HORIZON PROGRAM EXPANDS TO EMPOWER INDIGENOUS WOMEN
HORIZON 2024 Participants - Ngarluma Women Jade Churnside and Sarah Hicks - National Parks Rangers at Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation
BY ASAD KHAN
Leadership initiative grows after successful Pilbara trial
The HORIZON leadership program will expand nationally in 2025, following a successful pilot in the Pilbara that strengthened confidence and networks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Forty-four Indigenous women from regional Western Australia and Queensland will participate in the six-month program, which offers leadership training, business skills, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Workshops will be delivered on the ground in Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Mackay, and the Isaac region.
HORIZON 2025 Co-Facilitator - Jahna Cedar.
HORIZON co-chair Jahna Cedar said the program was designed with regional women to reflect the realities they face, including isolation, limited childcare, and cultural responsibilities.
“Particularly in mainstream leadership programs, I was flying to the regions, delivering a program in mining camps, and then flying back to Perth. That’s not regional development,” program lead Kylah Morrison told Ngaarda Media.
HORIZON 2024 Participant - Reginia Girgirba, Group Operation Manager - Martu Waru
“We want to be on the ground helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are in leadership roles, working in not-for-profits, corporates, or running their own businesses.”
The pilot program in 2024 involved 31 participants representing 22 language groups. All reported stronger networks, improved skills, and greater confidence. A video from last year’s participants sharing their experiences is available online: watch here.
Applications for the 2025 West Australian programs are now open until Tuesday 2 September. The Karratha two-day intensive workshop will be held on 18–19 September. Women interested in applying can visit First Nations X for more information.
HORIZON 2024 Participant - Vision Board
The program is delivered by Atomic Sky, First Nations X, and Project Play Up – Leadership for Women, with support from the WA government’s New Industries Fund, Local Buying Foundation, Queensland Trading Tracks, MARABISDA, Gold Fields, Mt Burdett Foundation, Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber, and other partners committed to Indigenous leadership and business development.
Ms Morrison said the program’s impact extended beyond individuals.
“The change goes deeper than professional development—it strengthens families and communities,” she said.
With demand growing and early results showing wide community benefit, HORIZON is set to become a long-term initiative supporting Indigenous women leaders across Australia.
Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Asad Khan speak with program lead Kylah Morrison: