Territory Connect

27/07/2026

Talk about a revealing day!

Day 1 - Standley Chasm to reveal saddle

Big thanks to the Locals for the delicious coffee and breakfast plus the Bakery for some delicious snacks! We headed off to Standley Chasm for a great day of walking, slowing the pace, yarning and sharing stories.

Day 1 of the Joyful Souls Leadership on Larapinta Walk is all about slowing down our minds, finding our pace and connecting to Country, ourselves and each other.

Thank you to our amazing sponsors Joyful Souls Discovery Parks & Resorts Alice Springs Claritynt Central Desert Regional Council and for the ongoing support CentralianToday - Thank you!

26/07/2026

Meet the Walkers: Donna and Kristy

Donna Digby is the founder of Territory Connect and the driving force behind Leadership on Larapinta. After completing the Australian Rural Leadership Program herself, Donna saw firsthand the impact the program can have. She created the walk as a way to help more Northern Territorians access the same life-changing leadership opportunity.

Joining Donna from Darwin is Kristy, a naturopath, herbalist and owner of Everlasting Health. With a lifelong love of camping, travel and the outdoors, taking on 100 kilometres of the Larapinta Trail is a challenge close to her heart.

She met Donna through the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award journey and was inspired by Donna’s commitment to strengthening leadership across the Northern Territory.

Together, they’re walking to raise funds for another Northern Territorian to participate in the Australian Rural Leadership Program—building the skills, confidence and connections needed to create lasting change.

🥾 100 kilometres
❤️ One shared purpose
🌄 Stronger leadership across the NT

25/07/2026

We’re all together in Alice Springs, and before we’ve taken our first step on the Larapinta Trail, there’s already plenty to celebrate! 🎉

Together with more than 200 incredible donors, we’ve raised $55,000, securing our third Northern Territory-specific Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) Scholarship through Territory Connect. What an extraordinary achievement!

We’ve also happily eaten our way around Alice Springs and can’t recommend these local favourites enough:
🥐 Page 27 – breakfast done right.
🌿 Bean Tree Café – a perfect lunch stop.
🍻 Alice Springs Brewing Co. – great food, local brews and even better company.

We’ve stocked up on quality reads at Red Kangaroo Books, warm layers at Lone Dingo, and supported several other fantastic local businesses along the way.

Tomorrow, we join Intrepid Travel and begin our six-day Larapinta adventure. But first… one more breakfast and coffee at The Locals! ☕🥾

Thank you to every donor, sponsor and supporter who has backed this journey. Your generosity isn’t just funding a scholarship—it’s investing in the next generation of Territory leaders and helping shape tomorrow’s Territory.

The adventure starts tomorrow. Let’s walk with purpose. 🧡

Donations can still be made via https://donate.rural-leaders.org.au/larapinta-walkers-2026and will now go towards the 4th NT scholarship.

25/07/2026

Introducing two more members of this year’s Leadership on Larapinta walking team: Stuart McGifford and Deb Tidey.

Stuart commenced the Australian Rural Leadership Program this year after receiving a scholarship through the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, which has a proud history of investing in leadership development across the Northern Territory.

Having already experienced the impact of the program, Stuart is walking to help another Territorian access the same life-changing opportunity.

Deb moved from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula to Alice Springs with her son in November 2022, initially planning to stay for a year of adventure. Almost four years later, the Red Centre has become home.

“At 50, I’m ready to step outside my comfort zone and take a leap of faith. I’m looking forward to embracing the Larapinta Trail, walking alongside others, learning about ourselves and discovering the strength and courage needed to get us over the line.”

Together, Stuart, Deb and the team will walk 100 kilometres to raise funds for another Northern Territorian to undertake the Australian Rural Leadership Program.

Please support Stuart, Deb and the team by donating or sharing their journey. ❤️🥾

23/07/2026

Today, we’re introducing two of our 2026 Leadership on Larapinta walkers: Kylie Elston and Claire Maradani.

Born and raised in Alice Springs, Kylie has spent almost 50 years connected to the community she calls home. A former Australian gymnastics representative and Young Australian of the Year recipient, Kylie has continued to give back through volunteering, business leadership and her role as Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce committee.

For Kylie, the walk is “a chance to give back to a community that’s given so much to me” and to support another Territorian to grow in their leadership.

Claire Maradani is an experienced business and community leader with more than 25 years working across workforce development, organisational leadership and business. This year, she commenced the Australian Rural Leadership Program through one of the inaugural Leadership on Larapinta scholarships.

“Leadership on Larapinta reminds you that leadership isn’t something you do alone. Every conversation, every challenge and every donation is about creating opportunities for someone else. It’s a powerful reminder of what communities can achieve when they invest in each other.” — Claire

Over six days, Kylie, Claire and their fellow walkers will trek up to 100 kilometres along the Larapinta Trail, helping create leadership opportunities for future Territorians.

Read Kylie and Claire’s full profiles here: https://donate.rural-leaders.org.au/larapinta-walkers-2026

You can still support the walkers and help build funds towards future scholarships:

20/07/2026

20/07/2026

A short clip sent in from our dedicated team from Darwin - these shoes are made for walking, only one week to go.

19/07/2026

One week to go!

Next week, 10 walkers will set out on the Leadership on Larapinta journey—six days of walking, reflection and connection, while raising funds for future Northern Territory leadership scholarships.

We’ve already reached our $50,000 target, and every additional donation will help us work towards another scholarship.

You can still donate and support the journey here: https://donate.rural-leaders.org.au/larapinta-walkers-2026

Follow along as we share the journey from the trail.

12/07/2026

🥾 This time in two weeks, we'll have completed the first leg of our Leadership on Larapinta journey.

In just a few days, nine walkers will set off on the Larapinta Trail with one goal – creating opportunities for future Northern Territory leaders.

The support from our community has been nothing short of incredible. Together, we've already surpassed our $50,000 fundraising target, and we can't thank everyone enough for their generosity.

But we're not stopping there.

Every additional dollar raised will go towards future Leadership on Larapinta scholarships, helping even more Territorians access the life-changing Australian Rural Leadership Program in the years ahead.

If you've been thinking about supporting the walk, there's still time to be part of the journey.

👉 You can donate here: https://donate.rural-leaders.org.au/event/leadership-on-larapinta-fundraising-walk-2026/home

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared our story and cheered on our walkers. Together, we're investing in the future leaders of the Northern Territory.