THE UARTERLY NEWSLETTER O THE CENTRAL DESERT … · 2020. 2. 17. · THE UARTERLY NEWSLETTER O THE...

THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CENTRAL DESERT REGIONAL COUNCIL, CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

EDITION NO. 35 / SUMMER 2017–18

Central Desert News

CELEBRATING OUR TIDY TOWNS

Ti Tree Works staff celebrate their Tidy Towns Award for Best Small Town.

INSI

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3 • Annual Report 3 • Nyirripi roadworks 4 • The Hungry Caterpillar4 • A day in the life . . .5 • Councillor Profile6 • Frisbees fly6 • PWC renews contract

7 • Basketball heroes7 • Our third Council10 • Long service rewards10 • Howzat!11 • Aged and Disability facility for Willowra12 • Engawala paves the way

13 • New childcare14 • Small business finds its way

AND LOTS MORE . . .

2018 PLANNER

INSID

E!

Each year, Council enters a number of communities in the Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns competition. This year it was

decided that all communities would be put forward for these much coveted awards.

Front-line staff across the region got right behind the initiative and drove efforts to improve the feel and look of their towns and communities. Whilst not everyone could take a trophy home, all communities emerged from the experience sparkling!

Following major upgrades to infrastructure paid for from Local Authority funds, the Ti Tree park and oval were able to be watered for the first time in many years. This stood them in good stead as they picked up the Best Small Town NT Award. Great work Ti Tree!

In Laramba, the Works crew lead the charge, coordinating working parties of CDP job seekers, community members and other stakeholders. Council also coordinated a ‘Best Yard’ competition with coveted prizes including a whipper snipper, meat packs, a television and power cards. This two-month long campaign resulted in Laramba winning two commendations: Community Participation and Litter Management.

In 2016, Yuelamu’s water supply was overcome by blue-green algae, which affected resident’s drinking water. Council and Power Water Corporation worked together to make water-saving posters and devise a safe means for residents to collect treated water. The major joint project was a dual storage system which quarantines a portion of the water supply specifically for drinking. This wonderful initiative won Yuelamu the Water Conservation Award.

Michael Davis is the waste coordinator who heads up the Central Australian Remote Waste Management program. Michael works with Central Desert, MacDonnell and Barkley Regional Councils to address waste challenges. Michael was awarded the Waste Champion Award at the Recent Tidy Towns Awards in acknowledgement of his tireless and expert direction and guidance of all three Councils.

Congratulations to all, including our cousins at MacDonnell Regional Council who also took home a swag of awards and continue to lead the way in Tidy Towns.

2

CENTRAL DESERT NEWS / SUMMER 2017–18

From the President2017 has been a great year and

I feel we have got a lot done – you’ll be able to see that from all the great stories in this edition! We’ve had our Council elections and first meeting where we elected Councillors to various roles. I’m very proud to have been voted as President for another term and look forward to working with all the Councillors, old and new, for this next term. I’m also working well

with our new CEO, Diane Hood, and I’m sure this term of Council will continue the great work we’ve been doing since 2008.

Councillor Warren Williams from Yuendumu was elected as Deputy President and I’m sure we’ll make a great team. Our Local Authorities are working well and we’re looking forward to

simplifying the paperwork and getting strong input from these groups. In the new year, we’ll be improving the process and making the meetings more about the communities.

We’re also moving into our planning process, as one of the first jobs of a new Council is to set its Strategic Plan for the next four years. In 2018, we’ll be talking to all our communities about their community plan to find out the needs and vision of the people at each of our places. I look forward to getting everyone’s input.

As a Laramba man, I’m very pleased at the awards we won with the Tidy Towns competition – congratulations to Anmatjere for Best Small Town as well as Laramba and Yuelamu – I encourage you all to read more about this in this newsletter.

We’re moving into our hot season and I wish all our residents and staff a safe and happy Christmas and New Year with family and friends.

Don’t forget that last summer’s rains will soon turn to this summer’s fires! Keep your yard clean, grass slashed and talk to kids about the danger of fire.

From the CEOThank you to President Dixon, all

the Councillors and staff for a warm welcome. I’m really happy to be back in Alice Springs and helping advance the Central Desert region. It’s been a busy start to my job here, and I have managed to visit all our communities. I’m very impressed with the dedication of our staff, the look and feel of communities and the services we offer.

All the Local Authorities have now elected their new chairpersons, and I am keen to continue to get to all the meetings I can, and talk to the community people. Our new Council has strong diversity, with Councillors from different communities, a good mix of male and female, experienced and new, as well as young and more mature. This is great as we move into our planning process so we can get different points of view and it makes for strong discussion and debate in Council meetings.

As we move into 2018, we all need to stay focused on our values – Strong Leadership, Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity and Respect. These ways of working will help us build our strategy and work out practical and meaningful ways to improve the well-being of our residents and their communities. Our focus is on the services we deliver and our customers, all those who live

and work in Central Desert. Enabling and empowering each other to improve and provide meaningful services is our key objective. See our article on our latest annual report (opposite) – this is our report card on how we are doing so far!

I am very proud of all the great stories in this newsletter; I think they reflect the variety of excellent work our teams achieve across our region. Of course, we can always improve and our managers have just taken part in a productive session to start reviewing how we’ve been doing and looking at measures to make sure we are on track to achieving Council’s goals and strategy.

I also want to congratulate all our people who received long service awards during this year – this was across all communities. While there are too many people to mention individually, those who have achieved 10 years of service are worthy of note – these people have remained dedicated to working to improve the Central Desert region. Congratulations to our 10-year recipients: Michael Erglis (Lajamanu), Joy Turner (recently retired – Engawala), Sascha McKell (regional), Jocko Long (Anmatjere), Irene Floyd, Susie and Tamara Staffard (all from Laramba).

I hope everyone has a great holiday season and returns to work safe and refreshed – enjoy your time off and see you all next year!

3


Nyirripi Road upgrade

Central Desert has received the go ahead to rebuild the Nyirripi Road after devastating rains in January 2017.

Once funding agreements are finalised, $3.6 million will be put towards the project funded by the Federal Government’s National Disaster and Relief Recovery Arrangements. Work is expected to commence in 2018, and will employ up to 20 people and take approximately 18 months to complete.

COUNCIL’S ANNUAL REPORT CARDThe Council’s Annual Report was presented to Minister for Housing and Community Development Gerry McCarthy MLA in November. Highlights from the 2016–17 year include: the release of the Family Wellbeing Strategy; the upgrading of the Anmatjere Aged Care facility, enabling overnight respite; the expansion of service delivery for the Community Development program; increased solar power delivery; improved IT connectivity; upgrades to community laundry facilities; overhaul of many landfill sites; improvements to community parks; upgrades to a number of water supplies; several sporting wins and upgrades to sporting facilities; Builder-Trainer program commenced building; safety improvements to community roads; repairs to severely damaged main connector roads; improvements to streetscapes; several awards; and a nett surplus of $1,786,354.00.

Copies of the report are available on Council’s website or by telephoning 08 8958 9507.

Photos: Nyirripi Road, January 2017.

4


Giant hungry caterpillar sighted in Ti Tree

Central Desert Regional Council is currently contracted to run two libraries across the region on behalf of NT Libraries: Ti Tree

and Lajamanu. NT Libraries provides a list of suitable material from which Council stocks the facilities. The material is suitable for all age groups and amounts to thousands of books and magazines in both localities.

The libraries are available to all members of the community and provide local employment for 22 hours per week. The libraries are also used by other CDRC teams such as Early Childhood, Youth and Communities and Aged and Disability Services.

Ti Tree Library has recently hosted the Anmatjere playgroup who have been discovering the iconic children’s book The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. As this is one of the community’s favourite books, Early Childhood and Library staff worked with local children to create a visual representation that brings the book to life for families.

Both Lajamanu and Ti Tree libraries are air conditioned and have a number of computers. The Lajamanu Library is located opposite the Council office in the Batchelor Institute facility and the Ti Tree service runs from the Council office.

The Hungry Caterpillar that looms large in the Anmatjere Library.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN AGED AND DISABILITY CLIENTTom Bundy is a resident of Atitjere and one of Council’s Aged and Disability clients. Tom’s condition affects his mobility thereby affecting his ability to get around community and to take his medication. Tom was recently assessed by the Atitjere Aged and Disability coordinator who felt that he would benefit from some short-term respite care whilst Council staff sourced equipment to assist Tom to manage his day-to-day life.

