Myuma Group News RAINBOW GATEWAY LTD J U L Y 2 0 1 4

MYUMA PTY LTD DUGALUNJI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION Myuma Group News RAINBOW GATEWAY LTD J U L Y 2 0 1 4

Prevocational Graduation July 2014

The second Dugalunji Prevoca- the graduating trainees received Smith-Marshall, Jameson Wil- tional Training Program for their certificates and enjoyed a son, Jerome Woibo, Jesse Cal- 2014 commenced on 30 April at lunch on site, accompanied by lope, Jesse Clemments, Kelvin Dugalunji Camp, Camooweal. their families, as well as indus- Dempsey, Lawrence Roos, Lew- try, community and government is Bambrick, Lymon Dunne, Myuma welcomed participants representatives. Michael Mudd, Murrandoo Yan- referred to the Program by ner, Regan Rankine, Robert industry partners MMG, Glen- This Program’s participants have Grego, Russell Barlow, Sam core Mount Isa Mines and Rain- come from communities across Wells, Shaqille Amini, bow Gateway Ltd. A total of the State, including Burketown, Sherridan Sarmardin, Stafford 26 trainees took part in the 10 Croydon, Hopevale, Norman- Chong, Troy Mullins and Wil- INSIDE THIS week training course and paid ton, Mornington Island, and liam Andrews. ISSUE: work placement, which has Mount Isa. focused their skills development We congratulate all of our grad- Dallas 2 in the areas of Construction, The 3026 graduation group uates on their achievements in consists of Anderson Bee, Cael McNamara Mining and Metalliferous Under- having successfully completed ground Mining. Watson, Chandel Simmons, the Program, and wish them Hayden Smith 3 Christel Barry, Curtis Dempsey, well in their future endeavours. At a ceremony held on 8 July, Dallas McNamara, Hayden -Marshall

Trainee 4 Current Duga- Awards lunji Prevoca- Meet Evan Ah 5 tional Training Wing Program participants, pho- Rainbow 6 tographed at Gateway Dugalunji Horticultural 8 Camp, Camoo- Projects weal, prior to Visit to Split 12 their gradua- Rock tion on 8 July.

Meet Kelvin 13 Dempsey Civil Works 14 Part of a growing tradition... The participants who graduated from the April-July 2014 Dugalunji Prevocational Training Program join the growing ranks of “the Myuma Mob” - Program graduates who proudly speak to the success of the Dugalunji prevocational training model. The most recent Program was the 16th in the series of prevocational courses delivered by the Myuma Group at Camooweal. Since 2007, over 400 participants have taken part in the Dugalunji Programs, with most graduates successfully moving on to employment in the mining, construction and other sectors throughout Queensland and further afield. P A G E 2 Dallas McNamara | Camooweal Rodeo Star

Dallas McNamara has spent many years Trainees and staff members attended the growing up around cattle stations and train- Rodeo and gathered around the gates to ing to compete in horse competitions at ro- watch Dallas compete in this event, eagerly deos. cheering him on.

When the Camooweal Campdraft and Ro- Although Dallas didn’t win, he showed us deo came to town from May 31 until June 2, what a brilliant sportsman he is, as it’s no Dallas competed in a sport known as bronc easy feat jumping on a bucking animal and riding. staying on. We wish Dallas the best in future rodeo events!

Dallas in the Dugalunji Camp Workshop during his training course. Words from the Training Manager | Matt Steblina

I would like to welcome all the Trainees, families and guests whose passion and commitment ensures the success of each to the 16th Myuma Graduation ceremony. This program has and every program Myuma delivers. been a huge success for many reasons, most of all, that our trainees have successfully completed the program and are Some of you may already know, Myuma was recently award- ready to commence employment with our valued industry ed a Federal Government contract to deliver its program partners Glencore Mount Isa Mines and MMG Century. under the newly formed Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) model. This program will see some 150 Indig- Some ten weeks ago 26 young Indigenous Australians arrived enous Training transition into sustainable employment here at Myuma not really knowing what to expect. Since through various employment and training programs through- then, we have seen this group change in so many ways, but out the next 12 months. also, they have learned to have confidence in their own ability to succeed, through failure and achievement. I wish all the graduates the very best in the future and we all look forward to hearing great things as you venture into a This program and the results it achieves would not be possi- new and exciting time in your lives. Remember one thing, you ble without the support of many important and valued stake- are now and will always be part of the Myuma family. holders and most of all, the tireless efforts of the Myuma

