
Fellowships for good: call out for social entrepreneurs
Jason-Urranndulla Davis always felt he was "living in two worlds" as he was growing up.
The Kalkatungu and Waanyi man, from Mt Isa, was immersed in culture and heritage in his community, but experienced a different world while at school.
When his daughter was born, Mr Davis decided he wanted to change the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were asked to identify themselves.
"I saw her and I realised I needed to change everything, change things for her, to make sure that she had an opportunity to be herself and to be supported in the world that she is going to be growing up in," the told AAP.
Mr Davis founded the technology platform Wuna, hoping to empower communities by putting identification back into the hands of First Nations people.
"Wuna is an all-in-one toolbox that can help First Nations people to be identified when transacting their identity for a particular service, like a bank," he said.
"Particularly when banks in regional and remote communities have closed their physical branches, so now they're relying on digital technology."
But it's more than a platform to store digital identification.
Mr Davis says it can bring together the cultural and western worlds for Indigenous people.
"We also provide capability credentials," he said.
"Your skills are an asset and being able to define them in our platform allows people to have a skills-to-work passport, so Indigenous people can walk into training and opportunities without having to go through the problem of box-ticking."
Mr Davis is one of 17 entrepreneurs supported by fellowships with the Snow Foundation.
The foundation's support was unwavering, he said.
"It's been a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who's willing to do the work, who has a passion for what they're doing," Mr Davis said.
The foundation is recruiting the third cohort of entrepreneurs for the fellowship program, which offers funding and support to help build and scale social impact organisations.
The foundation is seeking projects aligning with its priorities of gender, First Nations, youth and LGBQTI issues.
Snow Foundation chief executive Georgina Byron said the fellowships honoured the entrepreneurial spirit of late founder Terry Snow and the commitment to community-led solutions.
"Social entrepreneurs have bold ambitions to drive change, but they often face significant challenges - from limited resources and small teams to a lack of peer support and connections," she said.
"That's where our Snow Entrepreneurs program comes in. We channel that passion and help them transform and accelerate their ideas into sustainable impact through funding and holistic support."
Applications for fellowships close on June 16.
Jason-Urranndulla Davis always felt he was "living in two worlds" as he was growing up.
The Kalkatungu and Waanyi man, from Mt Isa, was immersed in culture and heritage in his community, but experienced a different world while at school.
When his daughter was born, Mr Davis decided he wanted to change the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were asked to identify themselves.
"I saw her and I realised I needed to change everything, change things for her, to make sure that she had an opportunity to be herself and to be supported in the world that she is going to be growing up in," the told AAP.
Mr Davis founded the technology platform Wuna, hoping to empower communities by putting identification back into the hands of First Nations people.
"Wuna is an all-in-one toolbox that can help First Nations people to be identified when transacting their identity for a particular service, like a bank," he said.
"Particularly when banks in regional and remote communities have closed their physical branches, so now they're relying on digital technology."
But it's more than a platform to store digital identification.
Mr Davis says it can bring together the cultural and western worlds for Indigenous people.
"We also provide capability credentials," he said.
"Your skills are an asset and being able to define them in our platform allows people to have a skills-to-work passport, so Indigenous people can walk into training and opportunities without having to go through the problem of box-ticking."
Mr Davis is one of 17 entrepreneurs supported by fellowships with the Snow Foundation.
The foundation's support was unwavering, he said.
"It's been a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who's willing to do the work, who has a passion for what they're doing," Mr Davis said.
The foundation is recruiting the third cohort of entrepreneurs for the fellowship program, which offers funding and support to help build and scale social impact organisations.
The foundation is seeking projects aligning with its priorities of gender, First Nations, youth and LGBQTI issues.
Snow Foundation chief executive Georgina Byron said the fellowships honoured the entrepreneurial spirit of late founder Terry Snow and the commitment to community-led solutions.
"Social entrepreneurs have bold ambitions to drive change, but they often face significant challenges - from limited resources and small teams to a lack of peer support and connections," she said.
"That's where our Snow Entrepreneurs program comes in. We channel that passion and help them transform and accelerate their ideas into sustainable impact through funding and holistic support."
Applications for fellowships close on June 16.
Jason-Urranndulla Davis always felt he was "living in two worlds" as he was growing up.
The Kalkatungu and Waanyi man, from Mt Isa, was immersed in culture and heritage in his community, but experienced a different world while at school.
When his daughter was born, Mr Davis decided he wanted to change the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were asked to identify themselves.
"I saw her and I realised I needed to change everything, change things for her, to make sure that she had an opportunity to be herself and to be supported in the world that she is going to be growing up in," the told AAP.
Mr Davis founded the technology platform Wuna, hoping to empower communities by putting identification back into the hands of First Nations people.
