In what seems like the blink of an eye, Indigenous-owned Tiwi Enterprises has become much more than a business – it is now a cornerstone of the island community. 

The not-for-profit company is creating jobs, promoting skills development and, critically, helping support the preservation of a rich and ancient cultural heritage. 

Company board chair Andrew Bush says: “We have evolved into a stable and sustainable organisation, particularly over the past five years. 

“We are really proud of our contribution to employment opportunities through our business units. 

“This has been our first 12 months as a 100 percent Tiwi-owned business. Over the past year, we have listened, learned and laid the foundations to ensure our experiences in Darwin, and soon on the Tiwi Islands, reflect the aspirations of our Tiwi directors and Traditional Owners.” 

Tiwi Enterprises was founded in 2007 by the eight land-owning clans with a powerful mission: to foster economic development and create meaningful job opportunities for the Tiwi. Nobody doubts that it has succeeded. 

There are 14 business units within the company – and each is expected to “stand on its own feet” so that profits can be ploughed back into community projects. 

The flagship division is the multi-award-winning Sea Darwin Sea Tiwi, which was acquired by Tiwi Enterprises in late 2023 and runs harbour cruises, bombing of Darwin tours, and trips to see turtles at Ngulbitjik (Bare Sand Island). 

There are two vessels, one holding 22 passengers and the other 32. 

“It’s a great business,” says Tiwi Enterprises chief executive Scotty Simpson. “We’re using it as a springboard for much broader tourism onto the Tiwi Islands. 

“We are working on launching authentic cultural eco-tourism experiences on the islands that will be on everyone’s bucket list. 

“But we want to progress carefully and make sure Sea Darwin is absolutely right before moving ahead. There’s enormous potential for tourism – the Tiwi Islands might be close to Darwin but they are another exciting world for tourists. 

“We’re looking forward to this dry season, which I think will be very successful for us.” 

And Andrew says: “The tourism development is an amazing opportunity that is fast becoming a reality.” 

Sea Darwin also ferries workers to offshore projects, an arm of the business that promises to grow dramatically over the next few years and offers all-year-round work. 

Tiwi Enterprises has formed a partnership with Charles Darwin University to train Sea Darwin Sea Tiwi workers to qualify as coxswains and master 5 skippers. 

Training for Indigenous staff will be delivered on the islands and schoolchildren will be offered training packages. 

The traditional logo for Sea Darwin – a mangrove tree, turtle and brolga against a rising sun – has been bolstered by the additional iconic paintings of the Kitirika (female green turtle) and (Marntuwunyini) dugong designed by two Tiwi women, Fiona Kulparntuwu Kerinainua and Ancilla Warlapijimawu Kurrupuwu. 

The images are significant not only because they hold important cultural and spiritual significance to the Tiwi people, but also because they play a crucial role in the marine ecosystems of the coastline. 

Under Scotty’s leadership, Tiwi Enterprises has experienced significant growth in employment – from 27 to 71 staff, with 35 of them being Indigenous. 

His strength lies in his ability to bridge the gap between the directors’ aspirations and their realisation. 

Tiwi Enterprises other business units are: 

A thriving six-hectare farm, which grows many vegetables and seasonal fruits, such as melons, pineapples, mangoes, passion fruit and sweet potatoes. 

There are long-term plans to grow avocados and native plums, which have 50 times more vitamin C than oranges. 

“It’s an experiment,” says Scotty. “It will be several years before we get a crop.” 

There are plans to increase the number of chickens from 175 to 500. 

The eight Tiwi farmers have learnt how to incubate the eggs and sort the “good laying” chooks from the not-so-good. 

Up to 80 dozen eggs a week are sold to local stores. 

“The farm is in very good shape,” says Scotty. “Tiwi love working there – it’s a fulfilling job and there’s an important connection to the land.” 

The Milikapiti nursery sells a wide range of native plants for homes and businesses. The catalogue can be found at bit.ly/MiliNurseryCat 

There are two motels, the Mantiyupwi in Nguiu Wurrumiyanga and the Wuliwrankuwu in Milikapiti. 

A hire care business has nine new Toyotas. 

“It’s another very successful business,” says Scotty. “We hire to customers who service the islands, such as government agencies and NDIS support workers.” 

Tiwi Enterprises act as agents for Fly Tiwi, the Hardy Aviation-owned carrier that flies from Darwin to Nguiu and Milikapiti. 

There is an airport shuttle service. 

A maintenance team services many of the buildings on the islands, including the motels, Tiwi Tours and workers’ accommodation that are rented out to contractors from the mainland. 

A cleaning team of eight female Tiwi workers services the motels and several businesses around the islands. 

And a gardening crew of eight male Tiwi workers services about 80 homes and 25 businesses and agencies, including NDIS through Catholic Care. 

Tiwi Enterprises also takes pride in looking after the Calvary aged care home, including daily cleaning and specialised maintenance. 

Funerary services and pukumani ceremonies are provided to all Tiwi Island familiy groups by Tiwi Enterprises. 

A mechanical workshop services a range of vehicles, including the buses that provide a vital connection between Bathurst and Melville islands, plus the Tiwi Enterprises hire cars. 

It employs four Tiwi staff, who receive first-class on-the-job training in administration and as trade assistants. 

“We’re so proud of our Tiwi workshop crew for the dedication and the skills they bring to the table,” says Scotty. “They make a real difference in helping our happy workshop run like a well-oiled machine. 

“All our Tiwi staff are the heartbeat of our services, bringing exceptional care and skill to their tasks. 

“Many have been with us for more than five years. High retention is one of our success stories.” 

CONTACT 

Tiwi Enterprises Ltd 

Bookings – Motels/Hire cars/Airport Transfers – 0488 773 413 

bookings@tiwienterprises.com 

tiwienterprises.com 

Sea Darwin Sea Tiwi 

Bookings Number: 1300 065 022 

Book online at seadarwin.com