building with care: culturally grounded workplace wellbeing, First Nations-led EAP services, economic empowerment, and creating real pathways for First Nations clinicians, businesses and communities.

We also want to warmly congratulate BilaEmpower Board Director Jenni Walke and her business, Elephant in the Room, on being named a finalist for Certified Supplier of the Year. What a powerful acknowledgement of her leadership, business excellence and ongoing contribution to the Indigenous business sector.

For those who may not be aware, BilaEmpower’s ACNC charity registration means we can only hold Supply Nation Registered status. That does not mean BilaEmpower is not majority Indigenous-led. We are proudly First Nations-led, purpose-driven and committed to strengthening wellbeing, equity, opportunity and cultural connection through everything we do.

Congratulations to all finalists. What a beautiful moment for Indigenous business, leadership and impact.



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We are incredibly excited to announce the finalists for the Supply Nation Supplier Diversity Awards 2026!

This year’s finalists represent the very best in supplier diversity excellence – organisations, government agencies, and individuals who are not just participating in change, but actively driving it across the Indigenous business sector.

⭐ View the full list of finalists: connect.supplynation.org.au/supplier-diversity-awards-2026/

Winners will be announced at the Connect 2026 Gala Awards Dinner on 12 August at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Boorloo (Perth).

A big congratulations to all finalists and thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination this year.

14/05/2026

We are proud to share that BilaEmpowerBilaEmpower has partnered with Centacare Catholic Community Services to deliver Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services to their staff. Centacare has been providing client-centred community services to South Australians since 1942, supporting people across a broad range of community and social service areas, including mental health and wellbeing. Their work reaches people of all ages, religions, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, gender identities and life experiences, with a strong focus on supporting people who have been marginalised or are experiencing hardship and challenge. (visit centacare.org.au to learn more)

Through this partnership, BilaEmpower will provide culturally integrated, First Nations-led EAP support that is grounded in clinical care, cultural integrity, confidentiality and deep listening. BilaEmpower was established to support First Nations individuals, families and communities through culturally integrated services, social and emotional wellbeing, a First Nations-led Employee Assistance Program, education, training, employment pathways, leadership opportunities and research into barriers to employment.

At the heart of our EAP is choice, safety and connection. Staff can choose the clinician who feels right for them, and our services are delivered by skilled First Nations Allied Health Professionals, including counsellors, social workers and psychologists. This matters because people should not have to educate their therapist about culture, identity, community or the impacts of systemic harm before they can begin receiving support. We are honoured to walk alongside Centacare in supporting the wellbeing of their workforce and strengthening access to culturally safe, grounded and meaningful support.

For us, this partnership is about more than service delivery. It is about care, trust, relationship and creating workplaces where people can feel supported as whole people.

14/05/2026

We are happy to announce that Mackay Hospital and Health Service has partnered with BilaEmpower to provide Employee Assistance Program services to their First Nations staff.

To learn more about their service, visit:

We’re making our hospital bigger and better to make it easier for our growing community to get the health care they need.

01/05/2026

A beautiful call for healing. I would also add for the majority of people employed, First Nations and the wider community, access your workplace Employee Assistance Program service like BilaEmpower. We have clinicians available for your sessions.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18e6PKjh6c/?mibextid=wwXIfr

30/04/2026

A family and community experiencing the unimaginable. Deepest condolences to the family on the loss of their little girl in such tragic circumstances.

For anyone needing further yarns after hearing of the tragic news alert please contact the following:

* 13YARN is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who need to talk with someone.

* Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) service.

Please take care of yourselves, each other, and our communities during this very difficult time.

💔

27/04/2026

A beautiful new collaboration to share.

We’re delighted to welcome Dr Karen Demmery from Burbirra Group as BilaEmpower’s newest collaborator, delivering Mental Health First Aid Training.

Burbirra is a Supply Nation certified organisation creating powerful spaces for communities, women and organisations to rise, lead and strengthen wellbeing through leadership, healing, cultural empowerment and business development. Their work spans mental health and trauma awareness, cultural awareness, resilience, workforce wellbeing and Mental Health First Aid.

Dr Karen Demmery is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Dubbo, NSW, with more than two decades of experience across training, facilitation, coaching and counselling. Her work brings together trauma recovery, women’s empowerment, mental health, and the bridging of Indigenous health practices with therapeutic approaches.

This collaboration feels strongly aligned with BilaEmpower’s commitment to culturally integrated services, social and emotional wellbeing, and strengthening First Nations-led pathways for healing, leadership and community impact.

Welcome Karen. We’re so grateful to be walking alongside you in this work.

https://www.burbirra.com.au/

27/04/2026

Hugest welcome to our newest BilaEmpower collaborator, Cath McLaren from Magpie Consultancy Australia.

Cath is a Kamilaroi social worker and Aboriginal mental health practitioner with more than 20 years of experience walking alongside people, families and communities across Australia.

What we love about Cath’s approach is the way she brings deep experience without making the work feel clinical or disconnected. She listens first. She builds trust. She brings straight talk, warmth, cultural integrity and a steady commitment to making sure people feel seen, heard and respected.

Cath has worked across child and youth mental health, community teams, forensic services, trauma-informed practice, university teaching and some deeply sensitive areas of care. She knows the system, and she also knows why our mob need support that feels human, culturally safe and genuinely respectful.

Through Magpie Consultancy Australia, Cath provides counselling, coaching and cultural support for individuals and organisations.

We’re so grateful to welcome Cath into the BilaEmpower collaborative.

Strong people. Strong relationships. Stronger support for our communities.