Council’s Aged and Disability service aims to keep clients on country as long as possible and in a manner in keeping with their individual wishes and those of the family. The equipment sourced for Tom has allowed him to do just that.

Tom enjoyed his stay in respite and is open to having more short-term visits in the future. He is also excited about his new bed, mattress and the other aids sourced to make his home and community more accessible.

Aged and Disability client Tom Bundy has receives mobility aids which have improved his quality of life.

5


Welcome In August 2017 the entire Northern Territory undertook local government elections, including the Central Desert region, which resulted in CDRC’s third Council being elected. Over the coming year, Central Desert News will profile each of our Councillors. We start with one of our new councillors, Cr Fred Williams.

Councillor Profile: Cr Fred Japanangka Williams‘We have to have access to our community all year round. We want to see it functional in the wet season and see our crossings accessible, permanently.’

Born in the late 1950s, Cr Williams has childhood memories of travelling on the back of a donkey between Yuendumu and Willowra and the outstations of Mount Denison and Cockatoo Creek. ‘We used to live off the land, learning from our grandfathers, uncles and mother, and living off bush foods, recalls Cr Williams. This food was supplemented by rations from the nearby Mount Hardy copper mine.

Fred is a Warlpiri man who speaks, reads and writes both Warlpiri and English and is employed as an interpreter with the Aboriginal Interpreter Services. He has also worked as a mediator with Southern Tanami Kurdji Indigenous Corporation, has been a member of the Willowra Local Authority and is a Director of the Wirliyajarrayi Outback Stores.

Fred was educated at Yuendumu Primary School, after which he attended Yirara College in Alice Springs as a boarder.

Fred is passionate about road access for all Central Desert communities and feels it should be Council’s first priority; building strong river crossings to ensure access to all communities is maintained, no matter what the weather.

He also feels strongly about peace in the region: ‘Zero tolerance, no violence against anyone, including women.’ In his first term as a councillor, Fred would like to develop stronger working relationships between police and Central Desert Regional Council’s Community Safety Patrol and Mediation services: ‘We need to focus on working towards peace to help the community go in the right way.’

Fred is the second of five children, three of whom were part of the Stolen Generation, which has sadly meant a loss of contact with all three of his sisters. He was given the name Fred by the missionaries at Yuendumu, and his traditional name is Japanangka. He also happily answers to Freddy.

Freddy enjoys country and gospel music but doesn’t like hip hop. He can often be found by a fire, telling stories about the past and making jokes, but never about his beloved Collingwood or Yuendumu Magpies!

Welcome to Cr Freddy Williams (second from right, back row) who joined some of his colleagues at the Councillor Induction day in Alice Springs in September.

6


FRISBEES FLYING AT SIMPSONS GAPCouncil’s Youth, Sport and Recreation staff were recently snapped playing frisbee whilst on a break from professional development sessions. Staff members are studying Certificates II, III and IV in Sport and Recreation through local provider Charles Darwin University, as well as attending sports umpiring and coaching workshops.

Youth and Communities staff take a break at Simpsons Gap during professional development training.

PWC contract re-secured for Atitjere and Engawala

Power and Water Corporation (PWC) recently called for tenders to provide essential services support to all communities within

the Northern Territory. The contract includes the monitoring and maintenance of PWC assets.

Within the Central Desert footprint, three-year contracts have been awarded to:

• Central Desert Regional Council at Engawala and Atitjere,• Hale River Cattle Pty Ltd at Laramba,• Andrew McCarthy at Wilora,• Napperby Proprietors at Ti Tree, Nturiya and Pmara Jutunta,

and• Yapa-Kurlangu Ngurrara Aboriginal Corporation at Yuendumu,

Yuelamu, Willowra and Nyirripi.

Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved in the delivery of these services over the last contract period and to especially congratulate Yapa-Kurlangu Ngurrara Aboriginal Corporation on its first PWC essential services contract. Council has learned some valuable lessons from their ESO tenure and looks forward to delivering excellent service to PWC and to the people of Engawala and Atitjere.

New contracts commence on 1 January, 2018.

Essential Services Officer Terri Colotti at work keeping the power on and the water running for Anmatjere residents.

7


Staff and officials welcome third Council

Central Desert Regional Council’s third Council met for the first time on 14 September 2017 in the Council’s Chambers in

Alice Springs. Staff and the executive were on hand to witness the swearing-in of each councillor who were then congratulated by LGANT President and returning Mayor of Alice Springs Town Council Damien Ryan, as well as Chansey Paech MLA and Scott McConnell MLA.

The Council is charged with the responsibility of presiding over the strategic direction of the organisation, from municipal services to infrastructure and assets, youth and community safety, justice and mediation, children and aged care services, financial sustainability and our Community Development, or CDP, program.

CEO Diane Hood presides over the swearing in of possibly the youngest councillor in the Territory, Cr Audrey Inkamala from Atitjere.

CEO Diane Hood with Gerry McCarthy, Minister for Housing and Community Development, congratulating CDRC’s third Council.

CEO Diane Hood presides over the swearing in of Cr Adrian Dixon who retained his position of President.

CEO Diane Hood presides over the swearing-in of Deputy President Cr Warren Williams from Yuendumu.

Engawala, Yuelamu and Laramba sporting prowess on display

As part of the Youth Sport and Recreation program, Council staff coordinate competitions across many sporting codes, including

basketball. Men and women train and play regularly in individual

communities which then feeds into a regional competition, also facilitated by Council.

In 2017 the regional basketball competition involved men and women aged 12 to 25 from Ti Tree, Atitjere, Engawala, Laramba, Yuelamu and Yuendumu. Games were played each weekend in communities between September and November with finals hosted by Laramba in stormy conditions. In the women’s competition Yuelamu defeated Engawala. For the men, Laramba proved too strong for Engawala.

In this year’s regional competition there was much jubilation when a less-confident male player was called to the court and scored a crucial goal within 20 seconds of his debut. Yuelamu women and Laramba men will now go on to represent the region at the Southern Basketball Cup in Alice Springs 9–10 December 2017 where they will play teams from all over the Central Desert and Barkley regions. If you are in Alice at the time, come and make some noise for the Central Desert teams.

Congratulations to all of the players on a great competition.Congratulations to winners in the region’s basketball finals, Laramba, and to the runners up, Engawala.

8


MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

JAN1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

FEB1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

MAR1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

APR1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

MAY1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

JUN1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

JUL1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

AUG1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

SEP1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

OCT1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

NOV1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DEC1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 JAN


YEAR PLANNER 2018

JAN 2019

SAT SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

NEW YEAR’S DAY

AUS-TRALIA DAY

COUNCIL MEETING ALICE SPRINGS

COUNCIL PREP. DAY

COUNCILLOR COMMUNITY WARD COMMITTEESDIXON, Adrian (President) Laramba Anmatjere Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Social Justice Committee, CEO Performance Committee

GEORGE, Robert Lajamanu Nth Tanami Finance Committee

GLENN, James Ti Tree Anmatjere

INKAMALA, Audrey Engawala Anmatjere Social Justice Committee

LIDDLE, William Atitjere Akitjere

MARTIN, April Willowra Sth Tanami Finance Committee

McCORMACK, David Yuelamu Anmatjere Audit & Risk Committee

PATRICK, Norbert Lajamanu Nth Tanami Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Social Justice Committee, CEO Performance Committee

SPENCER, Jacob Nyirripi Sth Tanami Finance Committee

WEBB, Renita Atitjere Akitjere Audit & Risk Committee

WILLIAMS, Freddy Willowra Sth Tanami CEO Performance Committee

WILLIAMS, Warren (Dep Pres) Yuendumu Sth Tanami Social Justice Committee, CEO Performance Committee

AKITJERE WARD Atitjere

ANMATJERE WARD Anmatjere, Engawala, Laramba, Yuelamu

SOUTHERN TANAMI WARD

Yuendumu, Nyirripi, Willowra

NORTHERN TANAMI WARD

Lajamanu

KEY:Council Preparation Day

Special Council Meeting

Council Meeting (CM)

