McARTHUR RIVER MINE

Community Benefits Trust

Historic partnership changes lives in the Gulf

Eight years, $10.4 million and 63 project to receive grant funding was extensive community consultation separate projects – these are the the Wunala Creche. The $11,275 grant every year to develop a strategic plan amazing statistics that are changing built an ablution facility to provide to prioritise its activities. lives in the Gulf region. an improved level of health amenity This plan then guides the Board as for the facility. A recent grant was Established in 2007, the MRM it goes through its decision-making approved to build and establish a new Community Benefits Trust is a unique process, ensuring funds are allocated crèche for . The new crèche partnership between McArthur to the areas of most need. is able to care for double the number of River Mine, the children in a modern facility. Investing To help the community access funds, Government and the local community. in youth and early education is strongly Project Officers have been in place since It commits $1.35 million a year to supported by the Trust board. This the Trust was established. It is their role projects that support culture and art, grant is the largest to date being an to guide applicants through the funding enterprise and job creation, social and investment of $1 million dollars. process, linking them with the agencies community development, education, and people that will help turn their health and the environment. Over the past eight years, the Trust dream into reality. has funded everything from cultural The money comes directly from activities to jobs programs. Not every project is a success, but MRM, with all administration and that does not deter the Trust Board management costs borne by MRM Jobs have been created, culture saved, from its role. and the NT Government. That means artists discovered, stories remembered, every cent put into the Trust goes to sports played and songs sung. As we look to the next 20 years at supporting the local community. McArthur River, we can be sure the One of the features of the Trust is that MRM Community Benefits Trust will Over the years, projects funded have it doesn’t just hand out money as continue to be an agent of change for been many and varied. An early applications come in. It undertakes those living in the Gulf region.

Funds committed over the life of the MRM Community Bene ts Trust to date

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Enterprise & Culture Education Environment Social & Health Job Creation & Art Community

TRUST BOOK 1 The Trust in action

The McArthur River Mine To win support from the Trust, Environment Community Benefits Trust was programs or projects need to fall into Supporting the sustainable established in 2007 under an one six categories. development of industries such as eco- agreement between McArthur River tourism and fishing, and the protection Mining (MRM) and the Northern Enterprise and job creation and preservation of Indigenous country Territory Government to support the Programs that promote employment of cultural significance. social and economic development of and local business establishment the Gulf region. and development to create a diverse Health It is a charitable Trust which aims to: local economy and sustainable Improving the health and well-being job opportunities. of the community including action • Facilitate ongoing sustainable to address drug and alcohol abuse, development of the community and Education chronic diseases and provide access the region including community Improving literacy, numeracy to affordable, healthy food. capacity building and local business and commitment to learning from enterprise development. pre-school through to tertiary levels Culture and Art • Build infrastructure within the and to support greater pathways Supporting the sustainable growth of community to a level that will between vocational educational existing art and culture organisations facilitate the creation of local training and local employment in a way that promotes generational jobs, diversity of new enterprise, and business opportunities. understanding of Indigenous culture beneficial social activity and and traditions and the establishment improved health outcomes. Social and community development of sustainable culture-based businesses • Enhance the positive social and Promoting a higher standard of with tourism objectives. economic impact of MRM’s mining living by addressing issues such as operations on the community overcrowding in local homes and and the region as far as is welfare dependency and by providing reasonably practical. services and facilities to foster a positive sense of community and town pride. • Create jobs and training opportunities. The Trust is a partnership between the Government, MRM and the community and works to bring to life a long-term vision for the sustainability of the region, developed in consultation with the community. Importantly, five of the nine Directors on the Trust Board are representatives of the community—one from each of the four local Indigenous language groups and one elected by community member organisations. Their role as Directors provides a local voice in decision- making and helps ensure community needs are targeted. The Trust supports projects and programs in the Gulf region, which comprises the communities bounded by Robinson River in the south-east, Sir Edward Pellew Islands in the north, in the west and Balbirini Station in the south. The town of Borroloola sits at the heart. Trust Project Officers.

