The organisation has grown in a measured, sustainable way over the past few years and now has 10 divisions, ranging from employment services to a one-stop shop for cleaning products and equipment, from labour hire to Northern Australia’s only dry ice cleaning operation. 

Ironbark, which employs around 100 staff, is not-for-profit but has a for-profit division called Ironbark Services NT. 

One arm of Ironbark is the increasingly popular Aboriginal Bush Traders, a social enterprise cafe, art gallery and gift shop in the Charles Darwin Centre that has become one of the places to catch up with friends and business contacts. 

The corporation, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, covers a vast area stretching from Darwin south to the Daly River – a “patch” bigger than some countries. 

It is fully Aboriginal-owned and has a 100 percent Aboriginal governing board. 

Robyn Regattieri and Regina Bennett have been serving the corporation as board members since it was founded. 

The other board members are Halpin Hart, Jerome Cubillo, Sonya Laughton, Joe Brown and Rob McPhee, all respected Indigenous leaders and advocates from member organisations. 

Profits are ploughed back into the community. 

Ironbark supports a wide range of community groups, including Daly River Buffaloes football team, Clontarf Foundation, Hoops 4 Health program, the No Woman Left Behind and International Men’s Day events as part of an investment in the wellbeing, education and empowerment of Indigenous youth. 

Ironbark is proud to deliver the Community Development Program (CDP) in the Darwin/Daly region in partnership with NIAA. 

The CDP supports jobseekers in Indigenous and remote communities to build skills, address barriers and contribute to their communities through a range of flexible activities. 

The Darwin/Daly CDP is the largest in the country with six main Ironbark activity centres spread across the region – Holtze, Humpty Doo, Berry Springs, Belyuen, Adelaide River and Nauiyu. 

Each centre runs workshops and learning programs to give participants hands-on training opportunities and real-life work experiences. 

Ironbark has a commitment to train and support a skilled Indigenous workforce, and also provides opportunities to upskill non-Indigenous Territorians. 

Ironbark’s slogan is: Changing lives – one story at a time. 

“I love the slogan,” says Shaun Pearce, who has overseen dynamic growth since being appointed chief executive of Ironbark nearly nine years ago. It underscores the corporation’s commitment to transforming lives and communities.” 

It is committed to creating real job opportunities and generating wealth. 

As Mr Pearce says simply: “We’re here to make a difference.” 

CONTACT 

Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation 

Darwin Corporate Park, building 1 level 2/631 Stuart Hwy, Berrimah NT 0828 

(08) 8931 6600 

ironbark.org.au