​I'm a proud Territorian, born way back in the Old Darwin Hospital, yep I'm feeling a little old. I grew up in the Darwin, Palmerston and the Rural Areas. I've had the privilege to see these areas grow in leaps and bounds and watched how things have changed in the community. Sometimes for the better and sometimes not but all in all I am proud of my stomping grounds, where I have originated from.

I'm also a proud owner of a local small business and I can't express my gratitude enough to all the people, businesses (small and large), corporations, organizations, councils, shires and local governments that show their support by hiring me to supply an entertainment service. Without this support I wouldn't be able to grow my business, provide a humble income for my family, and contribute to my community by investing back into other local businesses. I also wouldn't be able to create jobs for other local entertainers without my communities support and I sincerely thank you all for it.
Over the years there's been a lot of businesses in all industries come and go for some reasons or another but the most noticeable trend that's kicked off (since a certain gas boom) is people/visitors coming to our community for work opportunities to better their lives and communities elsewhere. This is something that troubles me because I can see the roll on effect of this trend. Even in my own industry I am seeing the same trend occurring with visitors/travellers who under cut local businesses to gain work. When this continues to happen it takes income from local businesses and families who are bearing the financial weight of permanently residing in the Top End and who actually reinvest into the community. I see visitors/travellers who are not committed to grow the community or create jobs but only to take them from locals, creating hardship, especially on small businesses that rely on the income to survive up here. I've seen businesses fold for this very reason. It's not about lowering rates or prices to be competitive because sometimes you simply can't. With the Top End feeling the tight side of the economy now, this issue has really been brought to light and I can see the effects its having.

​It's important that fellow locals know who they are hiring and show their community & local small businesses support by keeping it local and hiring people who are permanently residing in our community.