Business bulletin: 6 November 2025

CEO and co-founder of Who Gives A Crap, Simon Griffths has wrapped up October Business Month 2025 (OBM).

Last week, attendees in Darwin gathered to learn more about Simon's journey - from sitting on a toilet for 50 hours to help crowdfund his business dream and building a successful company that donates half of its profits to help billions of people in need.

Territory audiences were also inspired by keynote speaker Carolyn Creswell CEO founder of Carmen’s Kitchen. Attendees in Darwin and Alice Springs heard how Carolyn acquired a small muesli business for $1,000 and turned it into Australia’s leading muesli brand.

This year’s keynote events were supported by an impressive line-up of Territory success stories who shared their business journeys, secrets to success and playing to their strengths, the line up included:

Paul Graham from Asbuild, Laura-Jane (LJ) Devlin from Triptic, Crystal Pollitt from Bark n’ Bath, Anneliese Grazioli from Hanky Panky Lounge and Bar Kokomo, Dan Richards from Humpty Doo Barramundi, Vicki-Leigh Lettice from McDonalds NT, Anita Synnott from Natural Territory, Brooke Summers from Studio B Designs and Art by Brooke and Doug McBean from North Horizon Heli Adventures and NT Heli Ops.

This year’s theme, to Play to our Strengths focused on digitalisation, workforce and resilience with events aligned to help businesses:

• embrace AI and smart technologies
• attract and retain talent for long term success
• become agile and respond to changing consumer behaviours and market shifts.

The OBM program of events would not be possible without the generous support of our OBM sponsors, and the valued contribution that this year’s OBM Event Partners have made to deliver another huge month of business events.

Businesses, industry and the wider community are invited to have their say on the development of a whole-of-Territory workforce development strategy.

The Territory faces workforce challenges including remoteness, a small and transient population, and persistent skills shortages across all sectors.

The Workforce Development Strategy will provide a platform for collective action to address these issues and deliver a clear roadmap that strengthens our local workforce and delivers growth.

We are seeking feedback to generate innovative and practical solutions to deliver the workforce needed for the Territory.

5 key areas have been identified more detailed consideration and discussion:

• a skills and training system that provides pathways into jobs,
• reducing barriers to workforce participation,
• better activating the regional and remote workforce,
• workforce attraction and retention, and
• shaping the Territory’s future workforce.

You can provide feedback by going to haveyoursay website or attending one of our public consultation forums.

Regional Consultations will be held in all major centres during November.

• Darwin: Wednesday 12 November, 5.30pm, Hilton Darwin.
• Katherine: Thursday 13 November, 4pm, Knotts Crossing Resort.
• Palmerston: Tuesday 18 November, 5.30pm, Rydges Palmerston.
• Alice Springs: Tuesday 25 November, 5.30pm, DoubleTree by Hilton.
• Tennant Creek: Wednesday 26 November, 5.30pm, Barkly Business Hub.
• Nhulunbuy: Tuesday 2 December, 5.30pm, Walkabout Lodge.

This is an opportunity to engage in genuine consultation and shape the future of the Northern Territory’s workforce development.

Have Your Say is now open and closes on 30 January 2026.

To find out more and register for a session go to the haveyoursay website.

International students who have a passion for living and studying in the Northern Territory are being sought for the Study NT Student Ambassador Program in 2026.

2026 marks the 10^th year of Study NT Student Ambassador Program with around 200 international students participating in the program to date.

As an ambassador, students will promote the Northern Territory as a premier study destination by attending events, participating activities and undertaking professional development opportunities.

The student ambassador program recognises the power-of-word of mouth and has provided a platform for international students share their firsthand experiences studying in the Northern Territory with their peers and networks.

As of June 2025, there are 4,350 international students from over 70 nationalities enrolled to study with the Territory’s quality education and training providers, contributing to the Territory’s multicultural community and its economic growth.

Analysis undertaken by Deloitte shows, in 2023, each student contributed an average of $41,841 to the NT economy.

