Strengthening Culture, Enterprise and Community on Tasmania’s North-West Coast
Meet the Community
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) represents the Aboriginal people of North West Tasmania, acknowledging the 12 Tribes as the traditional and continuing custodians. From its base in Smithton, CHAC delivers programs and services that strengthen culture, improve community wellbeing, and create opportunities for Aboriginal people to live and work on Country.
CHAC is one of Tasmania’s leading Aboriginal organisations, now operating more than 20 community programs that span health, youth, employment, and cultural connection. It is also a major local employer, supporting the social and economic wellbeing of Aboriginal families across the region.
Community History
CHAC was established in 1994 to reconnect Aboriginal people in the Circular Head region with their land, language, and heritage. Over the years, it has become a central part of community life — advocating for self-determination and delivering services that bring culture and care together.
A major milestone for CHAC was the return of land on peerapper Country, achieved through partnership with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC). This return gave the community a strong foundation for economic participation and stewardship of Country, opening the door to cultural enterprise and employment.
Community Aspirations
CHAC’s vision is to build a self-sustaining, culturally strong community where Aboriginal people lead their own development. The organisation’s goals include:
- Growing sustainable Aboriginal-led enterprises that create employment.
- Developing business opportunities that protect and share culture.
- Expanding youth training and community wellbeing programs.
- Strengthening governance and leadership capacity for long-term success.
At the heart of CHAC’s work is a simple belief: that Aboriginal people can drive their own social and economic future while keeping culture at the centre of everything they do.
“Organisations like Many Rivers have given us the knowledge and the ways forward… we have 50 people [employed] now; my ambition is to have 100 by next year. I think we can.” – Peter Benson, General Manager of Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation
Economic Development Journey
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation began working with Many Rivers in 2021 through the Community Economic Development (CED) program. Together, they focused on building governance and enterprise capability to support CHAC’s growing portfolio of community and business projects.
With Many Rivers’ support, CHAC mapped out clear pathways to self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on grant funding. This included scoping opportunities for cultural tourism and local enterprise that could celebrate Aboriginal knowledge while generating long-term employment.
In 2023, CHAC launched its flagship business arm, tarkiner – a community-led enterprise producing Bull Kelp–based products inspired by traditional practices and the coastal environment. With strong leadership from its Board, CHAC commissioned a business plan, secured production partnerships, and began building a market presence.
By 2024, tarkiner had secured partnerships with Seasol and Bunnings, marking a major step toward commercial sustainability. The enterprise is not only creating jobs but also sharing Aboriginal innovation with the wider community.
Alongside enterprise development, Many Rivers worked with CHAC to strengthen its governance, planning and grant writing, ensuring it could confidently manage growth. This support has provided CHAC with a strengthened capacity to manage the growth of both social programs and commercial activities under one strong organisational framework.
CHAC’s leadership and innovation have been recognised at the state level – with the organisation nominated for a Tasmanian Community of the Year Award for its outstanding contribution to local economic and cultural development.
Outcomes and Looking Ahead
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation has established a powerful model of community-led enterprise.
The success of tarkiner is a clear example of what’s possible when culture and enterprise work hand in hand. The organisation now has strong governance, a growing business portfolio, and a community vision that places culture at the heart of economic development.
Looking ahead, CHAC plans to expand its product lines, grow employment and training opportunities for young people, and develop cultural tourism experiences on peerapper Country.
With the support of Many Rivers and its community partners, Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation continues to demonstrate what Aboriginal self-determination and innovation can achieve for Tasmania’s north-west.
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