An Indigenous Finance Forum was held in Rockhampton this week to encourage Indigenous community members to consider microcredit as an alternative finance approach.

Organiser Kylie Radel said the event at CQUniversity's Community Sports Centre doubled as the launch for a research project aimed at developing an effective, community-supported model of microcredit*.

Guest speaker Suzanne Thompson talks about pioneering her way towards entrepreneurship

The research is being carried out by Ms Radel, who is a CQUniversity Marketing and Tourism lecturer, along with a Senior Lecturer with the University's School of Commerce and Law, Dr Rakesh Gupta, and another researcher Vicki Pascoe.

"Our expo titled Barjarra, Bunggoo and Budgets-Understanding Microcredit fell during Harmony Week and was also the National 'Closing the Gap' Day - which makes it quite an auspicious day," Ms Radel said.

CQUniversity Executive Dean Professor Kevin Tickle officially opened the event and guest speaker Suzanne Thompson spoke about her experience as director of three private companies involved in community development, arts and crafts and cultural programs.

"Suzanne believes that the only way she can make a true difference is to become very successful in business and hope to one day help other Indigenous people get into business as well," Ms Radel said.

Professor Kevin Tickle helps launch the forum 
Suzanne Thompson speaks to participants in the forum

* The 'micro-credit' system has been rolled out worldwide by Grameen Bank. Grameen Bank provides credit to the poorest of the poor to combat the vicious cycle of poverty which afflicts half the world's population. Our researchers are evaluating whether a 'micro-credit' funding system could support Indigenous communities to develop self-sustaining small businesses.