2 McARTHUR RIVER MINE Community Bene ts Trust category icons

Environment Projects funded by the Trust

CultureCulture and Art & Art Song Peoples Sessions knowledge. Distilling over 50 years event. In 2011, the Trust supported the This innovative partnership recorded of committed work by and with the expansion of the festival to include the traditional songs of the four local Yanyuwa community, it has been the Boonu Boonu Festival as the only language groups and produced them brought to fruition by Associate traditional Indigenous dance festival in Professor John Bradley, who has been the Northern Territory. into temporary recordings.Education Recording artist and Yanyuwa woman Shellie working with Yanyuwa elders for the Morris collaborated on this project, past 33 years, building on material Waralungku Arts Exhibition which went on to win a swag of national gathered by the late missionary linguist Paintings, prints and wooden sculptures awards and international acclaim for the Jean Kirton. With the support of the from local artists were featured at an Borroloola Song Women. Trust current and future Yanyuwa exhibition at the Rebecca Hossack Art Health generations will have access to this Gallery in London in 2011. Trust funding Musecology invaluable resource to prevent further not only help fly the group to London for loss of language and it will also be made Following on from the success of the the exhibition but was also invested in available for sale with proceeds being Song Peoples Sessions, the Musecology marketing and website development. returned to the community. project worked with Yanyuwa, Mara, Garrawa and Gurdanji people as both Limmen Park Rock Art Site Arts Development and Touring singers and producers to record the The Parks and Wildlife Commission of traditional songs Socialof the languageand Community groups. DevelopmentThis highly successful three-year the Northern Territory will carry out an The project built an archive of traditional program has assisted to revitalise Aboriginal rock art site protection project songs and language with the next phase cultural festivals and activities in the within Limmen National Park supported being the production of ‘Songbook’. Region with the support of the Trust. by the Trust. The project will focus on DanceSite has become an annual two main rock art sites in O’Keefe Valley Gulf Country Songbook event attracting ATSI performers to and Mantangula and will be inclusive of the Region to celebrate the diversity The Songbook will provide a collection all the elements linked to best practice of traditional Indigenous dance. The of non-ceremonialEnterprise songs and andrelated Job Creation rock-art site protection such as recording, project has supported local employment knowledge of Yanyuwa, Marra, Gudanji training, protection, interpretation and development of staff to manage and Garrwa peoples honouring their and archaeology. events for the region into the future. ancestors and connections to country. The establishment of a local market has Accredited training will also be delivered This involves the production of a full- also developed alongside this project, with a working partnership with colour book and DVD for locals and for providing an opportunity for local GSNT in place to ensure opportunities sale to tourists. A significant number of community members to generate for collaboration on the delivery of historical photos will be included along income and promote art and culture accredited training are not missed. with explanatory stories of the songs and from the region. biographies of composers and singers. Garrawa Rock Art Sites Keeping and Sharing Place This project combines the shared The Trust has provided support for the expertise of the Garrawa Traditional long-term vision of a place to preserve Owners, the Waralungku Arts Centre and protect art and culture in the gulf and Monash University to preserve and region through this project. The project transmit knowledge about rock art from to date has provided a feasibility the Garrawa stone country to younger study for the establishment of such a generations. The project involves senior centre, with current works including Garrawa Traditional Owner's engaging the collation of a detailed inventory the younger generation in the recording of existing and required collections, and sharing of culturally significant rock ongoing consultations and research art. The project is producing posters and and the development of protocols and a video, which will become resources procedures. This project is long term and for future generations to share and has been funded in 2 stages to date. learn from. Yanyuwa Encyclopedic Dictionary NAIDOC Festival The Yanyuwa Encyclopedic Dictionary The Trust has provided funding to is an extensive publication preserving assist with the delivery of a number of the Yanyuwa language and cultural NAIDOC festivals, including the 2010

