Anne Scott Chairman for the day introduced us to Kathy Havers.
 
Kathy is a financial planner through her own practice Catalyst.  Her address was far off conventional finance matters.  Instead we learnt how with friend and client Rhonda Renwick the two were key in forming the Kindred Spirit Foundation(“KSF”) in 2008.
 
Arising from the founders common selfless philanthropic drive,-- Kathy’s Catalyst has many pro bona pursuits “We have a philanthropic focus and are proactive and passionate in giving our time, professional knowledge and our support to those in need of our assistance”, and Rhonda’s many years involvement with disadvantaged aboriginals in Alice Springs---the two set KSF’s agenda.
 
KSF of course procures financial support for indigenous projects, but more importantly aims to mentor, guide and provide (through Kathy) business strategies to indigenous communities to establish self-sustaining and self-managed businesses.
 
In the Northern Territory KSF support Wadeye (pronounced Wad-air); a town in the Northern Territory that is home to Australia’s largest Aboriginal community.  There it gives ongoing help to the Palngun Wurnangat Association a women’s organisation.  We saw pictures and heard how PWA oversee a range of community-based projects designed to preserve and promote indigenous culture and tradition, while fostering self-sustaining organisations run by and for indigenous people.  Their success stories include mentoring, employment, an art workshop, takeaway, community hub, cafe, laundromat, and IT services.  The PWA also provides a much needed safe place for women and their babies.
 
The Kakudu Plumb is a fruit very high in Vitamin C (and other natural attributes) and there is a project based on it centred around Barunga NT.  It is managed and operated by the local people, they harvest the fruit, dry them, and encapsulate and market the resultant powder as a mineral supplement-via links with well known industry players.  Kathy’s business experience (as recognised in a Community Financial Planner’s award) is inputted.
 
There are educational programs aimed at the aboriginals too, namely scholarships for aboriginal youths at Bright Secondary School, and training on kidney health matters including a travelling dialysis bus.  These and others all seek to make a difference to communities by addressing those little things.
 
It was heartening to hear of KSF’s successful approach in dealing with aboriginal people, and the importance of listening as equals.  Ultimately we reflected on Kathy’s final remark “you haven’t truly lived until you have done something wonderful for someone who can never possibly repay you”.