XTRA MILE TRANSPORT – SET TO LAUNCH
Robert celebrating the new logo with his wife Lisa and son Tyrell.
Xtra Mile’s first bus!
Xtra Mile Transport is an up-and-coming business created by Warlpiri man Robert, designed to provide community members in Yuendumu, Northern Territory, with important and easily accessible transport.
Community First Development has been working with Robert on three projects since 2019 including developing a business plan, registering his business as a company, funding and auspice arrangements, and logo and brand development.
As Robert reflected, “I waited 7 years, just talking and thinking about the business, but then I was introduced to you mob, ICV [Community First Development], and that’s when things started to go, started to happen. I wouldn’t have done this without you mob you know, I’m grateful.”
Robert knows firsthand of the challenges the Yuendumu community face and has seen the need for a Warlpiri owned transport company for years.
He intends the business to provide regular transport to/from Alice Springs, a 330kms distance from Yuendumu, charter buses for community events, NDIS patient transport, and ultimately vehicle recovery.
His most recent project with Community First Development, logo and brand development, was a highly collaborative process involving many yarning sessions, sketches, and the development of multiple logo options. Robert, his family, and the community are very happy with the outcome. It tells a story that all community members can connect with.
“People are so happy about it! I have to explain what the logo is all about, and everyone remembers the story of walking from waterhole to waterhole with our parents. A lot of us have those memories, and the logo helps to bring back the memories as we grew up walking as our main transport. It really tells a story, and it reminds every one of us about our families, and the old ways,” Robert, Xtra Mile Transport.
Robert’s individual case demonstrates the power of partnerships and pure determination to better his community. His desire to start his own business stems from a desire to show young people what self-determination and leadership look like at a grass-roots level.
With the support of Community First Development, and other stakeholders, Robert has achieved some great successes including securing funding for Xtra Mile’s start-up costs, purchasing his first bus, and developing a suitable logo and brand that could be printed on buses, timetables, and uniforms.
Robert is seen as a leader by many in his community. He is a youth worker, an educator, a mediator, a pastor for the local church, a board member for many local organisations, a father and grandfather.
Xtra Mile Transport now have two drivers who are qualified to work on a commercial passenger service and are finalising negotiations for a bus service licence.
Read the full case study here.