Blak Brews shines at Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards

GEELONG-based Indigenous tea brand Blak Brews has triumphed again, this time earning recognition for its impact on the broader community at the Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards.

Held annually, the awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across the state and highlights the hard work, resilience and dedication they have to the self-determination of the nation’s First Peoples.

Blak Brews took home the Community Choice Award, a newly created but already highly coveted award that recognises the exceptional achievements and impact of a Kinaway member, as voted by the community.

Business founder Troy Benjamin said the recognition was welcome encouragement and showed Blak Brews had both the support and love of the community.

“Aboriginal businesses are very community orientated in everything we do,” Mr Benjamin said.

“To get some data back on that – which is really hard to find – it’s really special.

“Something that doesn’t get talked about much is ‘How are you tracking?’

“I just know a lot of business people get worn out by the acceptance of others and at times it can be quite crippling wondering, because we can be quite negative on ourselves.

“We are very thankful and grateful to be reminded we are definitely not alone.”

The award brings to a close a whirlwind year for Blak Brews, after the business gained global recognition as the inaugural winner of celebrity chef Gordan Ramsay’s Food Stars competition earlier this year.

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer William Lancaster said it was incredibly inspiring to see Blak Brews win the award.

“Blak Brews’ success is a beautiful example of the resilience and determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” he said.

“It shows that Mob are resolute in embracing their right to self-determination, and are striving to create opportunities, build generational wealth and a meaningful legacy that will impact their communities for generations to come.

“It takes a community, and the community answered.”

Mr Benjamin said the business would continue to focus on growth and enhancing its position within both the Australian and international marketplace as it strives to build a reputation as a premium iconic Australian brand.

“I’ve got a really loveable product and even things like these awards remind us that we’re getting the right message out there,” he said.

“First and foremost, we just want people to enjoy this really crazy-good product.”

For more information, head to blakbrews.com