Attracting increasing numbers of international students to the Territory is a key focus to grow and diversify the economy.

Next year’s program will see Study NT select up to 20 international students studying in higher education, vocational education and training, schools and English language courses in the Northern Territory.

The program is open to international students studying in the Northern Territory who have demonstrated academic achievements, leadership, and excellence in their community.

Applications close Monday 24 November 2025.

For further information and to apply go to the Northern Territory Study NT website.

The Territory’s best businesses and exporters have been celebrated at the 2025 NT Export and Business and Awards.

The film company behind the movie Kangaroo, Brindle Films was named the Chief Ministers Exporter of the Year.

The heartwarming movie was released nationally and internationally in September and showcases Central Australia’s unique and beautiful landscapes to the world. Brindle Films was recognised for its innovative storytelling and renowned reputation for delivering world class content to global audiences.

Now in its 32^nd year, the Chief Minister NT Export Awards celebrate the achievements of Territory businesses exporting home-grown products and services to the world and to also raise the profile of our exporting capabilities.

The 2025 NT Export Award winners were acknowledged for their success on the international stage and the impact they had on the local and national economy, they include:

• Agribusiness, Food and Beverage – Australian Cattle Enterprises
• Creative Industries – Brindle Films
• First Nations - Ikuntji Artists
• International Education and Training – Alana Kaye College
• Regional Exporter – Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage
• Small Business – Cycad International
• Technologies: Spee3D

Winners will now go onto to represent the Northern Territory at the Australian Export Awards in Canberra on 26 November.

The 2025 Northern Territory Business Awards is a unique opportunity to honour the standout contributions of individuals and organisations who have made a significant impact in their local communities, the winners include:

• Outstanding Customer Service for an Individual: Mikaela Bridge
• Outstanding Customer Service – Small Business: Poké Ola
• Outstanding Customer Service – Medium & Large Business: Purple Support
• Outstanding Customer Service – Not for Profit: Council on the Ageing NT (COTA NT)
• Excellence in Business - Small Business: NC Electrical & Air Conditioning
• Excellence in Business - Medium & Large: Coleman’s Ink, More Than Print
• Excellence in Business - Not for Profit: Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation
• Excellence in Business - Corporate Social Responsibility: Darwin Youth Services
• Excellence in Business - Manufacturing & Marine Industries – Small Business: NORSTA North
• Excellence in Business - Manufacturing & Marine Industries – Medium & Large Business: NT Link
• Excellence in Business - Outstanding New Start-Up: Evora Care
• Excellence in Business - Best Community Event or Business Collaboration: The Alice Springs Show
• Excellence in Business - Logistics and Supply Chain: Nighthawk Transport
• Excellence in Business - Business Events and/or Trade Delegations: Alice Springs Convention Centre

The first shipment of magnesite in 30 years left the Darwin port for Japan last week.

A bulk sample of around 15,000 tonnes of high-grade magnesite was extracted from Thessally Resources Pty Ltd’s Huandot Magnesite Project, located 80km south of Darwin port in the NT.

The magnesite ore at Huandot was crushed into lump and fine product sizes and was sent to Japan for process trials. Success of the trial could unlock long-term magnesite offtake agreements and drive the project’s development.

Magnesite is a naturally occurring mineral and, in its raw form, can be used as a fluxing agent material in steel refining.

When processed to magnesia (magnesium oxide), it serves as an essential feedstock for a range of industrial, agricultural, and construction applications, including for furnace linings, as a component in fertilizers and animal feeds, and in construction materials.

The Huandot project achievement positions the project to become one of the few magnesite mines in Australia.

The Northern Territory hold significant mineral potential, essential for modern living and the global advancement in clean energy technologies.

The Northern Territory Government is committed to capitalising on this emerging opportunity to develop the Territory’s valuable resources sector.

Jeff Elliott, Chairman of Thessally Resources said, “securing a major Japanese steel producer for industrial scale process trials is a critical step, and with government and community support we look forward to progressing the development of this strategically important critical minerals project.”

For more information, go to the Eventbrite website.