Kalair McArthur to attend the Social Enterprise World (Rural) Forum

A Rockhampton mother and entrepreneur is supporting businesses in rural and remote areas to achieve their dreams. She is set to attend the Social Enterprise World (Rural) Forum later this year.

A Rockhampton mother and entrepreneur is supporting businesses in rural and remote areas to achieve their dreams.

Kalair McArthur is the director of her own business, Rural and Remote Development Consultants, which supports businesses in rural and remote areas to achieve success and grow their sustainability and economic development.

The business offers support with grants, funding, investment, statistical research, government relations, report writing and more.

Ms McArthur said she wanted to build the capacity of people in rural and remote areas so they had the ability, knowledge, technology and connections to do it themselves.

Director of Rural and Remote Development Consultants Kalair McArthur. Picture: Aden Stokes

“If you are in Windorah in Outback Queensland where there is no solicitor, no accountant and no other business training or resources apart from online, a lot of times people are a bit flummoxed by all of the different government requirements, grant applications or even navigating legislation,” she said.

“It’s about giving them support to access and use all that stuff and meet people in other parts of the industry that can help them benefit and grow.”

She said she started her business three years ago after working as the executive officer for Regional Development Australia and “falling in love” the role.

“There was some instability in the funding from the government and that just pushed me to decide I want to do this myself,” she said.

“I want to go out to all these places, physically be there boots on the ground, and support people to build their dream.”

She said she had many different things happening at the moment.

“I am working with multiple Indigenous ranger groups and building their capacity and going into new enterprises, as well as several entrepreneurs that have designed and patented their own products,” she said.

“I am regularly in different places, up into the Northern Territory and as far north as the Torres Strait and down into South Australia.

Director of Rural and Remote Development Consultants Kalair McArthur in front of a map of all the places she has been with her business. Picture: Aden Stokes

“No day is ever the same and that is what is so exciting and amazing about it.”

She said she was passionate about rural and remote areas and people because “nobody you will ever meet wears one hat”.

“They have 10 or 20 other hats they wear on behalf of their community,” she said.

“Every time a business succeeds in that area that is more donation those businesses make to their school groups, to their sporting associations, to their cultural organisations, to their community as a whole.

“The volunteering percentage in rural and remote areas is the highest anywhere in Australia and that is what we are trying to capture but make it financially sustainable so their communities can continue to grow and succeed.”

Ms McArthur is one of 10 entrepreneurs and business leaders that have been selected to attend the Social Enterprise World (Rural) Forum and access a package of capacity building support valued at $5000 thanks to Westpac Agribusiness and Westpac Foundation, a major partner for the forum.

The 2022 Social Enterprise World Forum is the leading forum for international exchange and collaboration in social entrepreneurship and social investment and will be held in Brisbane from September 27 to 29.

The Rural Forum is specifically focused on fostering entrepreneurship in local communities and addressing the unique challenges faced by those living outside metro areas and will be held in Beechworth Victoria.

Director of Rural and Remote Development Consultants Kalair McArthur. Picture: Aden Stokes

“I was lucky enough to be put forward to attend but I am specifically going to be attending in person the Rural Forum in Victoria,” Ms McArthur said.

“It is specifically focused on how the social enterprises engage with our rural and remote communities and we have representatives coming from across the world to attend.

“It is very rare that it is the first time an idea has been done anywhere, it’s more about it might be the first time you have adapted it to your particular area, community or set of circumstances.

“It’s about going and learning from all of those different people that have undertaken these projects from their corner of the world and Australia and seeing how it applies to the people and businesses I get to work with.”

She said she wanted to encourage people to take a perspective of their business as a social enterprise.

“They are helping out the local communities and doing so much but maybe not with the understanding or appreciation of how much they are contributing,” she said.

“Step back and have an appreciation of how much you do contribute because it is noticeable.”

Westpac Agribusiness national general manager Stephen Hannan said, “Westpac congratulates these 10 worthy grant recipients on their ongoing commitment to seeking sustainable solutions”.

“In our experience, growth and progress aren’t possible without knowledge or understanding and it’s reassuring to see this group demonstrate these quantities,” Mr Hannan said.

“This really is an opportunity for these bright minds to proactively contribute to the long term sustainability of our important rural communities and adopting new approaches to address future challenges.”

Originally published as Kalair McArthur to attend the Social Enterprise World (Rural) Forum