“The Milikapiti Egg Business creates meaningful local employment opportunities.”

Community member Thomasina Assan and Senior Community Development Officer Jacki Ardiri after collecting fresh eggs at Milikapiti Farm.

What started with just 20 chickens is growing into something much bigger for the Tiwi Islands.

Milikapiti Eggs, an Aboriginal-owned and operated business, is supplying fresh, locally produced free-range eggs to the local community while creating jobs, building skills and strengthening food security.

Today, the farm is home to around 140 laying hens, with even bigger plans on the horizon.

Farm Manager Craig says the enterprise is about much more than producing eggs.

"The farm currently supplies the local community with fresh, affordable free-range eggs throughout the year. The business has grown from an initial flock of just 20 chickens to approximately 140 laying hens, demonstrating the potential for the enterprise to grow and become a sustainable source of local food and employment."

The business provides training and employment opportunities for local people through the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation program, helping build a sustainable community enterprise that benefits the whole community.

Looking ahead, Craig and the team have their sights set on growing the flock to 1,000 hens.

"This expansion will increase the farm's capacity to supply fresh, locally produced free-range eggs to the three communities across the Tiwi Islands, reducing reliance on eggs transported from interstate and improving the availability of fresh local produce."

As the business grows, so too do the opportunities for local employment, training and future enterprise development. What this looks like is income for families, skills that sustain livelihoods, children who have more secure access to locally cultivated food sources – the exact meaning of a stronger healthier life!

"The growth of the egg business may also create opportunities to develop complementary products and enterprises, using the increased production and infrastructure as a foundation for further diversification."

Sharing knowledge and learning together

To support the next stage of growth, Community First Development volunteers and poultry specialists Associate Professor Wendy Muir and Doctor Jose Quinteros from the University of Sydney recently travelled to Milikapiti to work alongside the farm team.

Over several days, they shared technical expertise and practical advice on flock management, animal health and feed efficiency, while learning firsthand about life, business and community on the Tiwi Islands.

Steven Stassi and volunteer Dr Jose Quinteros visiting Tiwi homelands during their time in Milikapiti

For Community First Development Senior Community Development Officer Jacki, the team's commitment to learning stood out. She also travelled to Milikapiti with the volunteers and shared:

"One of the team's greatest strengths is their commitment to learning, adapting and working together.

"By collaborating with Jose and Wendy, the team has embraced new ways to care for the chickens, improve productivity and explore practical solutions to reduce costs while increasing egg production."

Jacki says community-led enterprises like Milikapiti Eggs show what's possible when local people drive their own vision for the future.

"Supporting community-led businesses like Milikapiti Eggs is important because they are driven by self-determination and create lasting benefits for the community."

"The team is working to build a business that strengthens local food security, creates employment opportunities and provides access to high-quality, nutritious food for community members and beyond."

A two-way learning experience

While Wendy and Jose brought specialist poultry knowledge to the project, both say they learned just as much from the people they worked alongside.

Associate Professor Wendy was inspired by the team's enthusiasm, pride and ambition.

"Craig's vision for the business was very impressive, especially his enthusiasm for diversity of products and plans for market expansion to other communities on the Tiwi Islands and possibly beyond."

"The team at Milikapiti Farm work together, they are proud of their products, and they are interested and enthusiastic to understand and engage with modifications to the egg operation."

Beyond the technical work, Wendy says the experience reinforced the value of volunteering.

"I learned about the great reward that comes from volunteering. This experience was insightful in seeing how this type of volunteering contributes to local Indigenous communities, and there is great satisfaction in being even a small part of that contribution."

"I was most grateful for the welcome, fun attitude and hospitality of everyone involved, and their enthusiasm to learn more about poultry."

For Jose, the visit was equally memorable.

“After more than 14 years living in Australia (I'm of Chilean origin), I finally got the chance to know and live in an Aboriginal Community, which has been a very rich and life-changing experience.”

"It is amazing how many things are developed and done by this community, including artwork, tourism, and livestock and crop production."

The experience strengthened his commitment to supporting the business into the future.

"The experience also showed me there is so much that institutions like the University of Sydney can contribute, and now I feel personally committed to putting my skills and knowledge into making their chicken business thrive."

Jose was also impressed by the passion and dedication of the Milikapiti Eggs team.

"I was impressed by the level of involvement and commitment observed in the farm's team, particularly of the manager, Craig Bate. They were genuinely involved not just for the profitability of the business, but also for their hens' wellbeing."

During our planning and work meetings, all members of the team showed curiosity and interest, contributing actively to the conversations and giving their own ideas. They were also very keen learners and demonstrated rapid acquisition of scientific concepts and skills."

For Jacki, the visit highlighted the power of partnerships built on trust, respect and shared learning.

Our SCDOs build strong relationships with communities, supporting them to achieve their dreams and connecting them with volunteers who bring the skills they need. Jacki and her fellow SCDOs play a vital role in nurturing these partnerships to bring community-led solutions to life.

"It has been so good to see the sharing of knowledge, with two-way learning a big part of the volunteer visit."

"Seeing the team come together to overcome challenges highlights the power of community, proving that when mob work together, great things can be achieved."

Building for the future

As the business continues to grow, the benefits extend well beyond egg production.

Craig believes Milikapiti Eggs can become a strong example of what community-led enterprise can achieve.

Steven Stassi feeding the chickens on the farm.

"The business can contribute to long-term community wealth by creating local employment, developing skills and retaining economic activity within the Tiwi Islands."

"Most importantly, the growth of the business creates real, sustainable employment opportunities for local Tiwi people while building a productive enterprise that can continue to benefit the community into the future."

A heartfelt thank you

Jacki thanked the many people who have supported the project.

"I would love to thank Craig and the team at Milikapiti Eggs for inviting Community First Development to be a part of such a spectacular project. I'd also like to thank the University of Sydney for supporting Associate Professor Wendy Muir and Dr Jose Quinteros to work with us, for their dedication to the project and for how well they adapted to an environment so far outside of what they normally deal with in mass production."

Jose also reflected on the friendships built during his time in Milikapiti.

"Thank you very much to Community First Development, and particularly to Jacki, for the opportunity to get involved in this amazing project. I also want to thank Craig and Consolatta for their amazing hospitality and their honest friendship. I'm truly looking forward to seeing you all very soon."