Overview
Mulyung Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) is located in Nganambala, also known as Emu Point. It is a homeland located 80 kilometres southwest of Daly River and 30 kilometres east of Peppimenarti in the West Daly region. With a population of approximately 70-80 people, much of the 11km road leading into the outstation is a dirt track across low-lying, flood-prone country.
In early 2022 Mulyung Aboriginal Corporation entered a Local Decision Making (LDM) agreement with NT Government to support MAC's aspiration for self-determination.
What was the challenge
Through the LDM agreement the Mulyung Aboriginal Corporation identified strategic priorities for its workforce and community. This included building organisational capacity, increase business planning and development and building community capacity.
Two major opportunities were identified, they include:
- Business investment into their local store through industry funding offered by Aboriginal Investment NT (previously NT Aboriginal Investment Corporation)
- Workforce training opportunities for community members to upskill and explore career opportunities through an ongoing funding agreement between NT Government and Charles Darwin University.
The corporation needed a solution that would benefit the community as a whole and individual community members. They needed strategic investment to be relevant to their needs and resources available to make long term impact.
How the challenge was addressed
In 2023, Mulyung Aboriginal Corporation worked with the NT Government to access a grant through the Aboriginal Business Development Program to support the development of a comprehensive business plan and financial modelling on business operations. They were supported by a Small Business Champion during this process.
Following the success of this program engagement, the corporation applied for funding to purchase the local store and engage a general manager through Aboriginal Investment NT. The Small Business Champions also supported them as they liaised with various corporations to ensure the right strategy and successful implementation.
Further, an opportunity was identified between the NT Government and Charles Darwin University (CDU) to deliver a culinary skills course in the commercial kitchen of their Childcare facility at Emu Point.
Ten community members took part of this opportunity, enjoying the chance to explore cookery as a career, learn different cooking techniques and how to work safely in a workplace kitchen environment.
The course was led by CDU’s Culinary Arts Lecturer, Yakob Abraham whose teaching was well received. The community has booked another course in 2025.
Outcome
The Small Business Champion team continue to work with Mulyung Aboriginal Corporation to create investment and training pathways for community members, including those that want to pursue careers in the food industry.
Opportunity
Reach out to a Small Business Champion or Workforce Development Officer, to discuss your workforce training challenges.
SBC’s and WDO’s are based at the Territory Business Centre with offices located in the Top End, East Arnhem, Big Rivers, Barkly and Central Australia. They are well placed to assist in creating opportunities to find available solutions and access government programs to fund them.
The Industry Development Officers are also available to help identify and support larger scale community investment opportunities.