TRUST BOOK 3 Community Bene ts Trust category icons

Environment

Culture and Art

EducationEducation Vocational Education Centre program is delivering development for greater access in the wet season for One of the first grants approved young Indigenous soccer players using transporting students to and from by the Trust was to the Borroloola football (soccer) linked to schooling to school. It will also be used for school create lifestyle changes among young camps and will provide daily transport School to developHealth the Borroloola CEC facility. Grant funding supported the Indigenous people. to students of Wandangula and Cow Lagoon. The Families as First Teachers installation of equipment and fit-out of The program attracts and engages a Program will also benefit, as it will the building. large number of the communities’ youth provide a greater reach to teach infants and is linked to a strict “no school-no and mothers. The Trust has previously Books in Homes Program play” policy. The program also provides provided the funds to the school for a The Trust has supported the Books local employment and equips and 13-seater commuter bus which has now in Homes programSocial for and three Community schools Developmentintensively mentors local coaches with been gifted to the community. – Borroloola, Robinson River and long-term support and expertise. Kiana. All 400 children in these schools Indi Kindi received books to take home and keep. Borroloola Breakfast Program The Trust has provided support for The Borroloola School Breakfast The philosophy behind the program is three years to establish the Indi Kindi program provides breakfast to an that children who read books from a program in the Region. Now well average of 80 students daily. The project young age are more likely to grow up into the second year, Indi Kindi is Enterprise and Job Creationsupports improved attendance and with a love for reading and an aptitude delivering daily mobile sessions run by learning outcomes. The program has for learning. local staff in Borroloola and Robinson been supported by the Trust for the past River. The program focuses on literacy three years with a recent grant provided Strong Start, Bright Future and numeracy for remote Indigenous to continue the program into 2018. The Strong Start, Bright Futures children aged 6 years and under. Indi Program was a partnership between Kindi is also working with leading Kiana School Breakfast Program the NT Department of Education, educators, publishers and booksellers Borroloola School and MRM. Its premise The Kiana School Breakfast Program to develop a range of reading and was to begin working with students provides a nutritious breakfast for counting materials for use by the at school to take them on a pathway students, encouraging attendance children, their parents/relatives to future employment. It included a and learning. The program is very and teaching professionals. frequent attender program to encourage community oriented with family students to go to school, incentives days also being organised at every for studying and vocational education term break. The students are involved and training opportunities. It also in growing produce for the program provided school-based apprenticeships as well as learning about cooking and eventually full traineeships and healthy meals. apprenticeships at MRM. Borroloola 4 x 4 School Bus John Moriarty Football This grant has been provided by the With a three year commitment from Trust for the purchase of a 4 x 4 bus the Trust, the John Moriarty Football for the Borroloola School. It will provide

4 McARTHUR RIVER MINE Community Bene ts Trust category icons

Environment

Culture and Art

Education

Health

Social and Community Development

EnterpriseEnterprise and Job Creation & Job Creation Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation providers to develop the program and Malandari Aboriginal Staff Housing The Trust has funded various extensive consultation with job seekers, Malandari Store has been supported infrastructure and machinery projects current employees and employers was to construct housing for staff to help build a sustainable business undertaken. Programs to improve accommodation. This will serve as including fencing to protect stock from employment pathways to MRM for an incentive for local employees dingo attack, visitor accommodation local people have been supported by the in recognition of performance and and kitchen facilities, a concrete Trust over many years. to support retention and career batching plant and agitator, grader, development. The shortage of housing drum roller and loader. Barni-Wadimantha Awara in Borroloola is a real challenge to The Trust has provided support to this employment. This project will help to Malandari Store economic development since 2011 and alleviate the pressure to some extent. The Trust made a substantial currently through until the end of 2015. contribution to the cost of building the Work to date has included researching Airbourne Solutions Training new Malandari Store. The store is an and trialling ecotourism opportunities, Provide local Indigenous resident, Aboriginal owned community store preparing submissions for funding Richard Baker, with the necessary managed by an Aboriginal Executive proposals and developing partnerships training to gain his license and secure Store Committee which decides on for infrastructure such as Black Rock employment as a commercial helicopter various policies and initiatives to help Landing. It also includes strategic land pilot at Airborne Solutions. and support the community. A portion and sea management planning and the of profits generated by the store go back development of a long-term business into the community to support activities plan. This project funds the services of a and programs. professional consultant to work with the Yanyuwa families to develop enterprise Pathways to Employment on country. The recent handing back of Black Rock is a positive step forward. MRM initiated a project supported by the Trust, to explore the establishment Waanyi Nation Aboriginal Corporation of a Community-based pre-employment training program which would assist This grant supported the engagement in developing local candidates for all of a consultancy to develop a viable jobs available in the region including business plan for the growth of a the mine. The first stage of this work new enterprise to provide contract involved working with local businesses, machinery operation. Gulf Savannah and other specialist

