[Background music]

[Owner, Belinda Lee Day (Bindi), owner of BindiLee Painting Services]

Sydnie was a perfect fit for the Back to Work program, because she she's exactly what I wanted in the vision of Bindi Lee, an Indigenous woman that really wanted the opportunity to follow her dream.

BindiLee focuses more on um, being able to put the inclusion of our culture, Indigen Indigenous aspects into the business. So we focus a lot on murals, specialty activities um, as well as the Trade Services.

The Back to Work program for me was probably the most valuable thing of kickstarting my business to the next level. Without the Back to Work program funding there was a possibility that I wouldn't be able to employ um, and if I didn't employ I wasn't going to grow.

[Sydnie Corrigan-Graham, Painting Apprentice]

With Bindi Lee, I am a painting Apprentice I'm definitely enjoying this role working with alongside with Bindi because, well, we not only paint houses interior and exterior, but we also do murals. And as an Indigenous woman working alongside another Indigenous woman, it ends up bringing out so much more passion because you can just feel how connected you are, especially with every piece that we end up painting. And I think it's absolutely awesome that I get to have the opportunity to do so.

With any opportunity, just take hold of it because the world is your oyster at the end of the day, and it's all up to you.

[Bindi]

The Back to Work program has definitely helped me reach that vision of um, you know BindiLee being able to employ Indigenous women in trade. And with Sydnie being the first uh I hope it's not the last of many.

[Music]

BindiLee Painting Services is an Indigenous-owned and operated business providing painting services to Brisbane Northern Suburbs and the Moreton Bay region. Owner Belinda Lee (Bindi) specialises in Aboriginal design inspired murals, authentic custom painted modern Aboriginal artwork as well as residential painting services.

Bindi also works as a supervisor on Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects in the metro region, where she met Sydnie, an Indigenous woman and graduate of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program. Sydnie has gone on to start her Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship with Bindi and has been thriving in the traditionally male dominated trade. Thanks to the Back to Work program, Bindi was eligible to access the Youth Boost incentive payment for hiring Sydnie.

Bindi said: 'Employing Sydnie has been a great decision, we are known for being Indigenous painters, which is good because it's who we are. We understand each other's cultural needs and really get each other. Turns out we are from the same tribe, Noonuccal from Quandamooka country. Without Syd I would be stagnate, Syd likes the next step, I want to support her through her apprenticeship and then continue employing Indigenous women.'

Sydnie says she is passionate about learning new things so she can gain new skills and experience. Sydnie and Bindi work together in the community to paint Aboriginal designed murals in schools and Sydnie is excited to be able to inject creative Indigenous artworks into her usual trade activities. Sydnie said 'I'm committed to the completion of this apprenticeship and look forward to the possibilities of new opportunities in the near future.'

Bindi said: 'The Back to Work payment helped me purchase a vehicle which will be for Sydnie to drive when she is ready. I also had shirts made and now pay someone to do the payroll. Back to Work can really help with the set up when employing an apprentice.'

Back to Work support payments of up to $20,000 are available to employers who hire an eligible unemployed Queenslander who is aged between 15–24 years. Applications are open all year round for the payments which are available throughout regional Queensland and in select areas of South East Queensland.

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*Bindi and Sydnie are wearing their Bindi designed custom work shirts.

Last updated 19 September 2024

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0)