Group’s team. As the newly appointed Training Manager I have been very privileged to work with a group of people

MYUMA GROUP NEWS J U L Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 3 Meet Hayden Smith-Marshall | RJCP Trainee

Where are you from and who are your alright. ancestors? I’m from Dajarra and Wunara. My skin name is What are the possibilities now for your Pipiyi and country name is Wakaya. I’ve been living in future? Mount Isa for about five years. I have been going A good future. Better jobs and more money. backwards and forwards, to Dajarra, Mount Isa and Wunara in the Northern Territory. Message for other graduates: I’d say listen carefully and take the trainers’ advice. Tell me a bit about your community. I’ll tell you about Dajarra. It’s a small little town. There is a school there, most people just work on the cattle yards, stations. There’s only station hand work available really.

What will you be doing after you graduate from Dugalunji Pre-Vocational Training? Katie from Rainbow Gateway called me on the phone to come here. Me and Jerome will be working for Myuma as road crew.

How has your experience been at the Dugalunji camp? It’s been good. Learnt some new things.

What was the best part about being at the camp so far? Getting a job at the end of it.

What is your favourite class at Myuma? I like Paul Memmott’s class inside, and outside I like Glen’s classes. I like all the outside classes. But the inside class I like is the Paul Memmott one, that was Hayden Smith-Marshall undertaking concreting at Duglaunji Camp. Welcome to our New Staff

With the expansion of the Myuma Group’s operations in the last four months, we have welcomed a number of new staff members as part of our teams:

We extend our special congratulations to the four graduates who received the following Awards at the graduation ceremony on 8 July 2014 at Camooweal:

Chandel Simmons who received the Jeremy Donovan Leadership Award for the most excellent teamwork, communication and leadership qualities which will assist in achieving future goals.

William Andrews who received the Safety Award for demonstrating a safety-conscious approach throughout the program and enhancing safety values amongst his peers.

Michael Mudd who received the Improvement Award for continually striving to ‘Do Good’ throughout the program and persisting with a ‘Can Do’ attitude at every step.

Lawrence Roos who received the Overall Achievement Award for fulfilling the ethos of Myuma, to ‘Do Good’ by showing good character and strong values to achieve the very best in yourself.

Meet Lawrence Roos | MMG Trainee Where are you from and who What are the possibilities now are your ancestors? for your future? I’m from Katherine, NT and my group I guess I have a lot of possibilities now, is Waanyi and Central Arrernte. Now I like you learn different things here. So live in Mount Isa. whatever you like I guess, it could open your doorways. Tell me a bit about your community/where you’re from? Message for other graduates: Mount Isa is a nice place, there’s a lot Good luck in the future with your careers of work opportunities within the mining and enjoy everything you do, have fun. industry. There’s a lot of other things you can do there in your free time, it’s an open place.

What will you be doing at MMG? I’m not too sure yet. I would like to do an electrician apprenticeship.

How has your experience been at the Dugalunji camp? It’s been very good, meeting new people and learning a few new things.

What is your favourite class at Myuma? Probably construction with Glen, wood- working. I’m making a fishing rod hold- er.

