Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation
  • facebook
  • instagram
Training Portal Team Login Back to main site
Menu
  • One ALPA One Vision
    • Joneesha Gurruwiwi
    • Giving Back
    • Facts and Figures
  • Our Services
    • Retail
      • Health and Nutrition Strategy
      • Our Member Stores
      • Island & Cape
      • Our Consultancy Stores
      • Retail Business Development
      • IT Services
    • Enterprise and Economic Development
      • Bukmak Constructions
      • Manapan Furniture
      • Rulku Enterprises
      • Dinybulu Regional Services
    • Community Services
      • Training With ALPA
      • Community Engagement
      • East Arnhem Land Youth Model
      • RSAS
      • CDP
    • Corporate Services
      • Darwin Support Office
  • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Our History
    • Governance
      • Board Of Directors
      • Executive Team
    • Annual Reports
  • Work With Us
    • Careers
    • Working Remote
    • Testimonials
  • Latest
    • ALPA News
      • Media Releases
      • Latest News
      • Ganyu Newsletters
      • ALPA Airwave
    • Media Gallery
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Our Locations
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Our history
  1. Who We Are
  2. Our History

Our history

ALPA was established in 1972. We began as a co-operative of community stores in seven Arnhemland communities. We operate a successful retail enterprise, with a turnover of approximately $75 million across the Group. We have come a long way since 1972 – from small, counter sales stores in tin sheds, to full self-service, air-conditioned stores offering an extensive range of quality goods in remote communities.

Prior to 1972, the Indigenous people of Arnhem Land (Yolŋu) were under the supervision of the Methodist Overseas Mission Commission (MOM). The community stores were owned and operated by the church.

MOM established the Arnhem Land Civic and Economic Development Council Inc (CEDAR) for Yolŋu economic development, forseeing the possibility that government funding structures would change under the Whitlam government. The Arnhem Land Progress Association Incorporated was formed as an activity of CEDAR.

How ALPA began

Prior to 1972, the Indigenous people of Arnhem Land (Yolŋu) were under the supervision of the Methodist Overseas Mission Commission (MOM). The community stores were owned and operated by the church.MOM established the Arnhem Land Civic and Economic Development Council Inc (CEDAR) for Yolŋu economic development, forseeing the possibility that government funding structures would change under the Whitlam government. The Arnhem Land Progress Association Incorporated was formed as an activity of CEDAR.ALPA’s initial members were seven community stores: Ajurumu (Goulburn Island), Gapuwiyak (Lake Evella), Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island), Milingimbi, Minjilang (Croker Island), Ramingining and Yirrkala. ALPA borrowed almost $1m to upgrade plant and equipment, and the early successful operation of the stores enabled the loan to be repaid within three years. Since that time ALPA has been financially independent.

When the Commonwealth and Westpac Banks withdrew services from communities in the early 1990s, ALPA initiated and largely financed the establishment of the Traditional Credit Union, to provide banking facilities for members in remote communities across the Top End. An intense two-year community education program preceded the establishment.

Training and Development

In the 1970s ALPA began to realise the importance of training and development for its staff, and with support from the Queensland Retail Training Institute began a program of in-house training. The Training School at Galiwin’ku was built to support this.

The construction of the training centre in itself was a training program with Yolŋu trainees doing the bulk of the work. We standardised policies, systems and procedures to benefit Yolŋu staff, who could then to be trained in all store operational duties. We continue to focus on education, training and development as an integral part of our activities.

We also started our Benevolent Programs, using the modest surplus funds generated from store operations to benefit the community. Financial assistance for ceremonies, education, medical escorts and community events can be obtained through these programs.

Published: 11th June, 2019

Updated: 23rd July, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Kath Boyne continues to serve community

    Kath Boyne continues to serve community

    With nearly a decade of experience working across Arnhem Land, Kath has story upon story to tell. Here are a few of her highlight's.

  • Meet Jason Woibo, Mayor of Hope Vale

    Meet Jason Woibo, Mayor of Hope Vale

    Our Island & Cape media team recently caught up with Hope Vale Mayor Jason Woibo who is proud of our organisations' partnership.

  • Dion's Dedication to Community Gives Him a Job Promotion

    Dion's Dedication to Community Gives Him a Job Promotion

    Dion says, he enjoys working with ALPA, as ALPA is one of the biggest employers in his community and we make a big effort for the community every day.

  • Clan leader Peter Gumbung reflects on the Ramingining Bakbidi'di festival

    Clan leader Peter Gumbung reflects on the Ramingining Bakbidi'di festival

    Peter Gumbung and the Dupal band had the opportunity to perform at the recent Bakbidi'di festival. He reflects on the festival in Ramingining and the pathways the event creates.

Related

  • ALPA Values and Mission Statement

    ALPA Values and Mission Statement

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    ALPA was established in 1972 as a small cooperative of community retail stores purchased from the Methodist church in Arnhem Land. Today, we have grown to operate 27 retail stores across the Northern Territory and Queensland and provide much more than just retail services including community service delivery and successful business operations through Enterprise and Economic Development. Proud to be named the largest Aboriginal Corporation by ORIC, we employ more than 1100 team members nationa

  • What we do

    What we do

    ALPA is an Aboriginal not-for-profit Corporation that leads independent businesses in Remote Retailing, Community Service Program Delivery, Enterprise and Economic Development and Corporate Services.

Most read

  • Careers

    Careers

    Check out our latest job vacancies and see how you can make a difference everyday.

  • Contact Us

    Contact Us

  • What we do

    What we do

    ALPA is an Aboriginal not-for-profit Corporation that leads independent businesses in Remote Retailing, Community Service Program Delivery, Enterprise and Economic Development and Corporate Services.

  • Our  ALPA Member Stores

    Our ALPA Member Stores

    Our Member Stores are 100% owned and operated by ALPA and create surplus to be reinvested back into our communities.

  • Community Development Program

    Community Development Program

    The Community Development Program is a remote employment and community development program. CDP supports job seekers in remote Australian communities to build work‐like skills, address employment barriers and contribute to their communities through a range of high quality activities.

  • Operational Footprint

    Our Operational footprint cover 1.2 million square kilometres.

  • Working Remote

    Working Remote

    ALPA operates in some of Australia's remotest locations and we pay our respects to the traditional owners past, present, and emerging for the lands we operate on.

  • Our history

    Our history

    We have come a long way since 1972 – from small, counter sales stores in tin sheds, to full self-service, air-conditioned stores offering an extensive range of quality goods in remote communities.

  • Health and Nutrition Strategy

    Health and Nutrition Strategy

    Health and Nutrition is a priority for our ALPA member and consultancy stores. We extend our Health and Nutrition Policy to all of our stores.

  • Annual Reports

Tag cloud

Alpa Arnhemland David Dr Djiniyini Jacky Jason Jessie Keith Lily Mandy Micky Ramingining Remote Retailers Rose The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation Yolngu

Subscribe to our online newsletter

* indicates required

Helpful links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Tax Deductible Gift Recipient

ABN: 52 755 439 387
ICN: 7137
Copyright ALPA The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

ALPA Support Office
70 O’Sullivan Circuit
East Arm NT 0822
GPO Box 3825
Darwin NT 0801

Phone: +61 (08) 8944 6444
Fax: (08) 8944 6400

Manage Cookie Preferences