Networking opportunity in Karratha

The Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub's Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise Program (SATSIE) proudly supported two delegates to join approximately 300 attendees at the Developing Northern Australia Conference (DNAC) in Karratha. The two delegates were Territa Dick, Chair of the Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance and Mayor of Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, and Dennis Fay, business owner and founder of the Torres Strait Marine Debrief Taskforce. 

Mayor Territa Dick shared her experience:
"Attending the DNAC in Karratha was incredibly beneficial. It provided a valuable opportunity to connect with Ministers, senior government officials, critical stakeholders, and Traditional Owner representatives. Through extensive networking, I have attained important insights into policies and opportunities for my region while also highlighting some of the challenges we face in Cape York."

Dennis Fay, a proud Torres Strait Islander and founder of Salty Monkeys, is a talented entrepreneur committed to environmental preservation and community empowerment. Having attended the 2023 DNAC in Darwin, Dennis took on an expanded role in 2024, contributing as a panelist in the session "Unlocking Success in Northern Australia: Opportunities, Resilience, and Interactive Insights for SMEs."

Additionally, Dennis presented "Monkey Business: Remote Sustainable Solution-Driven," showcasing the success of his apparel business and emphasizing the significant impact of the Torres Strait Marine Debrief Taskforce. His work has brought the community together while addressing the pressing issue of international waste deposited on Torres Strait Island beaches.

Dennis remarked how the conference provided invaluable insights into the larger picture of industries and opportunities across Northern Australia and he had the unique privilege of engaging with key stakeholders, including the Honourable Madeline King, Minister for Northern Australia. During his discussion with Minister King, he was able to share their projects and stories from the Torres Strait, and felt an incredible honour to have had Salty Monkeys mentioned in her keynote address.

"Being part of a panel on small business success also gave me an excellent platform to promote our brand. As a result, I connected with a potential retailer from Western Australia, opening the door to expanding our product reach into a new state. IBA (Indigenous Business Australia) also offered their services and support."

"A highlight of the event was my 20-minute presentation on First Nations Self-Determination, titled Monkey Business: Remote Sustainable Solutions for the Torres Strait. This was a great opportunity to share Salty Monkeys’ journey from passion project to business, with a focus on sustainable solutions for marine debris while building capacity for the Torres Strait community. This presentation also led to interviews with ABC National Radio and Ngaarda Media WA, giving us additional exposure.

I have gained invaluable insights, connections, and exposure, which will greatly benefit Salty Monkeys going forward. I am immensely grateful for the support provided by the SASTIE program, which made this opportunity possible. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us to continue our work toward a sustainable future for the Torres Strait.”

Refer to TCICA or Salty Monkeys for further information.

Image: (top l-r) Kowanyama Mayor Territa Dick, Dr John Coyne, Director Australia Strategic Policy Institute, Salty Monkeys Founder Dennis Fay & Weipa Town Authority Chair Jaime Gane. Credit: J.McHugh