INITIATIVE and dedication to the surrounding community demonstrated by a young Riverlander has caught the attention of a senior South Australian politician.
Premier Steven Marshall last month made a point of meeting Tyson Lindsay, 25, of Berri, during a visit to the Riverland before the June long weekend.
Mr Lindsay said he wanted to highlight issues among indigenous communities, and his desire to build a business focusing on improving social welfare, during his conversation with the Premier.
“I had started to build up momentum and he wanted to sit and talk with me,” Mr Lindsay said.
“He phoned and scheduled for me to meet with him the next day, which I found surprising because his meetings are scheduled months in advance.
“We met at the Berri Hotel and we ended up there for about two and a half hours, even though it was originally scheduled to go for 45 minutes.
“We covered some of the indigenous issues, then I told him why I wanted his support with my vision.”
Mr Lindsay said early stages of his business plans are aimed at resolving social issues in the local community of Gerard.
“We focused our appointment with the Premier on Gerard, which is an aboriginal mission,” he said.
“We discussed getting Gerard as our focus point and building from there, expanding to the wider community and then hopefully state-wide and nationwide.
“My team and I have been working hard for the last two years… we want to counteract and hopefully start to change some of the problems we face in the community.”
Mr Lindsay said he has recently launched a company MATHAWI, currently in its early stages, which he expects to be operating at full capacity in the near future.
“We’re working with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation for funding, and also some investors,” he said.
“MATHAWI, meaning leaders or enlightenment, will bring a breath of fresh air to the Riverland.”