"Wuna is an all-in-one toolbox that can help First Nations people to be identified when transacting their identity for a particular service, like a bank," he said.
"Particularly when banks in regional and remote communities have closed their physical branches, so now they're relying on digital technology."
But it's more than a platform to store digital identification.
Mr Davis says it can bring together the cultural and western worlds for Indigenous people.
"We also provide capability credentials," he said.
"Your skills are an asset and being able to define them in our platform allows people to have a skills-to-work passport, so Indigenous people can walk into training and opportunities without having to go through the problem of box-ticking."
Mr Davis is one of 17 entrepreneurs supported by fellowships with the Snow Foundation.
The foundation's support was unwavering, he said.
"It's been a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who's willing to do the work, who has a passion for what they're doing," Mr Davis said.
The foundation is recruiting the third cohort of entrepreneurs for the fellowship program, which offers funding and support to help build and scale social impact organisations.
The foundation is seeking projects aligning with its priorities of gender, First Nations, youth and LGBQTI issues.
Snow Foundation chief executive Georgina Byron said the fellowships honoured the entrepreneurial spirit of late founder Terry Snow and the commitment to community-led solutions.
"Social entrepreneurs have bold ambitions to drive change, but they often face significant challenges - from limited resources and small teams to a lack of peer support and connections," she said.
"That's where our Snow Entrepreneurs program comes in. We channel that passion and help them transform and accelerate their ideas into sustainable impact through funding and holistic support."
Applications for fellowships close on June 16.
Jason-Urranndulla Davis always felt he was "living in two worlds" as he was growing up.
The Kalkatungu and Waanyi man, from Mt Isa, was immersed in culture and heritage in his community, but experienced a different world while at school.
When his daughter was born, Mr Davis decided he wanted to change the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were asked to identify themselves.
"I saw her and I realised I needed to change everything, change things for her, to make sure that she had an opportunity to be herself and to be supported in the world that she is going to be growing up in," the told AAP.
Mr Davis founded the technology platform Wuna, hoping to empower communities by putting identification back into the hands of First Nations people.
"Wuna is an all-in-one toolbox that can help First Nations people to be identified when transacting their identity for a particular service, like a bank," he said.
"Particularly when banks in regional and remote communities have closed their physical branches, so now they're relying on digital technology."
But it's more than a platform to store digital identification.
Mr Davis says it can bring together the cultural and western worlds for Indigenous people.
"We also provide capability credentials," he said.
"Your skills are an asset and being able to define them in our platform allows people to have a skills-to-work passport, so Indigenous people can walk into training and opportunities without having to go through the problem of box-ticking."
Mr Davis is one of 17 entrepreneurs supported by fellowships with the Snow Foundation.
The foundation's support was unwavering, he said.
"It's been a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who's willing to do the work, who has a passion for what they're doing," Mr Davis said.
The foundation is recruiting the third cohort of entrepreneurs for the fellowship program, which offers funding and support to help build and scale social impact organisations.
The foundation is seeking projects aligning with its priorities of gender, First Nations, youth and LGBQTI issues.
Snow Foundation chief executive Georgina Byron said the fellowships honoured the entrepreneurial spirit of late founder Terry Snow and the commitment to community-led solutions.
"Social entrepreneurs have bold ambitions to drive change, but they often face significant challenges - from limited resources and small teams to a lack of peer support and connections," she said.
"That's where our Snow Entrepreneurs program comes in. We channel that passion and help them transform and accelerate their ideas into sustainable impact through funding and holistic support."
Applications for fellowships close on June 16.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


SBS Australia
6 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Optus faces $100 millon fine over unlawful sales to vulnerable First Nations customers
Optus has agreed to a $100 million penalty, subject to court approval, over conduct that saw many First Nations people from remote communities sold services they did not want or need. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said many of the affected consumers were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage, such as living with a mental disability, or English not being a first language. Many of the consumers were First Nations Australians from regional, remote and very remote parts of Australia. The consumer watchdog sued the telco in October last year over the practices, which affected hundreds of vulnerable customers. In one instance outlined by the ACCC, a First Nations consumer who speaks English as a second language and lives in a remote community with no Optus coverage, was sold a phone. "The customer was approached by Optus staff outside an Optus store and pressured to enter," ACCC said in a statement. "They thought staff were offering them a free phone and other free products and felt pressured by staff to accept," the statement read. Optus has admitted that its sales staff acted unconscionably when selling products and services to more than 400 consumers at 16 different stores across Australia between August 2019 and July 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable. 'I would like to sincerely apologise to all customers affected by the misconduct in some of our stores,' Mr Rue said in a statement. 'Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported. "I am leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company with active responses to the issues raised well underway," Mr Rue said. Optus has also signed an undertaking, accepted by the ACCC, that it will compensate impacted consumers and improve its internal systems, the commencement of which is subject to the Court making relevant orders. 'The conduct, which included selling inappropriate, unwanted or unaffordable mobiles and phone plans to people who are vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage is simply unacceptable,' ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said. 'During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers.' 'Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years,' Ms Lowe said.