Audit and Risk Committee

Finance Committee

Social Justice Committee

Anmatjere

Atitjere

Engawala

Lajamanu

Laramba

Nyirripi

Willowra

Yuelamu

Yuendumu

NEW YEAR’S DAY HOLIDAY

AUSTRALIADAY

COUNCIL PREP. DAY YUEN-DUMU

COUNCIL MEETING YUEN-DUMU

ANMATJERE LOCAL AUTHORITY

WILLOWRA LOCAL AUTHORITY

ATITJERE LOCAL AUTHORITY

ENGAWALA LOCAL AUTHORITY

FINANCE COM’TEE

LARAMBA LOCAL AUTHORITY

YUELAMU LOCAL AUTHORITY

YUEN-DUMU LOCAL AUTHORITY

NYIRRIPI LOCAL AUTHORITY

LAJAMANU LOCAL AUTHORITY

COUNCIL PREP. DAY ALICE SPRINGS

CM A/ SPRINGS

GOOD FRIDAY

SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITEE

EASTER SUNDAY

EASTER MONDAY





FINANCE COM’TEE

ANZAC DAY

AUDIT & RISK COM’TEE


YUELAMU LOCAL AUTHORITY MAY DAY




COUNCIL PREP. DAY LAJAMANU

COUNCIL MEETING LAJAMANU

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY



ATITJERE LALARAMBA LOCAL AUTHORITY


FINANCE COM’TEE


YUEN-DUMU LA

ALICE SPRINGS SHOW DAY NAIDOC



CM A/SPRINGS



PICNIC DAY

ANMATJERE LA



LARAMBA LA

FINANCE COM’TEE







COUNCIL PREP. DAY ENGAWALA

COUNCIL MEETING ENGAWALA





FINANCE COM’TEE





SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING



CM A/SPRINGSSOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITEE

FINANCE COM’TEE

CHRISTMAS DAY BOXING DAY CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED

NEW YEAR’S DAY


9



JAN1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

FEB1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

MAR1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

APR1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

MAY1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

JUN1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

JUL1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

AUG1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

SEP1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

OCT1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

NOV1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DEC1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 JAN


YEAR PLANNER 2018

JAN 2019

SAT SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

NEW YEAR’S DAY

AUS-TRALIA DAY

COUNCIL MEETING ALICE SPRINGS

COUNCIL PREP. DAY

COUNCILLOR COMMUNITY WARD COMMITTEESDIXON, Adrian (President) Laramba Anmatjere Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Social Justice Committee, CEO Performance Committee

GEORGE, Robert Lajamanu Nth Tanami Finance Committee

GLENN, James Ti Tree Anmatjere

INKAMALA, Audrey Engawala Anmatjere Social Justice Committee

LIDDLE, William Atitjere Akitjere

MARTIN, April Willowra Sth Tanami Finance Committee

McCORMACK, David Yuelamu Anmatjere Audit & Risk Committee

PATRICK, Norbert Lajamanu Nth Tanami Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Social Justice Committee, CEO Performance Committee

SPENCER, Jacob Nyirripi Sth Tanami Finance Committee

WEBB, Renita Atitjere Akitjere Audit & Risk Committee

WILLIAMS, Freddy Willowra Sth Tanami CEO Performance Committee

WILLIAMS, Warren (Dep Pres) Yuendumu Sth Tanami Social Justice Committee, CEO Performance Committee

AKITJERE WARD Atitjere

ANMATJERE WARD Anmatjere, Engawala, Laramba, Yuelamu

SOUTHERN TANAMI WARD

Yuendumu, Nyirripi, Willowra

NORTHERN TANAMI WARD

Lajamanu

KEY:Council Preparation Day

Special Council Meeting

Council Meeting (CM)

Audit and Risk Committee

Finance Committee

Social Justice Committee

Anmatjere

Atitjere

Engawala

Lajamanu

Laramba

Nyirripi

Willowra

Yuelamu

Yuendumu

NEW YEAR’S DAY HOLIDAY

AUSTRALIADAY

COUNCIL PREP. DAY YUEN-DUMU

COUNCIL MEETING YUEN-DUMU





FINANCE COM’TEE







CM A/ SPRINGS

GOOD FRIDAY


EASTER SUNDAY

EASTER MONDAY





FINANCE COM’TEE

ANZAC DAY



YUELAMU LOCAL AUTHORITY MAY DAY




COUNCIL PREP. DAY LAJAMANU

COUNCIL MEETING LAJAMANU

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY



ATITJERE LALARAMBA LOCAL AUTHORITY


FINANCE COM’TEE


YUEN-DUMU LA

ALICE SPRINGS SHOW DAY NAIDOC



CM A/SPRINGS



PICNIC DAY

ANMATJERE LA



LARAMBA LA

FINANCE COM’TEE







COUNCIL PREP. DAY ENGAWALA

COUNCIL MEETING ENGAWALA





FINANCE COM’TEE





SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING



CM A/SPRINGSSOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITEE

FINANCE COM’TEE

CHRISTMAS DAY BOXING DAY CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED

NEW YEAR’S DAY


10


Outstanding effort and long service recognised

Benjamin Dickenson has been employed by Central Desert Regional Council at Yuendumu since 2014 and currently

holds the position of Community Safety Patrol (CSP) Team Leader. In November 2017 Benjamin was awarded the Community Services Engagement Award 2017 by Charles Darwin University (CDU). CSP officers are studying through CDU in Alice Springs and Lajamanu to gain Certificate III Community Night Patrol which involves nine training modules conducted over nine months. Lecturers identified Benjamin as committed to his studies with outstanding effort and excellent attendance. Benjamin was also commended for his career aspirations which include pathways into corrections and NT Police service. Benjamin was chosen from over 300 students to receive this award. He is expected to graduate in early 2018 with Certificate III Community Night Patrol.

Meanwhile in Ti Tree, administration staff Jacqueline Hadfield and Veronica Russo have been recognised for excellence by the Department of Human Services. Centrelink has over 100 agencies across Central Australia, each with multiple staff. Jacqui and Veronica were identified as having met their funding agreement key performance indicators. They were also recognised for their consistent and reliable attendance at on-line training, consistent on-time delivery of monthly statistics, maintaining an excellent site and outstanding customer service over a number of years.

And finally, three Councillors were recognised by the NT Local Government Association for 10 years of service. Council’s President Adrian Dixon received his pin at the recent Local Government of the Northern Territory AGM and Crs James Glenn and Norbert Patrick received theirs during a recent Council meeting.

Congratulations to all!

Ti Tree staff Jacqueline Hadfield and Veronica Russo have been recognised for excellence by Centrelink.

President Adrian Dixon (second from right) receives recognition for 10 years of service to Local Government in the Territory. The award was presented by Minister for Housing and Local Government Gerry McCarthy (left).

Benjamin Dickenson received recognition from Charles Darwin University for commitment and outstanding effort.

11


Cricket wins friends out bush with T20 Blast Junior Cricket Cup

Over 60 young people from the Central Desert’s remote communities of Atitjere, Engawala, Ti Tree, Yuelamu,

Yuendumu and Laramba came together during the October school holidays to try their hand at cricket, many for the first time. The inaugural T20 Blast Junior Cricket Cup was held over two days with 18 games of cricket played. The competition presents a chance for young people between seven to 15 years to try a new sport in the lead up to the Imparja Cup in January 2018 in Alice Springs. It’s expected that some of the older players will represent the region in the 2018 Imparja Cup.

Much fun was also had after (cricket) hours at the Ti Tree campground where the young people camped in swags and tents, swam in the pool and told stories.

The Yuelamu Junior Cricket Team at the T20 Blast.

Participants watch on at the T20 Blast Junior Cricket Cup held at Ti Tree.

The Yuelamu Junior Cricket Team at the T20 Blast.

12


LONG ROAD FOR WILLOWRA’S AGED AND DISABILITY FACILITYIn mid-2014, Council commenced delivering aged and disability services to Willowra community. Services had been limited due to the absence of a dedicated facility; however, work has recently commenced on a purpose-built building. Once completed, the facility will deliver services such as fresh meals, social activities and day respite.

Aged and disability clients were very excited to see their long-held dream becoming a reality as the block was pegged out, the grader started shifting dirt and building materials arrived on site.

The building is being constructed through the Community Development Program’s (CDP) Builder-Trainer program, generating skills development for six local job seekers. Keep your eye on Central Desert News for progress photographs.

Council teams work together to facilitate crisis respite

In mid-2017 a property on men’s country became available in Yuendumu which inspired Council’s Justice and Mediation and

Community Safety Patrol teams to work together to find a way to bring a culturally safe men’s space to community.

The property was originally designed as a cool-down shelter but had been abandoned for many years. The Community Safety Reference Group and the Local Authority were consulted and, with strong support, it was decided to reinvigorate the space.

