From ABC Rural NewsBy Margot Foster

The story of Valery’s bus is a tale of how an indigenous community is working with others to solve the high cost of transport. Valery Dhamarrandji lives in Nhulunbuy – a remote community in eastern Arnhem Land. There are plenty of taxis in that part of the world, but taxis don’t come cheap.

So Valery reckoned that it would be good idea to get a bus. She approached the Indigenous Stock Exchange (ISX – see on this site). It’s a service which helps indigenous people who have a business project or a service to offer to connect with investors and customers.

The ISX began to publicise Valery’s idea hoping that sponsers would come forward to finance a bus. Sponsers did respond and a week ago Valery began operating the Southern Cross Family Car Service. You can read more about Valery’s Bus and other projects fostered by the Indigenous Stock Exchange by visiting their website. www.isx.org.au.

In this report: Valery Dhamarrandji, bus operator from Nhulunbuy; Elizabeth Aitken, sponsor from New South Wales; Peter Botsman, ISX voluntary secretary

Listen to or download this story: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bushtelegraph/