7NEWS
8 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Optus says ‘yes' to $100m fine over dodgy sales tactics
Optus is on the hook for a $100 million fine after it pressured Aboriginal customers in remote regions into buying phone products they did not need or want. The nation's second-biggest mobile operator has admitted to engaging in 'unconscionable conduct' after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched court action. 'In many instances, the consumers did not want or need, could not use or could not afford what they were sold, and in some cases consumers were pursued for debts resulting from these sales,' the ACCC said on Wednesday. It said many vulnerable customers were among the 400-plus victims across 16 stores between August 2019 and July 2023 pressured into buying phones. The consumer watchdog specifically pointed the finger at Optus for deceiving Indigenous Australians in regional, remote and very remote areas. Other customers who purchased unwanted products included people with diminished cognitive capacity, unemployed, having limited financial literacy or English not being a first language. The watchdog and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose a total penalty of $100 million for breaching consumer law, but it is up to the court to decide the final fine. The national peak communications consumer body said the fine would represent one of the largest consumer law penalties in Australian history. 'Unconscionable conduct is a high bar and one that Optus has spectacularly surpassed in its behaviour preying on some of our most vulnerable communities and consumers, including Indigenous communities,' Australian Communications Consumer Action Network chief executive Carol Bennett said. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the company's misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable. 'I would like to sincerely apologise to all customers affected by the misconduct in some of our stores,' Rue said. 'Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported.' Examples of the misconduct also included sales staff failing to point out whether Optus even had coverage in remote areas where customers lived, failing to explain the financial obligations involved in contracts and misleading users into believing certain goods were free. 'The conduct, which included selling inappropriate, unwanted or unaffordable mobiles and phone plans to people who are vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage, is simply unacceptable,' commission deputy chair Catriona Lowe said. 'Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm.' Lowe said the commission was particularly concerned Optus used debt collectors to pursue some customers after it had launched internal investigations into the sales conduct. She noted the telco's actions caused 'significant emotional distress and fear'. Financial counsellors said the case was further proof the telco sector needed stronger, enforceable regulation. 'Fines are important, but what we really need is structural reform and genuine cultural safety built into how businesses engage with First Nations communities,' Financial Counselling Australia's First Nations policy director Lynda Edwards said.


The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Optus faces $100 million fine over unlawful sales to vulnerable people
Optus will ask a court for a $100 million penalty after admitting to breaching Australian Consumer Law over sales to vulnerable people. More than 400 Optus customers were sold products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford and many were pursued by debt collectors and accrued massive debts. Many of the sales were to vulnerable people, including First Nations, people living with disability and people with limited financial and English literacy. The ACCC and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose the penalty after reaching an agreement, announced on June 18. Optus admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct after the consumer watchdog launched court action in October 2024. The announcement said Optus admitted that its sales staff "acted unconscionably" when selling phones and contracts between 2019 and 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable and apologised to affected customers. "Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported," Mr Rue said. He said he was leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company. "There is much more to do as we work to regain our customers' trust and improve support and protections for them, especially for those who are vulnerable." READ MORE: Optus regrets 'unacceptable' conduct alleged by ACCC Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate the affected consumers and improve its internal systems. The timing of this will be subject to court orders. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the telco's behaviour was "simply unacceptable". "During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers." "Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years," Ms Lowe said. Ms Lowe thanked advocates, financial counsellors and carers who helped the affected customers. Communication consumer organisation Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) said it welcomed the news that Optus could pay one of the largest consumer law penalties. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said Optus had "spectacularly surpassed" the high bar of unconscionable conduct in its actions. "Phone and internet products are not a luxury - they are fundamental and essential services. To manipulate, abuse and exert control over people reliant on the product or service being sold represents a cruel and uncaring approach," Ms Bennett said. "It beggars' belief that Optus or any telco could feel this behaviour is acceptable." "We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour." Optus will ask a court for a $100 million penalty after admitting to breaching Australian Consumer Law over sales to vulnerable people. More than 400 Optus customers were sold products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford and many were pursued by debt collectors and accrued massive debts. Many of the sales were to vulnerable people, including First Nations, people living with disability and people with limited financial and English literacy. The ACCC and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose the penalty after reaching an agreement, announced on June 18. Optus admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct after the consumer watchdog launched court action in October 2024. The announcement said Optus admitted that its sales staff "acted unconscionably" when selling phones and contracts between 2019 and 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable and apologised to affected customers. "Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported," Mr Rue said. He said he was leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company. "There is much more to do as we work to regain our customers' trust and improve support and protections for them, especially for those who are vulnerable." READ MORE: Optus regrets 'unacceptable' conduct alleged by ACCC Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate the affected consumers and improve its internal systems. The timing of this will be subject to court orders. