Darren Green works at Bardi Ardyaloon Store in One Arm Point, a small community of around 300 people on the Dampier Peninsula, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Originally from the inland community of Looma, Darren enjoyed school. His favourite subjects were science and social science. As well as excellent spoken English, he also speaks Mangala, Nyinka, Walimjarri.

Darren had been working at the store for ten years when Outback Stores started assisting the community in 2018. Soon he saw positive changes at the store, such as a greater variety of products and cheaper prices on household items.

As a registered training organisation (RTO), Outback Stores was also able to offer Darren the opportunity for certified training. He appreciates the opportunity to study while also working full-time at the store. Darren is in the process of completing his Certificate IV in Retail Management, the highest certificate provided by Outback Stores.

Working at the shop gives me a lot of intel into how to run a business.

– Darren Green

Soon the store will include a takeaway kitchen, which Darren is keen to help manage using the skills he has learned during his Retail Management certificate.

One day he intends to run his own takeaway shop and says he will combine all the best practices from the different managers he’s worked with over the years.

“Darren has a patient, happy nature and is willing to help other staff members. His years of experience and knowledge of the store is often helpful when trying to problem-solve and fix store issues,” says Francine Sneath, manager of Bardi Store.

Darren says that that he enjoys “pretty much everything” about his job, but adds that “interacting with the community is what I enjoy most about the work, and helping people.”

In his spare time Darren enjoys fishing, listening to his favourite band ‘Scrap Metal’ and spending time with family. He’s looking forward to seeing his daughter finish her postgraduate studies in Medicine at the University of Western Australia, and hopes his grandchildren enjoy school and go on to find work that interests them.

This story was first published in the Outback Stores Annual Report 2022-23

Outback Stores is currently hiring remote store managers! Click here for more info.

Training Officer Tammy Stephens features in the latest newsletter by the Ngurratjuta/Pmara Aboriginal Corporation, alongside trainee Lornie Multa who was the first to complete her Certificate II in Retail as part of the Ngurratjuta Training Project.

Store manager Dee Micallef has observed the benefits of this certified training.

“Because of the knowledge through this program Lornie is more confident and is an asset to the store. She uses her initiative and is a team member I can depend on,” says Dee.

This project is an initiative of the Ngurratjuta/Pmara Aboriginal Corporation who partnered with Outback Stores to improve Indigenous employment and training outcomes in the remote communities of Papunya, Nyirripi, Haasts Bluff and Mount Liebig.

“I look forward to training Lornie in the future and watching her achieve her goals,” says Tammy.

Lornie has been a pleasure to train. She is dedicated to her job.

– Tammy Stephens