Our Impact
At Impact North, we proudly showcase the inspiring stories of social entrepreneurs across the Northern Territory and their impact. Our 2023–24 Impact Report highlights the remarkable achievements and positive changes these local entrepreneurs are driving throughout their communities.
What we've achieved in 2 years
Impact North acknowledges our work and connection with many different mobs across Australia. We recognise and honour the business knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have carried forward through generations. We pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands, celebrating their enduring connection to Country spanning over 65,000 years, where these stories of impact unfold. We are deeply grateful for their continued generosity in sharing knowledge and Culture as we collaborate to create positive change.
Our Latest Reports
Discover inspiring stories of Indigenous enterprise and social innovation from across Northern Australia.
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Let's create positive change together.
Connect with us and help shape the Northern Australian story.
Tiwi Islands
Meet Tammy Abala and Shane Tipuamantamerri | Mamanta
Mamanta is an Indigenous-led business on the Tiwi Islands and Top End regions. Founded by Tammy Abala and Shane Tipuamantamerri, Mamanta bridges traditional Tiwi culture with modern business practices through Immersive Camp experiences, Contemporary Cross Cultural Professional Development (PD) workshops and innovative consulting services. Their approach not only helps to preserve Tiwi culture but also creates opportunities for local participation, workforce development and community engagement. Mamanta shared that they joined our Incubation Program at just the right time "early on in our business journey we were finding things hard. The business incubation program gave us the encouragement, tools and connections we needed to continue pursuing our goals". Among many types of support on the program, Mamanta was connected with Together Business Australia to help them find a way to develop a financial model that was sustainable, and focused on their impact.
Together Business, an Indigenous accounting firm based in Darwin now continuing to provide accounting support for Mamanta. The team reflected how empowering it was to find an accountant who understands their context and what they're trying to achieve "Rather than telling us something is not possible, we know that our accountant now will work with us in understanding the differences in our business and communities and help find solutions."
Mamanta has been driven from its founding to share knowledge with others and bring them on the journey. "It's natural for us to want to share our learnings with others, we are always thinking about how we can hold doors open for others."
Together, they are creating a new 'Empowered by Association Program' that leads people from local communities to wellbeing opportunities, building confidence, skills and work experience. This program has now been funded through a connection supported by Impact North, ensuring that Mamanta has the funds to develop the concept and prove its viability over three years.
Throughout our time supporting Tammy and Shane, we have seen an unwavering commitment to purpose and showing others how to walk this path. "While we are proud of the Mamanta journey so far and appreciate the networks and relationships that support us, it's important that we keep aligned with the values and needs of our communities, continue to develop our strengths and ideas and be the positive impact we want for our communities".
Gapuwiyak
Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Aboriginal Corporation
Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts is a Yolŋu-owned remote art centre in East Arnhem Land. It supports over 100 artists from Gapuwiyak and surrounding homelands. Gapuwiyak is a small town in the middle of Miyarrka, a region around Arnhem Bay. There are many clans in this region, each with their own interconnected estates, songs, patterns and designs.
Since 2009, Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts has been creating economic opportunities for local artists.
The arts centre assists artists to collect and prepare materials, make high-quality art, explore ideas, develop knowledge and skills, exhibit, market and sell their work.
It runs tourism and cultural programs and is a great meeting place for community members and tourists alike—a spot to enjoy a coffee and learn more about Yolŋu culture and art.
Impact North supported the Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts through our Business Builder program, working with arts centre manager Trevor van Weeran and artist/arts centre worker Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr on a strategy for the next exciting phase of the business.
Meet Brendan Wunungmurra
Brendan is building a locally led phone repair and accessories business, responding to community demand for chargers, phone covers and screen protectors. Through SiB and follow-up support, he has strengthened his skills in record keeping, tax invoicing, stock purchasing and saving to reinvest. As of June 2026, he was selling products independently and using Square for card payments into his business account. Confident repairing iPhones, he hopes to expand his skills to Samsung and OPPO phones, with his wife supporting the administration side of the business.