Lawrence Roos in the Dugalunji Workshop

MYUMA GROUP NEWS J U L Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 5 Meet Trainer Evan Ah Wing Where are you from and who isolation, Air and water hoses, are your ancestors? Then I came to Myuma in 2011 hand tools, introduction to shift, I was born in Mount Isa on Kalka- to rebuild the whole camp, I origi- basic first aid, and SWI electric doon land but my roots go back to nally got sent out for the contract shock procedures. the Gulf of Carpentaria and that is of the new kitchen. Then I went to the Garuwa and Waanyi group on Ipswich working in the housing my Mum’s line, and on my Father’s industry, building houses in What is your role here? line I come from the Normanton Redbank. Then I came back home My role here is construction su- area that’s in the Gulf too—Kukatj to Mount Isa when my father pervisor and facilities carpenter. I group. passed away in late 2013. I start- have a big role to play; I’m also ed working for Myuma again in doing my Cert IV in Training and I was born and bred in Mount Isa, February 2014. Assessing (TAE). I’m supporting but moved away when I did my trade and guiding my young people in when I was nineteen to the Sunshine the right direction, that’s what I Coast, with Steve Butler. I learned to What is your educational am here for. Helping the next build houses, he taught me every- history? generation be good role models thing about housing. I did a school- I went to Town View State School for their generation. based apprenticeship in carpentry, in Mount Isa then I went to first in north-west Queensland to go Mount Isa High School. I had a through a school-based apprentice- scholarship with the Cowboys What is the best part ship in this region, back in 1998. when I was fifteen and had the about your job so far? The best part of my job is the opportunity to go and play foot- ball when I was younger. interaction with the trainees. I am What is your job history? actually learning my own culture I’ve worked mostly in housing con- Then I had a school-based ap- through these young trainees who struction. I went down to Sunny prenticeship in Mount Isa. When I come through the course, the Coast building houses, came back to went to Xstrata for three years I connection we have to the coun- Mount Isa got into mining construc- did in-house training in sag mill try, and that’s a big thing for me. tion and I had a hand in building the operations and flotation opera- Also, passing down my knowledge new zinc filter plant and that’s when tions. I got my confined space in life skills to these youngsters. I got my start as a process techni- tickets and worked around radia- cian, looking after sag mill operation. I completed Tagging and tions. I’ve been around. I’ve done a lot of travelling.

I was working for a company in Rockhampton doing maintenance and renovations, for the Darumbal people who are the Traditional Own- ers of that land. I came back to Mount Isa due to family reasons and I also got my Youth Work Certificate II. I also did half of my Cert III in Public Safety (fire safety and operations) and I worked as a fire fighter in Mount Isa and in Townsville. In 2010 I worked as a Youth Worker for Young People Ahead in Mount Isa, I won Employee of the Year.

Trainer Evan Ah Wing with a wooden model of a house. P A G E 6 Rainbow Gateway Update

Rainbow Gateway Ltd have kicked some Operations. Three jobseekers from serious goals over the last year since its Alpurrurulam are also completing studies in conception thanks to the efforts of Katie agri-food. Owens, Sian Neary, Ron Axford and the Well done to the Rainbow Gateway team in rest of the Rainbow Gateway team. Alpurrurulam, Boulia, Camooweal and

Dajarra! A total of 82 participants have been signed up to start or have already commenced Certificate II or higher this financial year.

The number of participants who have attained Certificate II or higher this financial year is 22. This figure will be much higher between now and the next six months as training has not completed yet in the majority of these courses.

Rainbow Gateway has placed 53 participants into employment. A further 25 participants have remained in employment over a period of seven weeks and as many as 20 participants have remained in employment for over 13 weeks. The Jimberella Hall in Dajarra and the Burke and Wills Aboriginal Co-operation building in Boulia were in much need of reparations and community enlivenment. Jobseekers in Dajarra and Boulia have been working on community beautification. A number of RJCP participants in Dajarra have started a Certificate II in Cleaning RJCP Activities Supervisor Nikahla Major at Jimberella Hall, Dajarra.

Myuma Group Library | Up and Running!

The Myuma Library has finished being cata- logued by Portia Hamilton onto the Cultural Information Management System database after another round of books were donated from the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Alongside Ben Hokianga, Portia is currently managing library loans, and both staff members are happy to assist other staff and trainees with selecting a book that interests them. Also on loan to trainees and staff are a range of board games such as Scrabble and Jungle Speed.

A huge thanks goes out to Fred and Karen White who donated more bestsellers and Aus- tralian Classics to the Myuma library. Robert Grego also wins a mention for being the most well-read trainee this course, having borrowed a total of three books. Good effort Robert!

MYUMA GROUP NEWS J U L Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 7 Camooweal Caves The Camooweal Caves are an important place for Indjalandji-Dhidhanu people and their formation resulted from millions of years of water trick- ling through the Earth.

Water filtered through cracks and layers to dissolve dolomite (a lime- stone rock formation) and open up the earth. 3026 trainees visited Blind Cave and learned about its cultural values.

Trainees also assisted Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) in the construction of an area for shelter, a picnic table and handrails at Camooweal Caves National Park.

