Number: 02/2026. Date: 24/6/2026.

Vision Statement

Working together to create a thriving future for our island communities

愿景声明 - 携手合作为我们的岛屿社区创造繁荣的未来

Pernyataan visi - Bekerjasama untuk membina masa depan yang berkembang untuk masyarakat pulu kita

Pernyataan wawasa - Sama-sama berusaha mewujudkan masa depan yang berkembang maju untuk komuniti pulau kita

Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation

Newsletter – June 2026 Edition

Message from the Chair

As we approach the end of the 2025–26 financial year, here's a look at what the IOT RDO has been working on since our last update, including some projects that will continue into 2026–27.

In May, the Committee came together on Christmas Island for our Annual Business Plan workshop. It gave us a chance to look back on a strong year. To name just a few of our achievements, we opened a dedicated office on Christmas Island as a shared space for the community to meet and collaborate, strengthened community capability through grant writing, digital skills and governance workshops in collaboration with the Community Resource Centres and Indian Ocean Group Training Association, launched the IOT Grant Finder through GrantGuru, supported the Esky Library recycling initiative with Tangaroa Blue Foundation, commissioned destination content for both islands with CITA and CKITA, and were named runner-up at the RDA National Awards in November 2025.

The workshop in May also marked our second Strategic Plan Review session, with a key focus on reviewing community and stakeholder feedback on the Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Regional Strategic Plans. Once the draft plans are available, the community will have another chance to provide input. Your feedback will shape the final documents, so we encourage everyone to get involved when the surveys open.

As the RDO Chair role is held by the Administrator, my swearing-in for a further three-year term on 1 June means I will also continue as Chair of the IOT RDO. I'm excited to keep working with the Committee and the community as we build on what we've achieved, with more planning and delivery work ahead in 2026–27.

Thank you to everyone who has engaged with and supported the RDO's work this year. We look forward to what comes next.

Chair of the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation
Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands

What We’ve Been Working On

Destination Content – Photography, Video and Cultural Content

Sneak peek: Jarrad and Anouska on location, capturing the wild beauty of Christmas Island's coastline for our new destination content.

Following a competitive EOI process, the RDO, in partnership with CITA and CKITA, has engaged Jarrad Seng to deliver a professional suite of destination photography and video content across both islands. Shoots are currently underway across Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

We are proud to announce that the cultural content component for Christmas Island will be delivered later this year by our local photographer Meagan Powell, trading as “Keeling to Cove”.

This content will give both territories a strong, contemporary visual story to tell the world.

Exploring CI's rainforest trails as part of our destination content shoot.

Diving deep for the perfect shot.

Cultural celebrations on CI — content our local photographer Meagan Powell will be capturing later this year.

Youth Engagement – Christmas Island Sports Leadership Program

We are delighted to fund the Sports Leadership component of the upcoming Christmas Island school holiday program. Delivered in partnership with the Stephen Michael Foundation, PRL Group, the Shire of Christmas Island, Christmas Island Recreation Centre, and Christmas Island District High School, the program gives Year 10–12 students structured training and a pathway to casual employment as program facilitators. It’s building a sustainable local workforce while creating tangible opportunities for young people on the island.

Esky Library – Polystyrene Recycling

The RDO has supported the Esky Library initiative, managed by the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, in 2025–26, and will continue this support into the next financial year. The aim is to expand the program on Christmas Island and bring it to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The initial Christmas Island trial diverted over 6,000 litres of polystyrene waste and achieved a 100% participant satisfaction rate. We are very excited to see this great initiative grow!

Christmas Island Economic Future Working Group

Work continues across the EFWG's priority projects, with Business Foundations completing their second on-island visit for the year earlier this month. Susan O'Byrne and Phillip Kemp provided updates on the progress of their engagement and used the opportunity for further stakeholder engagement and data collection. The Working Group is looking forward to receiving the findings of Business Foundations' engagement to find practical solutions to improve Christmas Island's long-term economic resilience — covering underutilised buildings, infrastructure planning, access to the natural environment, and support for young people and families.

.id Community Profile and Insights Report

As part of the EFWG's evidence base, the RDO engaged .id to develop a community profile and baseline socio-economic indicators. The IOT Community Profile and Insights Report 2026 has been completed and published, giving the community, government and investors access to reliable, up-to-date data to inform planning and decision-making.

