For thousands of people the Cyclone Tracy 50th anniversary has triggered emotional times. 

I was fortunate to get a tour of the updated Cyclone Tracy exhibition. If you haven’t been already, do yourselves a favour and go. Some of the artifacts are significant – I love the rag-doll and the car. And the photographic statements humanised what happened. 

Throughout this edition of the magazine we talk about progress, unlocking resources and moving forward. The one thing that seems to be across the board is less tolerance for militant environmentalists with woke views trying to hold up our developments. It’s scary to see the increasing pattern of applying pressure at a federal level to block progress. Treating us like children, they run to mum and dad in Canberra to step in. 

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for regulation, accountability and environmental measures that ensure long-term sustainability and protection. However, there must be a balance to find a progressive way forward. The NT Government’s red tape razor gang is a great start. For the Northern Territory to be without a thriving economy and population growth means we become controlled and reliant on federal assistance and dependent for our basic needs. The private sector needs a green light to do the heavy lifting because at some stage the other states, especially WA, are going to wake up and say, ‘Bugger off, you mob – unlock your own resources and stop sponging off us.” 

Who’s holding the Territory back? The answer is we are. If we are tough enough to live here, then we need to grow up. Stop locking up our resources, land and our children’s economic future. Whatever it takes to get off the teat. Treasurer Bill Yan says it a lot better than I do but, essentially, it’s the same. 

At the end of 2024 I had the huge pleasure of seeing my daughter graduate from university. Territory born and school educated, she is the next generation of entrepreneurs. She heads off into the business world with a BA and major in film, television and media. From the beginning, I always believed education is key to getting ahead in life. We have smaller classes, less commute times and a connected community. Grace had to study interstate for what she wanted to do which only made it harder for her to be away from family and a network of support – we must look to build our education options to give our young ones an option to stay here and tailor education around their way of learning. 

A fair chunk of this edition of Territory Q is dedicated to education in its many forms. Our cover story, Paul Nyhuis, not only has the job of ensuring the kids at Essington School gain a world-class education but also has to balance the books. An unusual, challenging, exciting role. Over at Charles Darwin University, Mike Hamilton’s team at the resurrected TAFE is turning out that most needed Territorians – tradies. The TAFE has grown enormously since vice-chancellor Scott Bowman took the intelligent decision to make it a standalone faculty once again. A few doors down at the CDU, Hamish Campbell and his team are doing world-leading work with autonomous systems – what we humble folk call drones. Again, innovative and exciting. 

It’s great to see CBT doing good things in Borroloola because our regions are the life blood of the Territory and they do it harder than most. 

The article about Shorebarge – how the family are keeping the late Arthur Hamilton’s legacy going – is touching and inspiring. Other stories demonstrate the sheer grit and entrepreneurship of Territory businesses, despite the enormous challenges of making a dollar in a remote jurisdiction with a tiny population. 

Hats off to Jackadder International, the ICT company that has blossomed since being founded by Lou and Louis Martini as a small business with big ideas. 

My favourite story must be our pioneer Witiyana Marika. What a talent. Proud to know this inspirational cultural leader and to see him nominated for Australian of the Year. Well deserved. 

Enjoy this edition as we roll into 2025.