The civil construction company was just a sole trading firm in 2018 when Madelyn Farrington and Ryan Butterworth transitioned to a company structure. 

It has grown at a healthy, sustainable rate ever since – thanks to hard work, smart planning and, recently, support from Indigenous Business Australia, which helps the economic development opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

IBA is recognising its 50th anniversary with the theme Through the Generations, which honours the resilience, wisdom and courage of past generations, while celebrating the innovation and passion of the present. 

IBA Senior Business Development Officer Rachel Harding says: “We love to see businesses such as Butterworth Industries thrive. Their hard work and dedication are laying the foundation for future generations. 

“IBA’s latest research, Pathways through Business, showed that female Indigenous businesses are the fastest-growing business demographic, and it’s amazing to see how their success lifts entire communities.” 

Madelyn was born and raised in Katherine, although she is a proud Quandamooka woman whose family are from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in Queensland. 

“We saw the opportunity the Territory has to offer within the civil and construction Industry,” she says. “Although it has its challenges, we love the benefits and freedom of being our own boss.” 

Butterworth Industries began primarily with excavation and earthworks on residential and commercial lot developments. 

But it has since ventured into the civil Industry, winning contracts for hydraulics and civil works packages. 

The company also specialises in heavy hire of plant and machinery. 

The biggest success is being the longest-serving local civil contractor on site at the RAAF Base Tindal redevelopment project. 

“We have overcome many, many challenges in business, from relocating our family and business without any work or contracts lined up, through to covid-19, where travel was non-existent and employment security was crippled. 

“We have overcome snakes in business, who decide not to pay their bills, and others who straight out poach work.” 

Madelyn’s advice to other Indigenous entrepreneurs is: Go for it! 

“If you have an idea or a dream, make a plan, set some goals and start now. 

“Business is tough. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. There is so much opportunity out there for anyone with the drive to make a change or to do better, not only for themselves but for their community as well.” 

IBA has been a great help for Butterworth Industries, including linking Madelyn and Ryan with a business consultant, who identified key factors in their business performance, helped with budget and cashflow analysis, identified operational flaws, and provided advice for future planning and overall improvements. 

IBA also supported Butterworth Industries with website design and development, and a loan to buy a new watercart. 

“This support has been really important to us, following our business plan to reduce costs and improve operations and further support our staff to grow. 

“I hope to further grow and shape our business ventures in avenues that are exciting and bring further learning and capabilities to our workforce. 

“I thrive on learning new things and there is so much the construction industry has to offer in this space. 

“I hope to support locals within our community to join us in strengthening what our business can provide for our future generations. We are the small people in the big game. 

“I aspire to lead and support my children in whatever they wish to pursue in life. I hope to share my experiences and learnings with them and anyone else who is interested in my story.” 

Madelyn hopes to leave a legacy that inspires others to go for it. 

“Ryan and I have shared ideas and dreams, and our business is a reflection of just that. We wouldn’t be where we are today, without the work we each do.”