HORIZON IMPACT BRIDGE OPENS DOORS FOR REGIONAL FIRST NATIONS WOMEN
By Lynnese O’Donoghue
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women across regional Western Australia are being encouraged to back themselves and apply for a free leadership and entrepreneurship program designed to turn ideas into action.
Jahna Cedar, Horizon Co-Facilitator
HORIZON Impact Bridge WA 2026 is expanding across the state this year, with programs to be delivered in Port Hedland, Newman and Bunbury.
Up to 36 women will be supported through regional masterclasses, practical business development sessions, online workshops and mentoring.
For Pilbara women, the program will come to Port Hedland from September 1 to 3, before travelling to Newman from September 7 to 9.
HORIZON co-facilitator and Nyiyaparli woman Jahna Cedar told Ngaarda Radio Breakfast host, Lynnese O’Donoghue, the program grew from its beginnings in the Pilbara after organisers heard clearly what regional women needed.
“It was around our women are very much full of capability and competence, but sometimes we're lacking the confidence to step into spaces,” Cedar said.
“What we heard clearly was that we needed to build confidence, build connection, and some of that practical learning that they gain so that they can own the spaces that they're working in.”
The original HORIZON masterclass focuses on leadership, communication, branding and entrepreneurial thinking, while the new Impact Bridge component has been designed for women who are already developing businesses or projects and want more specialised support.
That can include business modelling, understanding customers, marketing, digital tools, accessing grants and raising capital.
Cedar said one of the strengths of the program was that it travelled into regional communities instead of expecting women to leave Country and attend metropolitan programs.
“We work initially with Elders and community itself to understand the needs and barriers and cultural considerations of the area because none of our communities have those same pressures everywhere,” she said.
“It's not a one-size-fits-all approach.”
The program also recognises the practical barriers facing regional women, including distance, family responsibilities, limited access to business networks and childcare.
Cedar recalled a previous Newman program where women said childcare was stopping them from attending training.
“So we go and engage somebody locally to look after the children so our mothers can attend,” she said.
“It's really meeting mob where they're at and finding solutions to help them overcome.”
Participants can also receive ongoing mentoring from First Nations women from around Australia.
The mentoring is tailored to each participant and can include testing a business idea, developing a business model, preparing a grant application, setting goals and breaking larger ambitions into achievable steps.
Cedar said the impact often extended well beyond individual businesses.
“When a woman strengthens her own leadership or grows even within business, then they're creating employment, they're strengthening families, they're supporting community initiatives, and they're really shining for our younger generations,” she said.
For women questioning whether their idea is developed enough to apply, Cedar had a simple message.
“Please don't count yourself out before you've even applied,” she said.
“You don't need to have a perfect business plan or a polished pitch or even everything worked out. That's what this workshop will do.”
“Sometimes readiness itself doesn't have to feel like certainty. We don't have all of the answers. Sometimes it's simply being willing to take that first step.”
Applications for HORIZON Impact Bridge WA 2026 close Tuesday, August 18.
The program is free for selected participants.
2026 PROGRAM DATES
Port Hedland
HORIZON Masterclass — September 1–2
Impact Bridge — September 3
Newman
HORIZON Masterclass — September 7–8
Impact Bridge — September 9
Bunbury
HORIZON Masterclass — October 19–20
Impact Bridge — October 21
Online workshops will also be delivered through September and October, with ongoing mentoring available to participants.
Apply: https://www.firstnationsx.io/horizon
Applications close: Tuesday, August 18, 2026.