Chutzpah Goldfields
Chutzpah Goldfields was established in April 2006 to work exclusively with indigenous youth to facilitate entrepreneurial skilling and build their learning and earning capacity.
Whilst Chutzpah Goldfields was Chutzpah Inc.'s second site, the region is really the birthplace of the entrepreneurial methodology and accredited course development. Earnshaw commenced her youth entrepreneurship training work in Kalgoorlie in April 2003 by way of introduction by the late Bill Mason, Chutzpah Goldfields Champion.
Chutzpah Goldfields was piloted in alliance with Goldfields Centrecare and Eastern Goldfields Senior College.
VALE Chutzpah Champion: Bill Mason
Bill Mason receiving the honorary and inaugural award of a Chutzpah All Star
The local "Chutzpah Champion" and co-founder of the Chutzpah Goldfields was Kalgoorlie Boulder local Councillor, Bill Mason.
Bill became the All Stars first member in September 2006.
Bill died suddenly in November 2006. This was a devastating loss for so many. For us, Bill was the heart and soul of Chutzpah Goldfields.
Bill Mason with the Golden Pearl Modelling Agency Founders
Bill first heard of Louise Earnshaw's entrepreneurial work in early 2003 whilst he was a City Councillor with the Kalgoorlie Boulder Shire Council. He brought her across in April to work with the Eastern Goldfields community. Bill and Louise worked together, in conjunction with the Eastern Goldfields College during the subsequent years, to bring the accredited courses and Chutzpah model to Kalgoorlie and the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Bill nominated Earnshaw for the DEST Executive Award which she eventually undertook with Tibetan and desert-tribe communities in the Indian Himalayas in 2007.
Bill was still a City Councillor and was employed by the Goldfields Department of Employment and Workplace Relations as Solution Broker at the Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC) when he died.
Bill's spirit lives on in our work.
Chutzpah Goldfields Facilitator
Kristen Orazi, supported by Gary Bonney and Jade O'Donnell, launched Chutzpah Goldfields with a group of six young indigenous Chutzpaniks aged 15 years. The team's love for the local young people earned them a close relationship that supported the unleashing of the amazing entrepreneurial talent in the founders of Golden Pearl Modelling Agency.
The Chutzpaniks
Goldfields Chutzpaniks were local Aboriginal students enrolled, but not attending, the local high school. Like most other Chutzpaniks, they found that education system alone couldn't recognise and optimise their talents, which left them with few options to build future careers. With nothing short of zeal, each Chutzpanik embraced the Chutzpah methodology and launched Golden Pearl Modelling Agency in twelve weeks.
The founders of Golden Pearl were repeatedly touted by the indigenous, education, government and commercial community as inspirational role models for the black and white community alike. Their transformation in a matter of months demonstrated that given the opportunity and appropriate environment, incredible output is possible.
Golden Pearl Founders all graduated year 11 and some returned to complete year 12 whilst others secured employment and traineeships in indigenous corporations and communities.
The Founders of Golden Pearl were invited to attend the Indigenous Business Australia's First Nations Economic Opportunities Conference in Sydney, July 2006.
The Governor General in his conference opening address, commended the Chutzpah Factory College of Entrepreneurship Inc. for its work in indigenous Australia Chutzpaniks. He then had the privilege of meeting Golden Pearl founders.
Some highlights of their work and their experiences can be seen in the pages below:
