Visiting NRPP recipients on country highlights passion for change
Over the past week, Tim, Eileen and I had the opportunity to meet with four of the Round 2 NRPP suppliers based in the Northern Territory. Each organisation is taking a thoughtful, community-led approach to strengthening smoke-free living, and it was encouraging to see the passion and clarity they’re bringing to this early phase of their projects.
Our first meeting was with Urapuntja Health Service, who are beginning the development of a TIS program tailored for remote communities that have been severely underserviced. Their commitment to creating something meaningful and sustainable for their region was evident, and it’s clear the program will be grounded in local knowledge and community priorities.
We then met with Skinnyfish Music, whose project uses music and media to promote smoke free messages through local artists. Their partnership with ALPA (Arnhem Land Progress Association) and community collaborators places culture and creativity at the centre of behaviour change, an approach that holds real promise for reaching people where they are.
Hoops 4 Health shared their sport-based model, which engages youth and women through basketball and other physical activity. Their focus on building confidence, promoting healthy choices and encouraging smoke-free living through movement is already resonating with communities, and their enthusiasm for the work is infectious.
Our final visit was with Marthakal Health Service, who are also in the early stages of designing a TIS program for their remote communities. Their strong reliance on local knowledge, local staff and cultural strengths is shaping a program built for longevity and genuine impact.
Across all four organisations, the message was consistent: these project teams are enthusiastic, passionate and deeply committed to the outcomes they hope to achieve. While each project is still in its planning phase, the foundations being set now are strong, community centred and full of potential.
We look forward to walking alongside these teams as their projects develop and to sharing their successes as they emerge.
December 12, 2025
Visiting NRPP recipients on country highlights passion for change
Over the past week, Tim, Eileen and I had the opportunity to meet with four of the Round 2 NRPP suppliers based in the Northern Territory. Each organisation is taking a thoughtful, community-led approach to strengthening smoke-free living, and it was encouraging to see the passion and clarity they’re bringing to this early phase of their projects.
Our first meeting was with Urapuntja Health Service, who are beginning the development of a TIS program tailored for remote communities that have been severely underserviced. Their commitment to creating something meaningful and sustainable for their region was evident, and it’s clear the program will be grounded in local knowledge and community priorities.
We then met with Skinnyfish Music, whose project uses music and media to promote smoke free messages through local artists. Their partnership with ALPA (Arnhem Land Progress Association) and community collaborators places culture and creativity at the centre of behaviour change, an approach that holds real promise for reaching people where they are.
Hoops 4 Health shared their sport-based model, which engages youth and women through basketball and other physical activity. Their focus on building confidence, promoting healthy choices and encouraging smoke-free living through movement is already resonating with communities, and their enthusiasm for the work is infectious.
Our final visit was with Marthakal Health Service, who are also in the early stages of designing a TIS program for their remote communities. Their strong reliance on local knowledge, local staff and cultural strengths is shaping a program built for longevity and genuine impact.
Across all four organisations, the message was consistent: these project teams are enthusiastic, passionate and deeply committed to the outcomes they hope to achieve. While each project is still in its planning phase, the foundations being set now are strong, community centred and full of potential.
We look forward to walking alongside these teams as their projects develop and to sharing their successes as they emerge.
Mel Donohue
NRPP Project Manager