Meet Dion Dhanyinbuy Wunungmurra
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Dion is developing a cultural performance business that shares Yolŋu songs, dance and knowledge through school visits, festivals and cultural events. Guided by Elders and cultural leaders, his vision is to create income for performers and opportunities for younger generations to learn and carry culture forward.
Meet Malakai Wunungmurra
Malakai is developing a healthy food business offering fresh meals, delivery and catering that bring together local ingredients and Yolŋu food knowledge. His vision is to make nutritious meals more accessible and affordable, with opportunities to grow a team and create local jobs as the business develops.
Meet Jessica Gurruwiwi
Jessica is strengthening the business systems behind Brendan’s Phone Repair, developing skills in administration, invoicing and customer engagement. Her move into early validation supports a locally led phone repair service and its day-to-day customer operations.
Minyerri
Gulbarn Tea
Gulbarn founder Samara Billy launched the Gulbarn tea business in 2015 with a stall at Barunga Festival. Samara lived in Minyerri all of her life and was passionate about creating opportunities for the young people in Minyerri including her three daughters: Jayzena, Ashlene and Letty. Gulbarn was always a family operation, with Samara supported by a big team of family members who assisted with a variety of tasks including harvesting, operations and marketing. For several years, Gulbarn went from strength-to-strength with stockists around the country. Gulbarn was also served at top restaurants including Attica, Fleet, Navi and Poly.
Samara and her ancestors sustainably managed and harvested this ancient medicinal plant since time immemorial. The community led local biodiversity conservation efforts, ensuring Gulbarn was collected (it was still picked by hand) and protected in line with cultural values and traditional ecological knowledge. Gulbarn had an unmistakably Australian aroma, and a subtle flavour with notes of sweet citrus, tea tree and eucalyptus. High in antioxidants, caffeine-free and a rich source of calcium, magnesium and potassium, it could be enjoyed hot or cold.
Darwin
Meet Tikesa Hale | xHalevents
Tikesa Hale's experience with Impact North shows how the program grows a sense of value and self-worth in Indigenous entrepreneurs. From her initial encounter with an Impact North team member at a Black Coffee event, Tikesa saw Impact North as a pathway to develop her ideas and build the confidence necessary for business success. Through Impact North's personalised support, Tikesa went from being unsure about running a business independently to setting clear goals and planning for the future.
Impact North's tailored approach allowed Tikesa to process information at her own pace, leading to increased confidence in business planning and execution.
The impact of Impact North on Tikesa's journey is evident in her achievements. Not only has she graduated from the Incubation program, but she has also been nominated for a new Funding Network cohort showcasing remote and rural entrepreneurs. As an alumna of the program, Tikesa is excited about the opportunity to work with future business owners and Incubation Program participants. She shares, "The program not only fosters you during the planning stages and provides you with network opportunities but allows me to share my journey and inspire others which is something special. That's what blak businesses are all about.”
Meet Sylvia Nulpinditj | Cultural Consultant
Sylvia Nulpinditj, a First Nations entrepreneur and proud Impact North alumna, has transformed her business through the program's support. Through culturally-aware mentorship, Impact North helped Sylvia recognise her true value, enabling her to price her services appropriately and create new business opportunities, directly leading to increased revenue through roles such as co-facilitating community events for Impact North.
Meet One Percent Program
Darwin-based social enterprise established in 2023, delivering culturally appropriate mental health, wellbeing, and domestic violence awareness programs. Founded by Jahdai Vigona and Dante Rodrigues, both proud Tiwi men, supporting Indigenous youth and men.
Meet Bill Feeney
Bill Feeney is the founder of Eco Mob, an innovative Top End waste-management business focused on sustainable solutions, including food-waste processing and the use of technologies like pyrolysis to turn waste into valuable resources. Through Business Builder, Bill progressed through the incubation journey and into alumni, strengthening Eco Mob’s positioning and partnership readiness as the business continues to build momentum and environmental impact in the Territory.