TRUST BOOK 5 Community Bene ts Trust category icons

Environment

Culture and Art

Education

HealthHealth Suicide Story Cancer Awareness With the support of the Trust the Mental The Trust has provided funding for the Health Association of Central Cancer Council to deliver awareness delivered their Suicide Story program programs in August 2015. One of the in Borroloola. This program delivers contributing factors to survival rates the important messageSocial andof suicide Community Developmentof cancer incidences is the absence of prevention. Designed specifically knowledge. This program will provide for delivery to remote Aboriginal education on how to reduce the risks communities in the NT. Workshops of cancer, how to detect possible were held within Borroloola in order cancers and what to do about to strengthen the skills, knowledge a cancer diagnosis. Prevention and and confidence in preventing and early detection of this disease is the Communityintervening in Bene ts suicideEnterprise at the Trust andcommunity Job category Creation best icons strategy to reduce the high level. Workshops were held in May mortality rates of cancer. 2014 with outcomes also being the establishment of a working group and a community safety plan.

EnvironmentEnvironment Dugong and Dolphin Conservation Gurdanji Rangers Group With the support of the Trust, this study MRM, with the support of the Trust, has has initiated a long-term study on partnered with the Traditional Owners dugong and coastalCulture dolphin and Art in Yanyuwa to establish the Gurdanji Rangers Group Sea Country to enable monitoring to assist the Gurdanji people to build of habitat health in the marine a sustainable, commercial enterprise environment. The project provided based around their commitment to training to the Yanyuwa Sea Rangers to protect, preserve and nurture their undertake ongoing monitoring which country. The first stage grant provided will continue to increase awareness funding for a business feasibility study of dugong and dolphinEducation conservation. to be undertaken. MusoMagic also delivered an educational program to school children Li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Ranger Vehicles emphasising a conservation message Funding was provided over three through this project. years for the acquisition of two vehicles Health and their maintenance costs to help West Island Turtle Camp caring for country initiatives of the The Trust has provided support to the Yanyuwa people. Sea Ranger Unit since 2011 to develop their vision of establishing viable Barramundi and Golden ecotourism enterprise on country. Snapper Monitoring The West Island Turtle Camp is a The Gulf region is a mecca for tourists, unique ecotourismSocial event and providing Community an Developmentparticularly among anglers chasing educational platform for visitors while barramundi. Grant funding has been interacting with the Traditional owners provided to the King Ash Bay Fishing and families also gaining an insight into Club to undertake research programs Indigenous culture in the region. The to examine the impacts of increased eco turtle camp is working towards the recreational fishing on barramundi Yanyuwa vision for achieving financial fish numbers in the McArthur River independence throughEnterprise sustainable and Job Creationnear King Ash Bay. The first two-year tourism developments. The Trust has project was funded in 2009 while a assisted in the areas of employment further project was funded in 2011 and training as well as infrastructure that also included the monitoring for this project. of Golden Snapper.

