Pretty Posts Don’t Pay. Smart Strategy Does.

Back in 1997, I was running on caffeine, grit, and pure stubbornness - 16-hour days, every day. I’d spend the daylight hours trying to get bellette off the ground, then head over to Colemans Printing in Alice Springs from 4pm until midnight. That’s where it all began, the very first bellette deskpad, prepped for 1998. Every time I see one now, I think back to those nights, the racket of the press, the smell of ink, and that feeling of building something from scratch. At the time, it was just Kate, Bear and me before Jim and Fred came along, living in a one-bedroom flat on Undoolya Road. We didn’t have much, but we had drive, late nights, and a vision that somehow felt bigger than our little desk in that flat. Those were the days of pure hustle, when work meant getting your hands dirty, staying up too late, and believing you could make something out of nothing. Since that first run, Sno’s Welding and ShadeTech have been on the calendar every single year. The bellette deskpad has become one of those rare constants, still free, still landing on desks all over Alice Springs, a little piece of Territory tradition in a world where not much stays the same. The early 2000s were wild - 500 TV commercials a year, Murray Neck Homeworld jingles, dancing car salesmen from Kittles, Peter Kittle’s robust salesman shaking the showroom floor, and Kings and Carla Furnishers battling it out every weekend. I just loved Saturday mornings at Murray Neck Homeworld, the music, the chaos, the buzz of retail in full swing. It was loud, fun, and full of life, when TV, radio, and newspapers ruled the world. Fast forward to now, post-COVID, no one calls anymore. It’s all texts, emails, and endless notifications. The work’s changed. The world’s changed. But the deskpad? It’s still kicking, like that old pair of trackies you can’t part with. Reliable, familiar, and always there when you need it. Here’s to the 2026 bellette deskpad - 28 years on and still flying. Come and pick yours up today!

If you’re running an organisation or working in Alice Springs, you already know the score: staff shortages are biting, and the talent pool is more like a puddle.  With vacancy rates soaring and everyone scrambling for the same handful of great people, how do you stand out? Here’s a hint: it’s not another dry job ad or a dusty careers page. It’s video. Why Film Your Training Day? (Hint: It’s Not Just for the Memories) Let’s get real. Training days are where your culture shines. They’re the moments when your team learns, laughs, and bonds. But if you’re not capturing that energy on video, you’re missing a golden opportunity especially in Alice Springs, where word of mouth is everything and Local Government roles need to look more appealing than ever. A professionally filmed training day does more than tick a compliance box. It shows potential recruits what it’s really like to work with you. It’s proof that you invest in your people, that you care about growth, and that your team is more than just a list of names on a roster. Alice Springs: Small Town, Big Competition Let’s face it: Alice Springs isn’t Sydney or Melbourne. The talent pool is small, and your organisation is competing with every other sector for the same skilled people. When you’re staring down a 40% vacancy rate, you need every edge you can get. That’s where video comes in. A slick, authentic training day video lets you: Showcase your real team (not just stock photos) Highlight your values and culture (the stuff that actually matters to job seekers) Scale your word of mouth (because video travels faster than gossip in the Todd Tavern) What Makes People Move? (Spoiler: It’s Not Just the Pay) People don’t move to Alice Springs—or switch jobs—just for a pay cheque. They want to know they’ll belong, be supported, and have a chance to grow. A great video answers those questions in seconds. It shows your team’s energy, your commitment to training, and the real faces behind your organisation. Video: Your Recruitment Secret Weapon In 2026, video isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s your best bait in a small pond. Here’s why: Emotional connection: Video lets candidates feel your vibe before they even apply. Stand out online: Social feeds are crowded. A dynamic, authentic video grabs attention and sticks. Build trust: People want to see the real deal, not just read about it. Ready to Fill Those Seats? If you’re serious about attracting top talent to your Alice Springs Local Government team, stop telling and start showing. Film your next training day. Make it real, make it fun, make it Bellette. Because in a small town, you need the best bait. And in 2026, that’s video. Want to see how it’s done? Get in touch and let’s make your next training day the recruitment magnet you need. It’s not too late to start January 2026 with a full team.