He has taken on the job knowing that South32’s massive manganese mine will close in six to eight years, which will mean an end to royalties and mining jobs.

The land council, which represents the Anindilyakwa people from 14 clans, is working hard to develop wealth-creating ventures. 

its mission statement says: To lay the foundation for a future Groote Economy post-GEMCO mining. 

“My thoughts are about preparing for life without the mine.” 

Mr Teao has many other responsibilities apart from driving economic growth, 

including ensuring that the land is properly rehabilitated after mining, preserving culture, protecting the environment, and strengthening governance and financial reporting.

“This job is no walk in the park, but I’m deeply honoured to be doing it,” he says.

He has three decades of leadership experience with government, including six years with West Arnhem Regional Council, three years in north Queensland and three years in the Pilbara, successfully driving the strategic direction of Indigenous corporations.

His last role was a chief executive of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation in Melbourne.

Mr Teao has built up a reputation for establishing strong, transparent management and leading complicated, highly-detailed negotiations with agreements.

For instance, he played a key part in forging the agreement that led to Queensland’s Daintree National Park being handed back to Traditional Owners.

THE ANINDILYAKWA PEOPLE ARE MADE UP OF 14 CLANS LIVING ON A NEAR-PRISTINE ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO. PHOTO: BRITTEN ANDREWS

One of his greatest strengths is building relationships; it is not unusual for him to be listening to the concerns of Traditional Owners in remote communities one day and talking to ministers in all tiers of government the next.

“I never forget who I represent – the Traditional Owners. I want nothing but the best for them.

“I’m happy talking to TOs, politicians, lawyers, mining bosses… the lot. 

I believe in building relationships based on respect, trust and transparency.”

Mr Teao sits on several high-powered committees, including the committee overseeing the Territory’s Our Community. Our Future. Our Homes remote housing project.

Traditional Owners have not sat back and accepted the closure of the GEMCO mine – they have developed a string of commercial enterprises, including working towards a successful seafood industry.

Groote Eylandt has several key initiatives, such as the Anindilyakwa Healing Centre, a communit- led residential rehab facility, which has drawn national praise.

The healing centre means that many offenders no longer serve their sentences in juvenile detention or even the “big house” in Darwin, but instead are rehabilitated through various programs in a remote camp.

“The healing centre is a wonderful program,” Mr Teao says.

He is proud of all his teams in ALC, who contribute to the success of the organisation, such as the rangers, who manage and protect the land and sea.

Groote has a strict biosecurity program. It is one of the few places in Australia where quolls thrive and is free of cane toads thanks to well-trained sniffer dogs, which can detect the pests when they hitch a ride on barges and other vessels.

The archipelago has a rich cultural heritage – some of the Traditional Owners have just returned from exhibiting their work in Venice.

New Zealand-born Mr Teao, who has completed the terms of all his contracts during his 30 years with Indigenous organisations, has chosen to live and fulfil his contract on Groote.

“Why wouldn’t I?” he says. “It’s beautiful.” TQ

AN ALC MEDIA PROGRAM PROVIDES A PLATFORM TO RECORD STORIES IN AN ANINDILYAKWA VOICE