Journalist, podcaster Molly Upstill appointed Darwin City Retailers boss

Darwin city retailers have a new general manager as they do battle with the major shopping centres. Read what’s planned.

Journalist and podcaster Molly Upstill has been appointed general manager of the Darwin City Retailers Association.

The longtime Darwin resident takes up the post almost 18 months after Andrea Wicking left the role in 2021.

Ms Upstill said she would work off the organisation’s new business plan and help build partnerships with connected bodies to get the most for Darwin city.

“The business plan has really helped Darwin City Retailers Association to refocus on taking more of an advocacy role and helping retailers be their best to get people through their doors,” she said.

Darwin City Retailers Association has a new general manager. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“I want to work with other associations like the Waterfront, Tipperary Waters, Cullen Bay, Activate Darwin and cruise ships to work together to bookend the city and to reinforce the CBD as an attractive place to do business.

“The co-operation between associations is exciting and it should give confidence to retailers that there’s a lot of people batting for their city.”

The former NT News reporter said she was excited to get started.

“This is an exciting time to be in Darwin and while we do have to work together as a community, I believe there is significant opportunity to grow our city and make it an attractive place to do business,” she said.

“Having seen the impact this association has had on Darwin I am excited to take on this role through its next evolution.

“With such an extensive membership base, I am proud to be joining the incredibly experienced and engaging members and committee to make Darwin the best it can be.”

Molly Upstill is the new general manager of the Darwin City Retailers Association. Picture: Helen Orr

DCRA chairman Minh Vu said Ms Upstill was well connected and had the experience to drive the association forward.

“Our priority is growing membership numbers and ensuring we remain the number one voice for retailers in Darwin,” he said.

“We have recently had a significant business plan done to identify new opportunities and bring us into the next period of growth, so it is the right time to bring Molly on board to achieve them and more.”

Mr Vu said the association was approaching its 10-year anniversary next year, with overwhelming feedback from members that it was both necessary and trusted.

“This association was started on the back of tough economic times and we’ll continue to be there moving forward,” he said.

Ms Upstill is a co-presenter of the popular Mum’s Gone Troppo podcast with Channel 9 executive producer Kathleen Gazzola.