The Aboriginal community of Lockhart River is located 800km from Cairns in North Queensland. It’s a long way from anywhere. In 1848 the explorer Edmund Kennedy set up a base camp near the mouth of the Pascoe River, 33 km west of Lockhart River. Kennedy left nine men at Pascoe River who learned the hard way how isolated it is. By the time they were found by a supply ship, only two of the men remained alive, the other seven having died from disease and starvation.

Although isolated, Lockhart River has a vibrant community of around 450 people. Paul Piva is the Deputy Mayor of Lockhart River Aboriginal Council and a budding entrepreneur.

Paul Piva

As he sits in his ‘office’, under a fig tree at the Lockhart River airstrip, Paul gazes in the direction of three hire vehicles neatly parked in a row. All three are allocated to passengers soon arriving on a Skytrans flight from Cairns, and all three are owned by Paul and his partner Lorraine (Laney) Warradoo trading as Lockhart River Car Hire. They have a further four vehicles in their fleet, which are currently out on hire.

The growth of Lockhart River Car Hire has been impressive as the company only commenced operations in early 2008, with a solitary vehicle. The area is popular with public servants, contractors and holidaymakers who flock to Portland Roads and Chilli Beach, 40km or so to the north of Lockhart River. Business is so good that Paul and Laney are about to base three more vehicles at the airport in Coen, a small town and commercial centre on the Cape, 210 km to the west of Lockhart River.

Paul is proud of what Lockhart River Car Hire has achieved and is quick to thank the various Government bodies and private businesses that have assisted the steady growth of the company.

“When I first had the idea, I got in contact with Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and it all started from there. I dealt with the Cairns office of IBA, especially Trevor Brook. He was my Case Manager. They looked at it and said we were good candidates and sent the forms to Canberra and then IBA asked us to choose a business advisor to do a business plan.”

The ongoing business mentoring provided through IBA was of great benefit to Paul and Laney. “We chose Future Solutions in Townsville and had Dean Rowley from that firm develop a business plan for us. This was then approved by IBA and the loan was arranged for us to move forward with our new business.”

Paul and Laney quickly learned about the challenges of running a small business and they appreciated the assistance when they needed it most.

“All the while, Trevor, as our Case Manager, assisted us every time I needed something.  You’ve got to remember that Lockhart River is more than 800 km north of Cairns, yet Trevor would respond immediately.

“He was also my mentor and when I thought that the going was getting too tough and there were problems that I and my wife, Laney, couldn’t solve completely by ourselves in this fairly isolated spot in north Queensland, Trevor would fly up for a few days and help us sort it out until we could see blue sky again!”

Lockhart River is undergoing a renaissance and is home to a vibrant artistic community. Take a drive with Paul wearing his hat as Deputy Mayor and he proudly shows the advanced construction of the new shopping complex that will replace the old State Government community store. Additional facilities at the shopping complex will include a coffee shop/café and a bakery.

Over at the cultural centre, talented artist and Indigenous dance teacher, Josiah Omeenyo, one of the noted ‘Lockhart River Art Gang’, is putting the finishing touches to one of his ‘big picture’ acrylic-on-canvas paintings. Some are used as a medium to interpret the effects on the land and sea caused by global warming. The paintings are sent to Josiah’s agent in Sydney and from there are sold to eager buyers around the world.

Paul’s latest addition to his company’s fleet is a 2006 Toyota Troop Carrier that was purchased recently at the Queensland Government Motor Auctions in Cairns. It had been repainted and received a new fit-out inside so Paul didn’t initially recognise it as Lockhart’s former ambulance!  It’s now being put to a much different use in the community and represents the sense of renewal, adventure and hope in Lockhart River.

Eighteen months after setting up the business Paul Piva and Laney Warradoo know the foundations have definitely been laid to progress the business. Paul says, with his ever-friendly smile, “Indigenous Business Australia set my family on a path to prosperity. But I know and realise it will also involve a lot of hard work along the way.”

That hard work is paying off with Lockhart River Car Hire receiving a Highly Commended Award at the Queensland Reconciliation Awards for Business held during NAIDOC Week 2009 in Brisbane. Judges commented that they were impressed with Paul and Laney’s commitment to sharing local stories with their customers, and giving advice and help to other Indigenous communities interested in setting up a car hire business.

Paul and Laney look forward to continuing to build the business and sustain it for their family and future. With the community of Lockhart River behind them they are well on their way.