After working in the mainstream corporate world of service stations, Craig and Damon felt the need for a change and a chance to give back.

After researching companies with a difference, they settled on ALPA, packed their beloved dogs, hitched their boat, and headed west to the NT. Ramingining was to be their first community supermarket and although a far cry from the East Coast, loved the Yolnu people, the fabulous scenery, and most of all becoming involved in community events and celebrations.

A highlight is the 3-hour festive celebration for Christmas with feasting, DJ Disco lights, Santa, basketball and culminating in a ‘Social Treasure Hunt’ which is still being talked about! 

These festivities truly showed the 'One ALPA, One Vision' with CDP and the store team all becoming included to create a truly inclusive event. So popular was the DJ and basketball it continued, three times a week and developed to include a BBQ at almost every sporting event.

Although the plan was to stay out bush for 5-years, career progression called with Craig moving into an Operations Management role and Damon managing the IT.  They have managed to visit nearly every community store in ALPA and Island Cape, creating a work family and living some amazing life experiences along their 8-year journey.

Having worked in remote communities and the support office, both Damon and Craig are more than happy to share a small glass of Chardonnay, sit around a fire, and have a yarn about their incredible retail career from the corporate world to giving back with ALPA.