Katherine Market History
I have always had a huge interest in cooking - particularly jams, chutneys, sauces, etc, using my own produce. Since 1980 I have sold a range of products through local shops, newspaper ads, local shows and word of mouth.
In 2005, as part of the Primary Industries Leadership Action Plan, a group of local rural women began meeting and completing some training though PITAC with partial funding from Farmbis - for example on leadership, strategic planning, utilizing networks, media skills and business planning. We also formed a local group of NT Women in Agriculture.
2006 was a very significant year for me. Leave from my position of Assistant Principal at Katherine High School gave me some time to pursue other interests. I set up and ran a packing shed for our own mangoes; I was instrumental in successfully applying to DAFF for a grant under the Food Processing in Rural Areas Program (FPRAP) to set up a commercial kitchen that could be used by anyone who wishes to value add to their produce. The grant also covers training and the development of a Katherine brand to be used for promotion of the region.
During 2007 and 2008 as chairperson, spokesman and treasurer for the (not-for-profit) Katherine Region Food Processing Group (KRFPG), I worked with a committee to successfully set up the commercial kitchen which has a range of equipment allowing value to be added to non-saleable local produce such as mangoes, lemons and grapefruit. To meet the requirements of the grant we had to raise thousands of dollars in the local community. We have done this by creating and selling a range of products.
In March 2008, after being nominated for by our local Member of Parliament, Fay Miller, I won the NT Rural Woman of the Year Award. This involved a grant to implement a project and mine was to set up a permanent, sustainable weekly market in Katherine for sale of local produce/products including Indigenous/non-Indigenous arts and craft. Currently there is no outlet in Katherine dedicated to selling local produce. As well as providing locals with an opportunity to buy locally, it will also provide a reason for tourists to stay an extra day in Katherine which is good for the whole community.
The market is a natural progression from the KRFPG as local surplus produce can be converted into products using the kitchen facilities. These can then be sold at the market. It also gives small growers the opportunity to develop small businesses selling either fresh produce or value-added food products, Everyone in our regional community is invited to take part and you are welcome to make further enquiries.
Norma Higgins
Project Sponsor
Katherine Community Market
July 2008
