Business

TONY AND LIBBY

Tony Smith admits that the best thing that has happened to him is Libby Prell. The couple met at the Uluru Motel in the shadow of the Rock one cold but clear-sky day in July 1980 after Libby arrived with her backpack to work. Libby quickly demonstrated her competence in the bar and housekeeping – she declined an office job because she...

Business

JAKE EGGLETON

Success in business isn’t about luck — it’s about risk, resilience and execution. Jake Eggleton built Fuel Drop and Darwin Logistics from the ground up. But it wasn’t easy – and it certainly wasn’t handed to him. Today, his companies supply fuel and road train transport to some of the Northern Territory’s biggest industries,...

Business

HELPING BUSINESS GROW

In a study of NT companies that have completed the BAP program, the average graduate reported an average increase of 22 percent in revenue growth after two years and a 21 percent increase in the rate of job growth. One of the companies benefiting is Fuel Drop, whose owner Jake Eggleton is undertaking the Growth Ramp program. “It’s a...

Business

CG’S REPUTATION BUILT ON QUALITY

Much of their work at Closet Gangster Cabinets – CG for short – comes from word-of-mouth recommendations. “Everyone knows everyone in Darwin so reputation is very important,” says Allirra, a born-and-bred Territorian known not only for her business acumen but also for being the only Indigenous woman to run six of the world’s major...

Business

RIDING HIGH

Some of our members in the Top End have provided anecdotal evidence that suggests the real estate industry could be in for a ride in 2025 with investor activity high in the residential sector. Demand is high and more stock is being sought to satisfy the interest of investors who are attracted to the positive rental yields. Many investors...

Business

M&J GIVES BACK TO INDUSTRY

Award-winning M&J Builders specialises in high-end commercial and Defence work , plusinsurance contracts. Owners Michael and Jessica Buckley, who were struggling in their home state of Victoria when they decided to put the kids and few belongings in a car and drive thousands of kilometres around Australia before settling in Darwin, are...

Business

MINISTER CLOSES LEGAL LOOPHOLE

The Petroleum, Planning and Water Legislation Amendment Bill, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly in February, removes the ability of third parties to seek so-called merits reviews. Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne says third parties, with no stake in a project, are exploiting the legal process to...

Business

Territory Pioneer – Witiyana Marika

“It’s about bringing Yolngu and balanda – white people – together,” he says.  Witiyana is a Rirratjingu man, the Traditional Owners of the Gove Peninsula, and he wears that label with pride.  He was a founding member of the iconic Aboriginal musical group Yothu Yindi.  His love for music began with a childhood...

Business

EAST ARNHEM LAND WELCOMES LUKE

Luke Walker, who is the new chief executive of Developing East Arnhem Limited (DEAL), says: “There’s such strong leadership, a genuine passion for the region, a desire for strong economic outcomes and success post-mining.  “Various regional stakeholders have demonstrated their ability to come together to find solutions to...

Business

JACKADDER INTERNATIONAL: ICT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – INNOVATIVE, INDEPENDENT, TRUSTED

They named it Jackadder International. Jackadder is the name of an attractive lake near their original home in Western Australia – and paying tribute to it aligned with their love of the environment. And the International? “Well, that was aspirational,” says Lou. Aspirational or not, the name now fits – Jackadder has enjoyed...

Business

REAL ESTATE’S MAJOR ROLE

The real estate sector plays an important part in the Territory’s economy.  While the local market in each region may differ at times, the driving and influencing factors are similar, if not the same – interest rates, cost-of-living pressures and consumer sentiment are common topics of conversation.  In the latter few months...

Business

DAD’S LEGACY LIVES ON

The late highly respected businessman Arthur Hamilton arrived in Australia as a working-class immigrant from Scotland and through brains and brawn built a successful group of companies in Darwin.  He was a loving family man, and would no doubt be delighted to know that his children are continuing his work.  One of the companies,...