Aboriginal Community Harvest
Native foods and catering business based on Larrakia Country. Focuses on seasonal harvesting, wholesale native foods, catering with native ingredients, cultural storytelling, Indigenous harvesting crews, and future remote community micro-business hubs.
Country Home Arts and Weaving
Delivers culturally safe therapeutic weaving and art workshops across the NT for schools, aged-care facilities, community organisations and corporate clients. The business supports cultural connection, wellbeing, and employment for young Aboriginal women as workshop assistants.
Meet Ceah Evans | Workforce development and training business providing job seeker support, recruitment and labour hire, cultural competency training, professional development, and non-accredited courses. The business aims to support Indigenous job seekers in culturally safe ways while helping organisations improve cultural capability.
Workforce development and training business providing job seeker support, recruitment and labour hire, cultural competency training, professional development, and non-accredited courses. The business aims to support Indigenous job seekers in culturally safe ways while helping organisations improve cultural capability.
Jabiru
Meet Ben Tyler | Kakadu Kitchen
Ben's entrepreneurial journey was supported by various programmes and connections, including Impact North.
"I felt really lucky to stay involved and watch its growth, participating in and attending Impact North's events and community engagement over the years."
"Getting to meet other First Nations businesses really gives you the confidence that you too can succeed as a First Nations business."
His vision extends beyond personal success; he aims to shape the bush food industry as Indigenous-owned and led, stating, "it's all part of the bigger picture.”
Humpty Doo
Meet Michelle On | Kiril Park Wild Harvest
Michelle On is a Djerait woman, living in rural Darwin attaining her dream of “living the life,” connecting work with culture and passions, all the while, accomplishing it On-Country.
Michelle's experience at the Impact North Leadership Camp was transformative, particularly through her interaction with Bianca Stawiarski, the event facilitator. Bianca's guidance helped Michelle unlock a newfound confidence in herself and her abilities.
This experience pushed Michelle to join Impact North's Incubation Program, from which she proudly graduated, transitioning into the role of Impact North Alumni. The connection with Bianca opened up numerous opportunities that have assisted in Michelle's personal and professional growth. Bianca's role as a mentor and role model was pivotal in shaping Michelle's journey. Through Bianca's guidance at the Impact North Leadership camp, Michelle realised that her preconceived notions about consulting were limited, and there were numerous ways to offer support and information.
This realisation empowered Michelle to recognise her own potential, thinking, "I could do this, I have a number of different things to offer." Even though Michelle is still in the early stages of her consultancy, Bianca's influence continues to inspire her as she expands her horizons and learns along the way.
Galiwin'ku
Meet Galiwin'ku Women's Space
Galiwin'ku Women's Space (GWS) graduated from our Incubation Program in 2024. This remarkable organisation, deeply rooted in the local community, has been tirelessly working to address domestic violence through a unique approach that combines Yolŋu and Balanda (non-Indigenous) laws. "Our journey began years ago, when Impact North, then seeded some money for GWS to do a study tour of other shelters in the NT which really supported GWS to come up with a concept design for a shelter and a service delivery model. This seed was monumental to the beginning of the GWS SAFE HOUSE.
"Their commitment to cultural sensitivity and holistic solutions demonstrates the power of grassroots initiatives in tackling complex social issues. GWS is pioneering a culturally appropriate model that could potentially be replicated in other Indigenous communities across Australia. "The Galiwinku Women's Space is more than just a place, it's a symbol of what can be achieved when we come together with shared purpose. Through your support, we have been to create opportunities for economic independence, cultural preservation, and community resilience. Impact North has helped us turn ideas into action and have provided us with the platform to make a lasting impact on our community."
During our Incubation Program, Galiwin'ku Women's Space received support to explore different fundraising opportunities and understand the viability of new business ideas. We worked together to clarify GWS' funding sustainability and identify opportunities that matched the team's interests and capacity. We engaged fundraising specialists, connected them with philanthropists in our network, and supported the team to learn about what it would take to pursue new business ideas.