An NT Government grant of $30,000 outfitted the building and will also provide facilitation training for local champions of the project.

Council staff are volunteering their time and effort to support the initial stages of the project; however, local leaders are steering and executing the purpose and application. Ideas for funding to make the space sustainable have been discussed and include a pool competition and fundraising barbeques.

Recognising signs of domestic violence

Central Desert Regional Council’s Youth and Communities team have been working directly

with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) to develop a course to assist staff in recognising and responding to issues of child abuse and neglect, domestic and family violence, and elder abuse. The course, Community Safety and Wellbeing Training for Frontline Workers, promotes community safety and well-being through group discussions, interactive activities, video resources and individual reflection.

The training has been well received by staff in Anmatjere, Yuelamu, Willowra and Yuendumu, and will be rolled out to Atitjere, Engawala, Laramba, Nyirripi and Lajamanu in early 2018.

Staff partake in the NAPCAN Community Safety and Wellbeing training held recently in Willowra.

Willowra residents celebrating their new Aged and Disability facility with CDP Builder-Trainer John Marshall and CDP participant Greg Williams.

13


Council gains skills to take on minor resealing

With 38.77 kilometre of bituminised roads across the region, resealing is a large undertaking for

Council. For the most part this work is tendered out as the plant does not exist within the organisation and, until now, the skills have not been present.

In 2015–16 Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Boral Asphalt Limited to facilitate upskilling of the CDRC Roads crew. This year, Boral provided financial assistance which allowed staff to upgrade their licences. This has brought a new set of capabilities to CDRC, enabling Roads crews to perform work that previously could only be undertaken by contractors. This shift represents a win for financial efficiencies as well as employment opportunities and efficient usage of machinery.

Minor resealing training was also provided by Boral which enabled Council to undertake the resealing of the Atitjere basketball court and the sealing of the Lajamanu Council car park. In future, these skills will stand Council in good stead. Similarly, Council was able to do some preparatory work ahead of contractors when it recently undertook the resealing of Engawala and Atitjere internal roads. These roads have not been resealed in over 10 years, also the expected lifespan of the new work.

Photos: Resealing of Engawala roads in progress.

14


New Childcare for Yuelamu and Nyirripi a win for children

Council’s Children’s Services team are very proud to have opened two ‘new’ early childhood facilities in Nyirripi and

Yuelamu recently. These two services have had a chequered past having been opened and closed a number of times, so to see the doors open again is a win for children aged nought to five years in both communities.

The services will provide an opportunity for local employment, community engagement, connection to other local community services and, most importantly, a happy and safe environment for learning. The focus of the learning program will be growing up strong and healthy while promoting Indigenous culture.

Both services will also incorporate Council’s School Nutrition program which provides breakfasts and lunches to school-aged children in community. Having Childcare and School Nutrition staff working together provides efficiencies, a healthy team environment and an opportunity for staff to learn from each other.

Nyirripi’s new childcare facility ready to open its doors.

Yuelamu Childcare – a restful place for all ages.

Nyirripi Childcare and School Nutrition team: Left to right : Gloria, Sabrina, Katrina, Magda and Charlene (Absent: Ursula, Joy, Evelyn and Cecily)

Everything ready for Yuelamu’s childcare to reopen its doors.

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NUTRITION UP BY 22% In August 2016, Central Desert Regional Council’s School Nutrition Program (SNP) was approached by the NT Department of Health who wished to assess Council’s SNP menu for nutritional value. An initial assessment was conducted across all six SNP locations. Council then worked with public health nutritionist dietitians from the department to identify opportunities for improvement. By moving to low-salt and low-fat options, the menu’s nutritional value was improved by 22%.

The Department now uses Council’s school nutrition menu plan as an example to other school nutrition programs across

the Territory. This is a great outcome for the nutrition and health of

all NT kids.