Whilst at the National Park the trainees were able to work towards their Certificate II in Construction undertaking work activities such as concreting and fencing.

Some of the trainees at Blind Cave, Camooweal Welcome to Country | Ruby Saltmere

The 3026 trainees enjoyed a ‘Welcome to Country’ cultural session with Indjal- andji-Dhidhanu elder Ruby Saltmere.

After Ruby’s speech, the trainees joined Ruby outside for a group photograph.

P A G E 8 Rainbow Gateway Horticultural Projects

Securing food sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint in the outback of Camooweal

With an anticipated rise in global population numbers, the demand for food will be likely to increase by about 50% by the year 2030. The stability of food production is severely affect- ed by the demand for land, varying climate and global warming. The communities in remote areas are the most vulnerable to these changes due to harsh environmental conditions and greater food mileage.

Food security, community resilience, and the need to reduce food miles and carbon foot- prints are of foremost concern in remote Australia. By consuming home grown seasonal produce that are low in food miles, food sustainability can be achieved. In addition, home grown, seasonal produce is organic, cheap, nutritious and beneficial for you and the envi- ronment. Irrespective of the harshness in the outback, there is always something you can grow, if there is a will. Above all, it is a joy to watch your vegetables growing in your own backyard and being able to pick them fresh.

Horticulture in Camooweal Dr Harshi Gamage at Dugalunji Camp

Dr Harshi Gamage, an ecological programme coordinator at Myuma is carrying out horticultural activities in Camooweal under the Remote Job Community Programme (RJCP). The RJCP integrates employment and community-development services in remote re- gions, for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. As a start, horticultural activities have been initiated with the community and pre-vocational trainees at the Camooweal hall community garden and at the Myuma camp, respectively. Dr Gamage says: “under the scorching sun and with prevailing dry gusty winds together with impoverished soils, horticulture in the outback of Australia is quite challenging. However, with proper planning and a team of dedicated people anything is achievable” and Gamage already has results to demonstrate that.

Fig. 1. Community member George Nemo involved in plant propagation activities (A), Completed garden bed (B; from left Alysha Holt and Travis Wickham) and installing a drip irrigation system (C; from left James Green and Neville George) at the Camooweal hall garden.

Fig. 2. Pre-vocational trainees involved in horticultural activities (A), vegetables (B) and leafy greens growing at Myuma camp garden (C).

MYUMA GROUP NEWS J U L Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 9

RJCP Community involvement in horticultural activities in Camooweal

Over the last six months, the Camooweal community have been involved in horticultural activities at the community hall garden. The garden was invaded with this exotic pasture grass, buffel (Pennisetum ciliare) and was slashed out to clear the ground. The clay soil was excavated to loosen up, gypsum (clay breaker), organic matter and manure were added to improve the soil quality and drainage. Fruit and native trees suitable to the area were planted. Vegetables and herbs were propagated in the nursery at the Myuma camp. Once germinated these will be planted in the community hall garden.

Fig. 3. Community hall garden invaded with buffel grass (A), pruning plants (B; from left Alysha Holt, Travis Wickham and Kerry-Anne Aplin), and the RJCP supervisor Dennis Willetts removing debris (C).

Fig. 4. Garden bed preparation (A; from left Travis Wickham, Kerry-Anne Aplin), collecting manure (B; from left Travis Wickham, George Nemo) and mulching planted tree seedlings (C; from left Kerry-Anne Aplin, Alysha Holt) at the Camooweal hall garden.

Future prospects of Horticulture

Horticultural activities at the Camooweal hall garden will be expanded to include a bush nursery, orchard and a kids’ garden. Additionally, basic cooking skills, healthy eating and nutrition educational programmes will be carried out for the community. The community will benefit from these gardens by having plenty of healthy food supplies, thereby reducing the consumption of products in high fat, sugar and salt. Furthermore, any excess produce can be sold out in a community market and would help to generate an income. Once the Camooweal hall garden is established, we will expand these activities to other towns under the

RJCP, and ensure food security and the long-term health and economic benefits for Aboriginal Australians who reside in remote areas. P A G E 10

The Ragged Thirteen

Professor Paul Memmott from the University of Queensland (UQ) Aboriginal Environments Research Centre (AERC) took the trainees to the Northern Territory border for a session on local history, trade routes, the Piccaninny Dreaming, the local bore technology of the 1890s, cross-cultural encounters and the infamous ‘Ragged Thirteen’.