"Through the business incubation program, you have given us tools, skills and confidence to grow not just as entrepreneurs but as leaders and community builders. Your support has gone far beyond the technical knowledge, and it has empowered us to become stronger, not just as individuals but as a collective force for positive change.
Years later, Impact North has given us a space for an office, through collaborative efforts. And this place has become a safe space for us to be inspired, share information with other businesses and find support and solutions.”
Meet Joan Malku Dhamarrandji
Joan is developing Joan’s Community Bus, with a vision of safe, reliable and affordable transport for people in Galiwin’ku. Through SiB, she strengthened her planning skills and business knowledge, finding motivation in learning alongside other local entrepreneurs. As of May 2026, she had obtained a car for the business — an important step towards her transport plans. The service was not yet operating consistently, and her next focus is to clarify support for the business and continue developing pricing and practical action steps at a pace that works for her.
Meet Matthew Gayngadangbuy Gandangu
Matthew is developing a fisheries business and community freezer service to improve access to fresh fish and food storage. Through SiB and follow-up support, he refined a high-cost infrastructure plan into a more practical mobile-container option, progressed sole trader setup, opened a business bank account and began early market testing.
Meet Barbara Raŋgarr
Barbara is planning a family-led nursery supplying flowers, fruit trees and food-growing plants. Her vision is to help households grow their own fresh food, support healthier eating and create income and future opportunities for family members through a community-focused gardening business.
Meet Rhoda Golung Dhurrkay
Rhoda Golung Dhurrkay brings many years of language-work experience to her translation and interpretation consultancy in Galiwin’ku. Through written translation, face-to-face interpretation and pronunciation support, she helps bridge communication between Yolŋu Matha and English so people can access important information in their own language.
Rhoda has delivered work for Impact North, including Stepping Into Business workbook translation and interpretation support. Through the program and follow-up mentoring, she has strengthened her confidence in business decisions and developed practical skills in tax invoicing and customer engagement. She is continuing to build her customer base, with a longer-term vision of a team of language workers supporting one another.
Meet Susan Duwalatji
Susan Duwalatji is working towards restarting Ganbaya Services, a lawn mowing and rubbish removal business she established in 2019 with support from ALPA. Her plan is to provide practical yard maintenance for local homes and businesses in Galiwin’ku, with Susan managing administration and her son Quentin operating the lawn mowing equipment.
Through Stepping Into Business, Susan has developed a plan for bringing the business back into operation. Her next steps include securing equipment and reliable transport, reactivating her business registration and arranging insurance. Starting with weekend services, her vision is to build a family-led enterprise that meets local needs and creates opportunities for her family.
Yirrkala
Meet Yirralka Miyalk Bush Products
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In Northeast Arnhem Land, Yirralka Miyalk Bush Products crafts handmade bush products on Yolŋu Country. Part of the Laynhapuy Aboriginal Homelands Corporation, the enterprise offers products including Gaḏayka soap and bush rubs, bringing Yolŋu plant knowledge into a range customers can discover and purchase online.
The business sits within the wider Yirralka Rangers program, which provides environmental management across 30 homeland communities in the Laynhapuy Indigenous Protected Area. Its decentralised approach enables Yolŋu people to live and work on their ancestral homelands, keeping Country at the centre of their work.
A Business Builder alumnus, Yirralka Miyalk demonstrates how enterprise can grow from cultural knowledge and connection to place—sharing products from Northeast Arnhem Land while remaining grounded in the homelands where they are made.
Meet Gilbert Marawili
Gilbert is developing a fishing business in Blue Mud Bay, with plans to supply fish, mud crab, prawns and other seafood. His vision is to live and work on his homeland with family, share fishing knowledge with young people and build employment opportunities through locally led enterprise. He has also taken up a post-graduation introduction to a regional contact.
Nhulunbuy
Meet Michael and Luke Maymuru | DHAPIRRK Security
DHAPIRRK Security is a locally-run service dedicated to the safety and protection of their community. Michael and Luke Maymuru, who joined our Pipeline Development Program to refine their business skills, shared their experience:
"When we actually sat down and had those conversations, the government sort of picture of you guys wasn't there anymore. It felt like a grassroots approach." - Luke Maymuru
They emphasised the value of Impact North's support in understanding various aspects of business, from procurement processes to funding. Their advice to future participants:
"Use your eyes and ears, listen carefully; Impact North happened to be a service that was very useful in gaining knowledge.”
