Indigenous Affairs

SALTBUSH: MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Saltbush vision rose from the red dirt of Central Australia in response to the unique and specific challenges faced by so many Territorians in their struggles to live a fulfilling life.  From the early successful pre-employment programs, such as Future Stars, developed for and by local people with lived experience, Saltbush now...

Indigenous Affairs

NLC PROUD OF KIDS LEARNING IN TWO WORLD

Learning on Country, an initiative of the Northern Land Council and 15 remote schools, is doing just that: teaching students the western way but wrapped in a strong blanket of traditional lore and love of country. Land council chairman Sam Bush- Blanasi is proud of the progress the program is making in the bush. “Our kids are learning to...

Education

SHELLIE LEADS CDU’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST

This was demonstrated at the 2022 Alumni Awards, which showcase the best and brightest former students who have become leaders and innovators – and have demonstrated excellence throughout their careers. The awards highlighted the breadth of talent by honouring graduates ranging from a renowned singer to a robotics entrepreneur. CDU’s...

Indigenous Affairs

MRM PLAYS GOLF FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Held over two days in August and September 2022, more than 200 MRM employees and contractors hit the fairways at the Palmerston Golf and Country Club for a day of fun, some wonderfully average golf, and to raise important funds all in the name of charity. MRM continues its strong partnership with the foundation through its Charity Golf Day...

Indigenous Affairs

THE BEAUTY OF BARUNGA

The leader of the Bagala clan, Bangardi Lee, came up with the idea of the Barunga Festival, a joyous celebration of Indibenous culture. That was in 1985. The festival has been held every year since – and attracts about 4000 visitors. It’s a showcase of music, sport, traditional arts and cultural activities over three days. In 1988,...

Business

GREAT LEAP FORWARD

Indigenous people have been fishing and gathering seafood along the Northern Territory’s vast coast for more than 50,000 years. Now they are poised to become major players in the commercial industries. The Aboriginal Sea Company was set up by the Northern, Tiwi and Anindilyakwa land councils after several years of consultation with...

Indigenous Affairs

BILAWARA LEE: PROTECTING LARRAKIA CULTURE

The old Larrakia lady lay in her bed at the palliative care unit in Royal Darwin Hospital and wept quietly. Not because she was dying – she accepted that with dignity – but because she feared she would not be able to understand her ancestors when she crossed to the other side. They would speak only Larrakia, a language not spoken...

NEC Indigenous Affairs

NEC DRIVES PROSPERITY

NEC’s forward-thinking policy of awarding subcontracts to Northern Territory businesses is having a lucrative knock-on effect.  The work improves the capability and capacity of the Territory’s information technology industry.  And it acts as the business bedrock – enabling subcontractors to win other contracts, take on more...

RAPIDCLEAN NT Business

RAPIDCLEAN GROWS WITH THE TERRITORY

An Aboriginal-owned company is so confident of its future and the Territory’s economic prospects that it has built a fit-for-purpose warehouse, office and showroom in Darwin’s leading business hub.  RapidClean NT, which is wholly owned by Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation, will soon move from rented premises in Winnellie to the new 1200...

INPEX Business

ASHLEY TAKES INPEX PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

Ashley Stephensen worked as a lab technician for more than a decade in the mining industry before securing a laboratory analyst position with INPEX in July 2021 as part of the Solid Pathways Program.  Ashley is born and bred in Darwin and his family are Woolwonga people from the Frances Creek area near Pine Creek.  He started his...

Screen Territory Indigenous Affairs

NT SCREEN INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO BOOM

Screen business is thriving in the Northern Territory with record results driven by a raft of new initiatives.  The Territorian screen industry is experiencing record levels of production with a wide range of projects reaching a huge international viewership. The introduction of a new program to attract large-scale international...

DITT Business

HOW BUYING POLICY BENEFITS BUSINESS

Ryan and Soraya Smith had a newborn and toddler in tow when they set up their company three years ago. But the business overcame the demands of good parenting and survived the pandemic to grow from two people to a staff of 10. “We’re nothing if not resilient,” says Soraya. The 33-year-old Aboriginal woman runs the administration...