One PowerMaker is presenting at a conference in Perth today, and two others are co-facilitating hydrogen information sessions for target First Nations communities over the next couple of months, highlighting the personal development and leadership opportunities in attending the Network’s PowerMakers capacity building program.

PowerMakers is a transformative program designed to empower First Nations people to drive participation in and ownership of clean energy solutions in our communities and on Country.

Following a competitive process, 32 First Nations people from communities across Australia were selected for PowerMakers held in Cairns in October 2023, from over 100 applicants. Participants spent five days in an immersive experience learning about clean energy, community energy planning, advanced energy systems, project ownership and negotiation, and business management.

Since then PowerMakers have been kicking goals, including speaking at the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium to a 350-strong audience, presenting online in Network webinars for First Nations, attending media training, and advancing clean energy projects in their communities.

Today, PowerMaker Neil Purcell will be speaking on behalf of the First Nations Clean Energy Network on 'Putting into practice Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Best Practice Principles for Clean Energy Projects' at a sold-out event on 'First Nations and Australia's Energy Transition' alongside Adjunct Professor Emma Garlett, Nyungar-Nyiyaparli-Yamatji Traditional Owner and Director of Garlett Group, Brigette McDowell from Powerhouse, and Rob Grant from Pollination.

And two further PowerMaker alumni, Shirley McPherson and Bec Halliday are co-facilitating hydrogen workshops with the Network during June and July in five regions where First Nations communities are at the forefront of potential new large-scale hydrogen development so that people have appropriate information to make informed decisions.

We’re already in planning for PowerMakers 2024. Attending PowerMakers is a unique opportunity to enhance your personal skills and knowledge, as highlighted in these short interviews with PowerMaker participants from 2023, while also contributing to the collective progress of First Nations clean energy solutions and the role we play in leading the energy transition throughout Australia. 

Please become a Member of the First Nations Clean Energy Network to receive information about our next PowerMakers program. Only First Nations members of the Network will be invited to submit an expression of interest to be considered for participation in our next program.