Meet Nathan Djerrkura | Buymarr Getaways
Experience the power of Indigenous entrepreneurship with Nathan Djerrkura of Buymarr Getaways. As a community leader in East Arnhem Land, Nathan has been instrumental in fostering connection and knowledge-sharing through his homeland business. His support has been crucial for Impact North's events, including hosting Gathanmi - a transformative gathering that brought together Indigenous entrepreneurs for cultural exchange and business networking.
The unique setting of Buymarr Homeland provides an authentic space where traditional knowledge meets modern business practices, creating meaningful opportunities for learning and growth in the Indigenous business community.
Meet Jess de Tenon | The Body B.A.S.I.C.S
Jess de Tenon (The Body B.A.S.I.C.S) is a Business Builder alumni entrepreneur working in the health sector, with a focus on culturally safe education that supports community members to strengthen physical health and sexual wellbeing. With over 13 years’ experience as a registered nurse and further qualifications across child and family health, sexual health and sex therapy, Jess has used Business Builder to shape a clear vision for Body B.A.S.I.C.S and continue building confidence and practical tools to bring this work to community.
Tennant Creek
Meet Paul Wickam | Workforce NT
Paul Wickham, a Wombaya man from the Barkly region, saw a critical lack of opportunities for young people in his homeland. This inspired him to found Workforce NT, a 100% Indigenous owned-and-operated labour hire company serving the mining and civil construction industries. The impact was immediate.
Within 12 months of launching, Workforce NT created jobs for 28 Indigenous men in mining and civil construction, including his own son. This success demonstrated the company's dedication to building meaningful local employment pathways. "Growing up in the Barkly region, I've never seen an Indigenous labour hire business. I'm creating employment for these guys to stay on their Country."
Through Workforce NT, Paul shows how individual success can create lasting positive change for an entire community—transforming personal achievement into collective empowerment.
Meet Cyril Franey | CYFR DESIGN
CYFR DESIGN is a Tennant Creek–based creative business founded by Cyril Franey, specialising in graphic art and design that blends Indigenous art with graffiti and street-culture influences. As a Business Builder alumni, Cyril’s work is also grounded in creating pathways for young people—sharing skills, collaborating with emerging Indigenous artists, and building opportunities through branding, websites and merchandise production.
Meet Linda Turner | Ltrish Consultancy
Indigenous-owned cultural education business founded in Tennant Creek in 2017. Led by Linda Turner and partner Trish, delivers cultural awareness workshops, guided tours, and bush medicine programs, creating local Indigenous employment opportunities.
Meet Angela Sammons | Sammons Contracting
Angela Sammons (Sammons Contracting) is a Business Builder Alumni who, alongside David Sammons, is building an Indigenous-owned civil contracting business in the Barkly with a strong community-driven vision: creating meaningful local employment, supporting pathways for young people, and keeping culture and connection to Country at the centre of their work. Through Business Builder, Angela has strengthened practical business foundations—especially around systems like digital financial management—while continuing to grow the contracting side (e.g., road grading and maintenance) alongside longer-term goals in community development and youth-focused programs.
Meet Valda Shannon | Lukarrara Consultancy
Offers language interpretation and translation, cultural mentoring, and workplace cultural safety advice. Valda brings more than 14 years’ experience as a Warumungu language practitioner, with a focus on preserving endangered language knowledge and building culturally safe workplaces.
Meet Jacqueline Hingston | Warumungu Country Tours / Namikili Aboriginal Cultural Tours
Traditional Owner-led cultural tourism business in the Tennant Creek/Barkly region. Jacquie delivers tours on Country at Midimilra, sharing history and culture from a First Nations perspective, with future plans for Homelands accommodation, a bush tucker farm, and local guide employment pathways.