Governance Training and NFP Support

Caroline Robinson from 150Square has continued delivering tailored governance mentoring to local not-for-profit organisations across both territories. This work is building real organisational capability in communities where access to this kind of support is otherwise limited. This offer remains available until the end of 2026 so please get in touch if you would like to know more about it.

Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

The RDO has been awarded a grant as part of a Director Exchange Program within the Regional Development Australia program. This grant is supporting a reciprocal partnership with RDA Mid North Coast who also looks after Norfolk Island. Director Madeleine Lawler and colleague Dianne Wall will be visiting Christmas Island in August, with our Director Carolin Buncle Diesner travelling to Norfolk Island in early December. While on Norfolk, Carolin will be able to attend the Island Arks Symposium IX, a gathering of remote island communities to share knowledge and develop practical responses to the challenges of island life.

GrantGuru – Commonwealth Territories Grant Finder

The RDO is working with RDA Mid North Coast and RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven to develop a joint grant-finding platform through GrantGuru, to be called the Commonwealth Territories Grant Finder. This is a practical way to pool resources and give all external territory communities access to a shared, tailored tool. In the meantime, the IOT GrantGuru platform remains live and free to use. Visit the Grants page on the RDO website to create your account and set up alerts for relevant opportunities.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airfield Upgrade

The RDO continues to receive regular briefings from the CKI Airfield Upgrade project team and has maintained active engagement with Fulton Hogan, Defence, Aecom and other key stakeholders. Our focus remains on ensuring community interests — including workforce opportunities and longer-term community benefits — remain front of mind as the project progresses.

Advocacy and Representation

Beyond on-island projects, the RDO continues to represent IOT priorities in national policy discussions. During the year, this included submissions to Senate inquiries on issues affecting remote and external territories, and ongoing collaboration with RDA Mid North Coast, also responsible for Norfolk Island, on a proposed External Territories Designated Area Migration Agreement to address workforce challenges unique to the territories. The RDO also wrote to the Minister and local Member of Parliament advocating for an External Territories Community Investment Fund, and engaged with Lotterywest to explore funding pathways for IOT-based organisations, who are not currently eligible under existing rules. The RDO also provided direct support to local businesses and organisations navigating grant applications throughout the year, including a letter of support. Our Director also attended the SEGRA conference and Regional Australia Institute events during the year, sharing the IOT's experience and learnings with peers from other regions and bringing back ideas relevant to our own priorities.

IOT RDO Red Door Office – Open to the Community

The IOT RDO office is intended to be a shared and welcoming space. It is available for community groups, organisations and businesses to use for meetings, collaboration or short-term workspace needs.

If you’re a business or organisation and need a space, please contact our Director Carolin Buncle Diesner at carolin.buncle@iotrdo.com.au.

Committee news

Committee Meetings and Workshops

In May, the Committee held its third general meeting for the year, alongside a Special General Meeting to consider and pass amendments to the IOT RDO Constitution. The Committee also met for its Annual Business Plan Workshop and Strategic Plans Review — despite a change of venue from the original Cocos (Keeling) Islands plan due to flight disruptions, sessions were productive and engaged, with time to reflect on 2025–26 achievements and align on priorities for the year ahead.

The next Committee meeting and Annual General Meeting are expected to be held in October or November.

Current Committee

Chairperson: Farzian Zainal
Deputy Chair / Interim Treasurer: Thomas Battcher (CKI)
Secretary: Amy McDonald (CKI)
Committee Members: Sarah Coote (CI), Stephanie Lai (CI), Tracey Krepp (CI)
Affiliate Member: Melanie Han (CI), Kuranda Seyit (CKI)
Director: Carolin Buncle Diesner

Our door is always open

Please reach out to Committee members or the Director anytime, whether it's to share an idea, give feedback, or just have a chat.

About the IOT RDO

The Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation (IOT RDO) is part of the national Regional Development Australia (RDA) network, which consists of 50 organisations across the country funded by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA).

The RDA network brings together local leaders who work with all levels of government, business, and community to support economic growth and sustainable development in their regions.

The IOT RDO focuses on building strong, resilient, and confident communities on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. We work to unlock local opportunities, drive investment, and support long-term regional development in the Indian Ocean Territories.

Website: indianoceanterritories.com.au
Email: rdo@indianoceanterritories.com.au
Phone: 0407 226 263