6 McARTHUR RIVER MINE Community Bene ts Trust category icons

Environment

Culture and Art

Education

Health

SocialSocial and Community & community Development development Pool Operations Gulf Aussie Rules Football The Trust has funded various projects The Borroloola Swimming Pool was The Trust has supported the at the crèche including the upgrade originally built with funding from establishment and operation of an AFL of ablution facilities in 2008 and new McArthur River Mine granted before Program representing Borroloola and perimeter fencing in 2010. the establishmentEnterprise of the Community and Job CreationRobinson River communities for senior Benefits Trust. Since then, the Trust and junior teams. This support enables Borroloola Rodeo Ground upgrades has provided financial support for the teams to compete locally as well as the Since 2007, he Trust has supported operation of the Borroloola Swimming establishment of a regional team to various upgrades to the Borroloola Pool Complex. The benefit of creating compete in the Katherine comp. The Rodeo Grounds, which is home a safe and healthy environment for the program has a permanent Regional to one of the Gulf’s most popular public to swim has been a long-term Development Manager and keen annual events. The upgrades have the commitment by the Trust. community support. replacement of chutes and installation of new bucking chutes, refurbishment MAWA Lighting Towers Little River Youth Diversion Program of fencing and the installation of a new The Trust provided the funding for the This project aimed to create a Juvenile loading ramp. The upgrades contribute purchase of four mobile lighting towers diversion/life skills development to a safer show for competitors, officials to be used for night time sporting events program for 13-16 year olds. and spectators. In 2015, the Borroloola on the oval and for annual community Rodeo celebrates its 48th event. events such as the Borroloola Show, Wunala Creche National Trust Welfare Building Borroloola Rodeo and NAIDOC and Approved for funding at the April Refurbishment Boonu Boonu Festivals. The towers 2015 Board meeting, the Trust will have enabled increased after hours provide significant funding towards The Museum building’s ablution activities for the community and are the construction of a new crèche for facilities were refurbished with the being used for AFL Training and games Borroloola. The old building located assistance of this grant from the Trust. on a regular basis. in Yanyula Town Camp is too small to meet demand and the building itself is FERGS Facility Upgrade subject to flooding. The Trust assisted the Borroloola Fire Other funding contributors include and Emergency Response Group with Mabunji, the Federal Government funding for the purchase of a shed and ABA with the Trust providing the suitable for housing vehicles and largest contribution to the project. This equipment. The new building will is a significant grant, which will benefit provide improved storage and training the Community through increased areas to improve responsive services in employment, increased availability the Region. of care and a safer and cleaner environment for children and staff.

TRUST BOOK 7 Applying for Trust assistance

The Trust invites applications for grant Generally, projects will not be funding from organisations interested considered for funding when, in in undertaking projects or programs the opinion of the Trust Board, they which align with and support the are the operational responsibility of achievement of the Trust’s objectives Federal, Northern Territory or Local and the community’s specific needs. To government. be eligible, the project must be of benefit Grants to approved projects can be to the community of the Gulf region. offered for up to 3 years subject to A project is eligible for support by the regular performance reviews. Long- Trust if it: term projects beyond 3 years in duration will require a new submission to be • Is conducted for a charitable lodged and assessed for any subsequent purpose, that is: terms. Reporting requirements will »» providing grants, scholarships, be detailed in specific Funding bursaries and other assistance for Agreements. education, vocational training Project officers have been appointed and enterprise development; or to assist organisations to prepare their »» providing grants and other application and develop a business case. assistance for community infrastructure, and community For more information: development including the MRM Community Benefits Trust promotion of initiatives in the areas of health, law, arts, sport Project Officer Wendy Moulds: and culture. 0400 247 313 • A project is excluded if it: Project Officer Jason Elsegood: 0417 864 769 »» is not for a charitable purpose Email: [email protected] » » is for funding funerals Web: www.mcarthurrivermine.com.au »» is an ex gratia payment to an Mail: PO Box 36687, Winnellie NT 0821 individual or individuals. • Is consistent with the Trust’s Annual Plan and priorities as developed by the Trust Board and following community consultation. All applications will be considered however preference will be given to applications which: • Address the expressed priorities of the community to resolve major issues impacting on the sustainability of the region and in so doing, make a real difference • Help build local capacity in a long- term, sustainable manner • Are catalysts for greater investment in the community either through additional external funding opportunities (other than the Trust), revenue-generation or other self- sustaining methods.

8 McARTHUR RIVER MINE TRUST BOOK 9 10 McARTHUR RIVER MINE