The program includes taking Aboriginal boys as work experience students at the port.

It won the inaugural Community Collaboration and Corporate Responsibility trophy at the NT Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

Port owner Landbridge says the partnership with Clontarf is a great success and “stellar”.

The Clontarf Foundation works to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

The awards were staged with the Territory Government and sponsored by the Power and Water Corporation.

“These awards are a celebration of business,” says Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer Nicole Walsh.

“The Outstanding Customer Service awards are all about being recognised by a client or customer as going above and beyond – that’s one of the highest benchmarks for a business.

 “The Business Excellence awards demonstrate and articulate growth in areas such as sustainability, diversity, innovation and more.

“The Community Collaboration award was new and a favourite. It recognises a business that works with another business or organisation to develop a key service or product that greatly benefits the wider community.”

NT-Wide Winners

Outstanding customer service – individual: Chris Vosloo of Dynamic Catering Solutions

Other finalists

Megan Niven of Gove Real Estate – highly commended

Ian Smith of We Wash Windows, Alice Springs

Zachary Stowell of Devils Marbles Hotel

Bianca Stubbs of Bendigo Bank, Katherine

Outstanding customer service – small/medium business: Coffee Club, Katherine

Other finalists

Little Rippers Lifestyle, Tennant Creek – highly commended

Swank Shoes, Alice Springs

Outlook Psychology Practice, Nhulunbuy

Dynamic Catering Solutions, Darwin

Outstanding customer service – large business: Linkup Australia, Alice Springs

Other finalists

IGA Supermarket, Tennant Creek – highly commended

Casuarina Square, Darwin

1690 restaurant, Alice Springs Turf Club

Black Cat Civil, Katherine

Monadelphous Engineering, Darwin and Nhulunbuy

Outstanding customer service –
not for profit: Careflight

Other finalists

St John NT, Tennant Creek – highly commended

Braitling Neighbourhood Centre, Alice Springs

Katherine Public Library

Gove Golf Club

Excellence in business – small/medium: OOSEVEN Adventures

Other finalists

Sunshine House Respite, Katherine – highly commended

Stanes Transport, Alice Springs

Battery Hill Gold Mining & Heritage Centre, Tennant Creek

Big Carpentry, Nhulunbuy

Excellence in business – large:
Darwin Convention Centre

Other finalists

Consolidated Pastoral Company, Tennant Creek – highly commended

Gumatj Corporation, Nhulunbuy 

Excellence in business – not for profit:
Deadly Hair Dude, Darwin

Other finalists

Red Hot Arts, Alice Springs – highly commended

8EAR Community Radio, Katherine

Step Out Disability Services, Nhulunbuy 

Excellence in business – community cooperation: Clontarf/Darwin Port

Other finalists

Purple House/Coles, Alice Springs highly commended

RN Employment/Deadly House Dude, Tennant Creek

O’Keeffe House, Katherine