68%

32%

90%

10%

2016

2017

Congratulations

Central Desert Council School Nutrition Program Team - Yuelamu - Nyirripi - Laramba - Willowra - Wilora - Engawala

22% increase in

Best food choices

Promoting School Engagement through Healthy Food

Collaboration with the Central Australia Health Service Dietitians

Yuendumu Careers Day

Each year, the Council participates in the Yuendumu Careers Day and this year was no exception with the Children’s Services

and CDP teams each hosting a stall. Called ‘The Yellow Brick Road’, visitors walk around the facility visiting local service providers to find out about employment opportunities. In 2017 the Children’s Services team prepared show bags with educational material about Childcare and Council, books, pencils and other small gifts. Council’s Community Development Program also attended the event to assist people with pre-employment readiness and to transition job seekers into employment.

The event represents a valuable opportunity for Council to recruit casual employees and profile services.

Children’s Services staff pack sample bags for the Yuendumu Careers Day.

SMALL BUSINESS IN THE BUSH

Aspiring Warlpiri business people and entrepreneurs are one step closer to realising their dreams after recently

attending a small business workshop in Yuendumu.The Doing Small Business in the Bush workshop was

delivered almost entirely in Warlpiri language using learning aids translated for a Warlpiri audience.

The idea was conceived by Council staff who worked with local consultants and Warlpiri people to develop the workshop. Designed to cut through confusing concepts and terminology and to address issues faced by people for whom English is not their first language, the workshop was well received. Warlpiri facilitator, artist, designer and aspiring businessman Otto Simms was energised by the outcome. ‘You have gotten us into second gear and now we want to keep going!’ Mr Simms exclaimed.

The workshop is one way that Council is helping Aboriginal people to get involved in economic and enterprise development. Taking a smart business idea and turning it into a reality brings so many benefits to the community, and Council looks forward to rolling out the same workshop in other languages.

Yuendumu’s Big Store manager Peter Mead being interviewed by course participants Otto Simms and Ned Hargraves.

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WHAT’S ON AROUND COUNCILLOCAL AUTHORITY MEETINGS 2018Anmatjere: 13 FebruaryWillowra: 14 FebruaryAtitjere: 20 FebruaryEngawala: 21 FebruaryLaramba: 28 FebruaryYuelamu: 1 MarchYuendumu: 6 MarchNyirripi: 7 MarchLajamanu: 14 March

COMMITTEE MEETINGS 201827 February (Finance Committee)29 March (Social Justice Committee)

COUNCIL MEETINGS 2018Yuendumu: 31 JanuaryAlice Springs: 29 March

Central Desert Regional CouncilPO Box 2257 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871Ph 1300 360 605www.centraldesert.nt.gov.au

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THANKS!Thanks to staff who have contributed to this edition of the Central Desert News: Francis Nadonko, Wayne Porter, Kate Proctor, Maree Axford, Julie Sheehan, Edin Fleming, Suzy Godfrey, Sascha McKell, Michelle Kitchin, Peter Van Heusden, Rhys Aconley-Jones, Craig Catchlove, Veronica Russo, Nishantha Perera, Mary-Jane Dugay, Ray Hocking and Billeigh Waaha.

We also acknowledge our funding bodies who provide not only money, but also expertise and advice. These groups are recognised within each story.

Merry Christmas from Spud and all at Central Desert Regional Council.

Council questions best way forward for election process

The long awaited conclusion to the 26 August Local Government elections delivered Central Desert Regional Council a 100%

Indigenous council. The staff and executive are pleased to receive their third Council

and the diversity and experience it represents. Five members were returned to the Council with seven newly elected members.

Cr Adrian Dixon retained his position as President with newcomer Cr Warren Williams from Yuendumu being elected as Deputy President for the first 12 months.

In this and future editions of Central Desert News, Council will profile each of the councillors commencing with one of our new councillors, Cr Fred Williams from Willowra (see page 5).

Double the number of nominations was received by the NTEC in 2017 as compared with 2012; however, voter response at this election was poor with feedback emphasising a mobile population and a small amount of time voting available on community. Council looks forward to working with the Northern Territory Electoral Commission and the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory to address ways to foster greater engagement in a manner that complements the unique nature of the region and our demographics.

In September, CDRC also welcomed a new Local Authority in each locality with a total of 72 new or returning appointed members, 91.5% of whom are Indigenous. Early in 2018, LAs will turn their attention to expending their 2017–18 funding as well as focusing on community planning for the short and medium term.

CDRC looks forward to working with our elected and appointed members to continue building strong and sustainable

communities.

School Principal Geoff Gillman presides over Local Authority elections in Anmatjere in August.

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