September marked the start of Spring and brought a mix of progress, connection, and forward planning. It was a month that reminded me of NGNY’s foundations while pushing us to sharpen our focus on what’s next.

From kicking off the Digital Health CRC project and hosting the final event of the latest Buledya Dinner in Sydney, to strengthening client relationships and advancing our R&D vision, the month had a strong sense of momentum. It wasn’t about one big milestone, but about pulling together the threads that set us up for the next stage.

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Digital Health CRC project kicks off

One of the major milestones was the start of the Digital Health CRC project. This is a significant partnership that brings together iYarn, DHCRC, UTS, and NGNY. For us it’s a chance to contribute to something that has real depth and long-term impact. Working with partners who are aligned in values and vision always makes a difference, and already there’s a strong sense of collaboration and momentum.

Over the years, I’ve learned that these kinds of partnerships are where growth and innovation come from. No one organisation can do everything on its own. By bringing together different strengths and perspectives, we can build solutions that actually serve communities and stand the test of time.

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Buledya Dinner Series — reconnecting through conversation

Another highlight was the latest Buledya Dinner Series, held here in Sydney at Boppin Tone. We had about 14 people around the table, which turned out to be just the right size for meaningful conversation.

What struck me most was the mix of people in the room. Some were familiar faces who’ve been part of NGNY’s journey since the very beginning. They’ve seen us grow, stumble, and rebuild over the years, sometimes up close and sometimes from a distance. Having them there felt grounding, like a reminder of where we started and how far we’ve come.

There were also a few people who’ve followed our work quietly over the years and decided to step back into the fold. That was just as special, because it showed that the story of NGNY continues to resonate beyond the day-to-day.

The conversation that night was wide-ranging but centred on something I’ve been thinking about a lot — the intersection of technology, culture, and First Nations engagement. We dug into what AI might mean for our communities, both in terms of opportunity and risk. The future of work and education was a solid talking point with people from the University sector in the room and amidst the news of restructure and change at UTS.

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Learning spaces and staying curious

I also had the chance to attend the Aaron Sansoni – Empire Mastery Event. It was pitched as part startup showcase, part self-development, part business workshop — the kind of thing I’ve dipped in and out of over the years.

Events like these are always a mixed bag. There’s no shortage of people making big promises, selling dreams, or positioning themselves as experts. But if you can look past the noise, there are always a few insights worth keeping. This was definitely an event for people starting their business journey but it’s always good to hear how other people are framing their challenges and opportunities.

In the end, I only went along for two of the four days, but it was enough to spark some fresh thinking. I was reminded of the importance of staying open to new ideas, while keeping grounded in the reality of where NGNY is and what our clients actually need.I have to thank Charity Handley of Match with Nature for the invite. I had the fortune of meeting Charity at a Rabbitohs Business Chamber event earlier this year and we hit it off. Charity has built an innovative Laundry Product for the Laundromat industry and is making the huge step of introducing the products to the US market. Her journey and drive is impressive. I recommend taking the time to check out Match with Nature and connecting with Charity’s journey via LinkedIn.

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Strengthening client relationships

On a more practical front, we rolled out an initiative to move a number of our hosting clients from monthly to annual billing. It was a simple offer, but it had a strong uptake and ended up being a win for both sides.

What I took from this was the importance of regularly engaging with our clients beyond the delivery of projects or services. Sometimes it’s the small, thoughtful changes that create value and deepen relationships. This wasn’t just about smoothing cash flow — it was about showing our clients that we’re thinking about their experience too.

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Thought leadership and looking ahead

Looking forward, October is shaping up to be a big month. As part of Indigenous Business Month, I’ll be attempting to release a 20-article series that looks back on 11 years of NGNY and my broader 20-year journey of building and growing businesses. This feels like an opportunity to share lessons, celebrate milestones, and hopefully spark conversations that support other First Nations entrepreneurs.

I’m also preparing for a panel at SXSW Sydney, which is another chance to share our story and perspective with a wider audience. Thank you to Lockie Cooke and iYarn for the chance to contribute to broader conversations about technology, culture, and community.

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Building for the long term — R&D as our foundation

Finally, a big part of my focus in September has been our application for the R&D grant. For me, this isn’t just about securing funding. It’s about setting the foundation for NGNY’s long-term vision.

For years, we’ve been working in ways that could be described as research and development — identifying gaps, testing solutions, and building new models. The grant process has given us the chance to step back and recognise that this isn’t a side activity; it’s central to who we are and how we’ll keep creating value.

When I connect that realisation with the kinds of conversations we’ve been having at the Buledya Dinner Series, it becomes even clearer. The future of NGNY will be shaped by how we embed R&D into everything we do.

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Closing thoughts

Another month down for the year and the very slippery slope of the last quarter of 2025 is upon us. October will be full of activity — Indigenous Business Month, SXSW, and continuing project delivery.