Kim Collard: A lasting legacy
When you think of a trailblazer in the Western Australian business landscape, Kim Collard is very much someone who may come to mind. The Balladong Whadjuk entrepreneur established office supply store, Kulbardi, Kooya Australia Fleet Solutions, and Kooya Consultancy, back when you could almost count the Aboriginal-owned businesses in WA on one hand. Not bad for a kid who was told by his Year 6 teacher that he would never amount to anything.
“We were one of the first Aboriginal businesses, and the Aboriginal business sector is still relatively new,” says Kim. “There’s a 30 to 40-year window because of the Mabo decision, but in the last 15 years, we’ve seen massive growth. We’ve become more mature, and as a result, we no longer have to go through the glass ceiling. We have size, we have scale, we have capabilities in order to deliver – those were the barriers in the early days.”
Not only did Kim smash through the glass ceiling as one of the first Aboriginal businessmen in WA, he was one of the first to incorporate investing a percentage of profits back into community projects as part of his strategy, with the creation of The Bibbulmun Fund. The Fund supports a range of leadership programs, from providing scholarships to Aboriginal LGBTI+ students through The Pinnacle Foundation, to funding a STEM curriculum program with Adelaide Crows, and supporting aspiring Aboriginal leaders to become CEOs and Board Members via the Beediyar Program. Its positive impact on community initiatives includes funding dialysis machines for Purple House Foundation in Central Australia, and Galiwin’ku Women’s Space, a community in Northern Territory that helps women who have experienced domestic violence.
As a consequence of his dedication to philanthropy alongside his business achievements, Kim is a regularly sought after speaker, consultant and mentor to those just starting their journey. He has also received recognition from his peers, being named a WA finalist in the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards, awarded the 2024 NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year, and winning the 2024 Aboriginal Western Australian of the Year Award. The Bibbulmun Fund has also been recognised by Philanthropy Australia.
“The Bibbulmun Fund is our point of difference,” says Kim. “One of my mentors said to me 15 years ago, ‘you need to ask yourself, where do you want to be in 10 years’ time?’ I took some time and decided that I didn’t want to be seen as just ‘take take take’. I want to be giving back and leaving a legacy. Having grown up in a very impoverished community, mum and dad always taught us to give back and never forget where we’ve come from, always help the lesser privileged. If I was to die tomorrow, and you go before your creator and they look you in the eye and ask you, ‘Have you done good?’ I can honestly say ‘yes’.”
With that legacy in mind, attention turns to the future and the next generation. Today, Kim takes on a less operational and more board level role within Kulbardi and Kooya, with his daughter, Sharna, now at the helm.
“Whereas I’m near the end of my journey, Sharna is young, influential, knows the business, and has ambition. We saw her as a future leader, so, as a board, we decided to put her into the CEO role. We supported and mentored her, and it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions.”
It is fitting to share Kim’s story and impact during NAIDOC Week 2025, with the theme of ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’, which evokes thoughts on the past, present and future. He credits his parents for gifting him with strong values, which he has passed onto his own children, including Sharna, with whom his legacy continues, which he anticipates and hopes will follow on with his grandchildren. Thanks to his drive to give back, Kim’s legacy goes beyond immediate family, with a promising future for WA business, philanthropy and community.
“We’re creating a new generation that will be strong, powerful, unapologetic. We stand in good stead for a new and emerging generation of future leaders.”
If you know an inspiring Australian like Kim Collard, nominate them for an Australian of the Year Award at australianoftheyear.org.au.