The Ragged Thirteen were a group of outlaws during the 1880s who travelled from the Kimberley on their way to the ‘Never Never’, essentially working their way over to the rush through robbery. The outlaws would ride out over the border when police patrol came on horseback from Normanton.

Just as Professor Memmott was getting into the details of these nineteenth- century outlaws, a group of rugged bikers arrived and joined the prevocational trainees for a photograph and a yarn.

3026 Trainees at the NT Border with a group of bikers and Professor Paul Memmott

MYUMA GROUP NEWS J U L Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 11 Cultural Heritage with Colin Saltmere

Colin Saltmere giving a demonstration in stone tool knapping to the 3026 trainees.

Colin Saltmere is Managing-Director of the Myuma Group, three non-profit organisations: Myu- ma Pty Ltd, Rainbow Gateway Ltd and Dugalunji Aboriginal Corporation.

Colin is an Indjalandji-Dhidhanu man, a Traditional Owner of the Camooweal region, an Ad- junct Professor at the University of Queensland, and recent winner of the Queensland Re- sources Council Indigenous Champion Award.

During this cultural heritage session, Colin spent time with the trainees at the Georgina River, which is an important area for the Indjalandji-Dhidhanu people. Colin, Paul and the trainees went to an island between two branches of the Georgina river where it splits into a huge quarry.

At this quarry, Colin was able to speak to the trainees about his own cultural traditions, and show them how he and his ancestors would work on ribbonstone by knapping it into a tool, such as an axe or spearhead.

The trainees thoroughly enjoyed this session with Colin, and watched intently as he provided this demonstration. P A G E 12

Visit to Split Rock

The trainees enjoyed a visit to Split Rock with Colin Saltmere and Profes- sor Paul Memmott. It was here they learned about cross-cultural encounters between different Aboriginal cultural groups and the highly sought after ochre at Split Rock. Ochre was traded and used for traditional purpos- es, both before and after European colonisation of Australia. In the image below, Colin has demonstrated to the trainees the various colours available from this land.

From L to R: Lawrence Roos, Regan Rankine, Colin Saltmere, Dallas McNamara.

MYUMA GROUP NEWS J U L Y 2 0 1 4 P A G E 13 Meet Kelvin Dempsey | Glencore Trainee

Where are you from and who are your It’s been good. Met a lot of people. ancestors? I’m from Mount Isa and Dajarra and my group is What was the best part about being at Waluwarra. the camp so far? The best part about being out here is keeping out Tell me a bit about your community. of trouble from Mount Isa. In Dajarra everyone is pretty much family related. There’s not many job opportunities, Job Futures What is your favourite class at Myuma? come out from Isa every month. Practical work down at the shed with Adrian and Malcolm. What will you be doing at Glencore ? I want to go underground to do crushing and con- What are the possibilities now for your veying. There are six jobs underground, two jobs on future? surface, and they will find jobs for the other four. Hopefully buy a house. I’m hoping to go underground. Message for other graduates: How was your experience at Dugalunji Don’t be shy, always communicate. camp?

Myuma’s Civil & Traffic Crews The Myuma Group Civil and Traffic teams are currently working on two main projects. Project 15B is a heavy rest area located in Mount Isa and the Cudeco intersection at the Burke De- velopment Road and Corella Park Road intersection is also in the process of being completed.

Myuma has also continued with the Road Maintenance Performance Con- tract (RMPC) which is ongoing from last year.

The Thorntonia Crew are working on the year-long Road Maintenance Per- formance Contract (RMPC) with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) undertaking maintenance activities including accessibility grading to provide access to the number of stations along the Gregory Downs-Camooweal Road, routine grid Part of Project 15A which was recently completed by the Myuma Civil and servicing and road closures due to wet Traffic Crew. weather events.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS...

The 16th Dugalunji Prevocational Training Program would not have been possible without the generous support of the following sponsors, and all the many other people, organisations and agencies who have assisted us to recruit participants and to deliver our current program. Thank you from all of us at Myuma.

THE MYUMA GROUP PO Box 24, Camooweal Q 4828 Tel: 07 4748 2060 / Fax: 07 4748 2061 email: [email protected]

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