By CASEY NEILL
CARLEY Scott couldn’t speak more highly of her childhood in Dandenong North.
It set her up for success, she says – and she’s had plenty of it.
The 34-year-old is the CEO of the Developing East Arnhem not-for-profit in Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory.
“I flew up in February – just in time for two cyclones,” she said.
“It’s about 660 kilometres east of Darwin. It’s an extremely remote location, but well-serviced.”
Ms Scott had worked in economic development in Victoria for several years.
“I was a national director of Economic Development Australia and that was a really good experience as well,” she said.
She took this opportunity following the curtailment of a Rio Tinto refinery.
“You’ve basically got a mining town that was starting to look at ‘what’s the future for the town and the people of the town and that area’,” she said.
“You have to hit the ground running there.
“It was about establishing the company quickly and trying to get some runs on the board for the community there.
“Like most communities, they’ve got a vision of their own and things that they really want to see happen, so it’s about facilitating those goals.
“Much like Dandenong where you’ve got a range of manufacturing roles and you want to make sure you’ve got diverse employment, in this area as well it’s really about saying ‘not only do you have manufacturing – or up there, mining – what else do you bring to the table?
“Tourism for them is a big winner because it’s such a beautiful location.
“They’ve got fantastic cultural assets as well.”
Agriculture is also on the table.
“It’s an interesting thing coming from Victoria and then going to a place like the Northern Territory because you get a lot of similar stories about wanting to diversify your economy and make sure there’s jobs for people coming forward,” she said.
Ms Scott returned to her home town while in Victoria representing the Northern Territory in the National Archery Competition in Morwell.
She won a gold medal and a silver medal using the low bow – after only a year in the sport.
“About a year ago I thought ‘I’ve always wanted to give it a go, I’ll try it’,” she said.
“I’m loving it.”
Ms Scott recalled her time at Dandenong North Primary School, swimming at Dandenong Oasis and working at the Pancake Parlour.
“My brother played football for Dandenong North Football Club and I did the boundary umpiring,” she said.
“It’s just a great place to grow up.
“There was a really strong sense of community.
“It’s a place I’m really proud to have grown up in and tell people about it really proudly as well, and I love coming back because there are so many positive connections.”
Ms Scott’s been excited to watch central Dandenong’s evolution in recent years.
“You just know there’s more people getting to call Dandenong home which is great,” she said.
“Growing up here, you’ve got a whole range of opportunities to grow and learn from which is great.
“None of these things have come easily. You have to work at them.”