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the telco's behaviour was "simply unacceptable". "During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers." "Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years," Ms Lowe said. Ms Lowe thanked advocates, financial counsellors and carers who helped the affected customers. Communication consumer organisation Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) said it welcomed the news that Optus could pay one of the largest consumer law penalties. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said Optus had "spectacularly surpassed" the high bar of unconscionable conduct in its actions. "Phone and internet products are not a luxury - they are fundamental and essential services. To manipulate, abuse and exert control over people reliant on the product or service being sold represents a cruel and uncaring approach," Ms Bennett said. "It beggars' belief that Optus or any telco could feel this behaviour is acceptable." "We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour." Optus will ask a court for a $100 million penalty after admitting to breaching Australian Consumer Law over sales to vulnerable people. More than 400 Optus customers were sold products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford and many were pursued by debt collectors and accrued massive debts. Many of the sales were to vulnerable people, including First Nations, people living with disability and people with limited financial and English literacy. The ACCC and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose the penalty after reaching an agreement, announced on June 18. Optus admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct after the consumer watchdog launched court action in October 2024. The announcement said Optus admitted that its sales staff "acted unconscionably" when selling phones and contracts between 2019 and 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable and apologised to affected customers. "Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported," Mr Rue said. He said he was leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company. "There is much more to do as we work to regain our customers' trust and improve support and protections for them, especially for those who are vulnerable." READ MORE: Optus regrets 'unacceptable' conduct alleged by ACCC Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate the affected consumers and improve its internal systems. The timing of this will be subject to court orders. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the telco's behaviour was "simply unacceptable". "During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers." "Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years," Ms Lowe said. Ms Lowe thanked advocates, financial counsellors and carers who helped the affected customers. Communication consumer organisation Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) said it welcomed the news that Optus could pay one of the largest consumer law penalties. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said Optus had "spectacularly surpassed" the high bar of unconscionable conduct in its actions. "Phone and internet products are not a luxury - they are fundamental and essential services. To manipulate, abuse and exert control over people reliant on the product or service being sold represents a cruel and uncaring approach," Ms Bennett said. "It beggars' belief that Optus or any telco could feel this behaviour is acceptable." "We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour." Optus will ask a court for a $100 million penalty after admitting to breaching Australian Consumer Law over sales to vulnerable people. More than 400 Optus customers were sold products they did not want or need, could not use or could not afford and many were pursued by debt collectors and accrued massive debts. Many of the sales were to vulnerable people, including First Nations, people living with disability and people with limited financial and English literacy. The ACCC and Optus will jointly ask the Federal Court to impose the penalty after reaching an agreement, announced on June 18. Optus admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct after the consumer watchdog launched court action in October 2024. The announcement said Optus admitted that its sales staff "acted unconscionably" when selling phones and contracts between 2019 and 2023. Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the misconduct was inexcusable and unacceptable and apologised to affected customers. "Optus failed these customers, and the company should have acted more quickly when the misconduct was first reported," Mr Rue said. He said he was leading the implementation of extensive changes across the company. "There is much more to do as we work to regain our customers' trust and improve support and protections for them, especially for those who are vulnerable." READ MORE: Optus regrets 'unacceptable' conduct alleged by ACCC Optus has signed an undertaking to compensate the affected consumers and improve its internal systems. The timing of this will be subject to court orders. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said the telco's behaviour was "simply unacceptable". "During our investigation into this case, the ACCC heard many stories of the impact of this conduct on affected consumers." "Many of these consumers who were vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage also experienced significant financial harm. They accrued thousands of dollars of unexpected debt and some were pursued by debt collectors, in some instances for years," Ms Lowe said. Ms Lowe thanked advocates, financial counsellors and carers who helped the affected customers. Communication consumer organisation Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) said it welcomed the news that Optus could pay one of the largest consumer law penalties. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said Optus had "spectacularly surpassed" the high bar of unconscionable conduct in its actions. "Phone and internet products are not a luxury - they are fundamental and essential services. To manipulate, abuse and exert control over people reliant on the product or service being sold represents a cruel and uncaring approach," Ms Bennett said. "It beggars' belief that Optus or any telco could feel this behaviour is acceptable." "We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour."