News Christmas 2013 GUMALA
Aboriginal Corporation ICN 2744
When reading this publication and sharing it with family and friends, please be mindful that it may contain images and/or names of people who have since passed away
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Chairman’s Comment Thunurrdu! It is an honour and privilege to again become the Chairman after 17 years. I have watched with admiration from afar the growth of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) over the past few years and I am deeply impressed with the many programs and services being provided to our people. Our journey has been difficult as we have had to address native title issues outside of Gumala while at the same time putting aside our differences both within and between the three language groups who form Gumala. It is a credit to past GAC Directors that they have been able to guide our organisation during challenging times. I wish to pay tribute to my immediate predecessor former
GAC Chairman Charles Smith
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Chairman Stephen Peterson for his leadership and vision as well as the former board. I look forward to working with our long serving Chief Executive Officer, Steve Mav, to continue the many good works taking place to improve the quality of life and standard of living for all Traditional Owners. During my term as Chairman I intend to work with all Directors to implement the two major Reviews that were undertaken during the year. It is critical to our ongoing success that we carefully evaluate what is working and what needs improving. I am a firm believer in the philosophy of continuous improvement and am committed to maximising grant funding to our members. For example GAC will continue a strategic dialogue with the Trustee of the General Gumala Foundation; Gumala Investments Pty Ltd (GIPL) to explore a ‘merger’ as part of better strategic alignment, cost synergies and a continuation of the ‘Aboriginalisation’ for both the parent company and the independent Trustee. As you peruse our Christmas edition I hope you will acknowledge that the positive impact of our programs being experienced within the membership is as a result of a professional workforce that exists in both Tom Price, our head office and in Perth. I take this opportunity to record my appreciation to each and every staff member who chooses to work in a fast paced, growing and dynamic Aboriginal organisation and now one of the largest in Australia. 2014 will indeed be a busy year! The new board of directors has a heavy workload ahead and we hope and trust that we will meet your expectations and not let you down. On behalf of my fellow Directors I wish you the Season’s Greetings and for those of our Members participating, a happy and successful Lore Season.
Best Wishes Charles Smith
News is a Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2744) publication. Contact Gumala News: Newsletter Editor: Natasha Turfrey Email: enews@gumala.com.au Contributions: Elly Lukale
FRONT COVER PHOTO: Roma Butcher and Ashlyn Hughes. Photo by Elly Lukale, GAC
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CHARLES SMITH Chairman - Banyjima
BEVERLEY HUBERT Director - Banyjima
CECIL PARKER Director - Innawonga
JAHNA CEDAR Director - Nyiyaparli
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STUART INGIE SNR Deputy Chair - Innawonga
MAY BYRNE Director - Banyjima
KEN INGIE SNR Director - Innawonga
LISA COFFIN Director - Nyiyaparli
ROY TOMMY Secretary - Innawonga
KAREN TOMMY Director - Banyjima
BRIAN TUCKER Director - Nyiyaparli
SUSAN BUNG Director - Nyiyaparli
News
CHRISTMAS 2013 OUR TRADITIONAL OWNERS
Delvene Hicks, Archie Tucker, Ronnelle Hicks, Cecilia Parker, Caroline Parker and Johnnell Parker at their induction
Building capacity at GAC GUMALA Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) has unveiled its “Traditional Owner Capacity Building Strategy (TOCBS)”. Under the new strategy, several Traditional Owners’ have been recruited to the Gumala team in both the Tom Price and Perth offices as part of the Aboriginalisation of GAC. “Together with a professional and committed team of non-Indigenous staff, the greater involvement of Traditional Owners within GAC will strengthen our mission to alleviate poverty, continue to achieve positive outcomes and foster the creation of an Aboriginal culture within the organisation,” said GAC’s CEO Steve Mav.
The new Traditional Owner appointments are as follows: •Ronwyn James – Heritage Service Manager (Tom Price based) •Ronnelle Hicks- Support Manager to the Chief Executive Officer (Tom Price based) •Johnnell Parker – Special Advisor for Indigenous Affairs to the GEPL Managing Director (Tom Price based) •Paula Hicks – Partnerships and Communications Manager (Perth based) •Stephen Peterson – Field Services Manager (Tom Price based) •Juliette Pearce-Tucker – Senior Traditional Owner Advocate (Tom Price based) •Delvene Hicks – Assistant Traditional Owner Advocate (Tom Price based) •Caroline Parker – Youth Services and Cultural Trainer (Perth based) •Patricia Parker – Outreach Coordinator for the Youngaleena Community (Youngaleena community based) •Teeharnee Robinson – Receptionist (Perth based) In addition, Archie Tucker’s role was expanded and he now has the title of Cultural Advisor and Outreach Coordinator for the Wirrillimarra community (Wirrillimarra community based).
The following Traditional Owners are also providing specialist consultancy services: •Julie Walker - Consultant, Health Services Committee (Port Hedland based). GUMALA NEWS 2013 4
CHRISTMAS 2013
News GUMALA ENTERPRISES
Gumala Enterprises wins contracts valued at $17 million September. The facility is set to offer Gumala Members discounted rates and is forecasted to bring training and employment opportunities to Gumala Members. Following the opening of the Tom Price facility, GEPL are currently in the final discussions with FMG to commence light vehicle maintenance works at Christmas Creek.
The Yandi Sustaining Project (YSP) Works on the YSP being executed by GEPL consist of: • Road and access track maintenance; • Light vehicle workshop management; • Waste management services; Gumala Enterprises new truck and earthmoving equipment
GUMALA Enterprises Pty Ltd (GEPL) was awarded a $5 million contract at Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Western Turner Brockman Project (WTBP) in July.
said: “These two contracts, valued at $17 million, represent another significant achievement for our company during these challenging times in the resource industry.
The contract comprises the provision of miscellaneous earthworks across the WTBP by working with RTIO in delivering these works. The project is well underway and is expected to be extended until March 2014.
“We understand our clients’ drivers and believe GEPL is well positioned to continue to deliver safe, cost effective and innovative solutions to our clients.”
Civil & Building Works and Services Works Contract GEPL were also awarded a $12.2 million Civil & Building Works and Services Works contract with Rio Tinto Iron Ore for its Yandi Sustaining Project (YSP) works. GEPL General Manager Daryl Smith
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Light Vehicle Maintenance Works GEPL have forged ahead and partnered with one of Western Australia’s largest automotive groups in a joint venture that will benefit Traditional Owners in the Pilbara. GEPL and DVG Automotive Group opened the doors to their Light Vehicle Maintenance facility in Tom Price in
• Traffic management and vehicle escort; • Material handling management; • Buildings & facilities management; and • Other miscellaneous works. The scope of the YSP is to expand production at Rio Tinto’s Yandicoogina (Yandi) iron ore development from 53 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 56 mtpa. “GEPL over the past 12 months has pursued a diversification strategy, we have completed small design and construct contracts, we have opened a new Light Vehicle Maintenance facility in the Pilbara and continue to grow our Waste Management and Building Maintenance capabilities,” added Daryl.l
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GUMALA SCHOLARSHIPS
Nyiyaparli girl the Indigenous representative at next year’s Youth Week A YOUNG Indigenous student is emerging as a leader for fellow Indigenous youth after being selected as the Indigenous representative for Youth Week 2014 in August. Year 10 student Layneisha Sgro, from the Nyiyaparli language group is the only Indigenous student who has been selected to sit on the Youth Week 2014 advisory board and to sit on the national selection panel for the National Youth Awards. As a judge on the national selection panel she will help select recipients from across Australia for the youth awards. Next year will be the second year that the young Nyiyaparli student has been a part of a youth program.
National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy This year she attended the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA) gathering in Sydney in August.
“I have seen first-hand how drug and alcohol abuse can affect young and old people and the community. I want to see young people make something of themselves and take advantage of opportunities given to them instead,” she added.
Academic role model for other Indigenous students Layneisha who is in her third year at Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) in Perth, is on an Indigenous Youth Leadership Program Scholarship and receives financial assistance from the Gumala Scholarship Program. During her time at PLC Layneisha has been making the most of the opportunities available to her. In 2012, she was awarded an Academic Excellence Award for Humanities. In June this year she attended a science camp at the University of Western Australia and attended another science camp in Adelaide later in the year.
NIYLA brings 50 students from across the nation to campaign about issues they are passionate about.
A young leader’s advice to fellow Indigenous Youth
Layneisha, along with eight others, campaigned for Australians to become more educated about the facts that surround asylum seekers and refugees.
As an emerging leader, Layneisha’s advice to other Indigenous youth is that if you want to do something in your life take the opportunities that come your way.
“I chose that topic because it’s a subject everyone has an opinion about but I believe people need to know the facts before they make an opinion,” Layneisha said. However, a topic closer to her heart is encouraging Indigenous youth to break the cycle of alcohol and drug abuse.
“I never thought I would have the opportunity to go to a school like Presbyterian Ladies’ College. They don’t have schools like this in Broome and I never imagined I would be able to go to a school like this but now I am and I am finding that I am able to do this and I have opportunities in my life.
Layneisha Sgro was selected as the Indigenous representative for Youth Week 2014 “If you want to do something in your life, it is okay because of the scholarships and opportunities that are available. You can do a lot of things and you can get the same opportunities that I am getting,” she said. Applications for Gumala Education Scholarships can be accessed on the Gumala website: www.gumala.com.au/ member-services l GUMALA NEWS 2013 6
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News GUMALA SCHOLARSHIPS
Pilbara Girl makes her mark in the Big Apple at New York Fashion Week FROM THE Pilbara to the Big Apple and back again, one of Gumala’s young Indigenous women has impressed fashion designers in the United States after being invited to model on the runway at New York Fashion Week in September. Year 12 student, Lisa Marie Rodd, travelled to New York to take up the invitation to model for Australian Fashion Designer Ruth Tarvydas’s show. Lisa was offered the opportunity along with fellow Indigenous model, Jahlana Roe, through the IF Foundation in Roebourne. Lisa is a Gumala Scholarship student and Gumala supported her through our scholarship funding program to participate in New York Fashion Week. Speaking to Gumala News from her home in Karratha for the first time since she returned from New York, Lisa said the opportunity to model at New York Fashion Week was a great experience. “It was a great opportunity to go to New York. It is different from the Pilbara, it was a huge change but it was fun,” she said.
The glitz and glamour of the ‘Big Apple’ For the 17 year old, the opportunity to model at New York Fashion Week not only gave Lisa the opportunity to embark on her first overseas trip, but also her first fashion week and international event. International fashion photographer and founder of Nomad Two Worlds, Russell James, also organised for the young models to meet famous photographers and successful women
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Lisa Marie Rodd at New York Fashion Week in the industry including Victoria Secret’s CEO, Sharen Turney and fashion designer, Donna Karan, who has included the girls in her winter collection after they met with her for a photo shoot. “I love Donna Karan’s designs. They are really beautiful,” Lisa said. The girls were also given a tour of the Victoria Secret Building and given the opportunity to visit Brooklyn School where they were given talks by inspirational role models and exposed to different cultures and stories.
Pilbara Girl 2012 Lisa’s modelling career took flight when she was discovered after winning Pilbara Girl last year. You can read more about Pilbara Girl in the Gumala News Christmas Edition, 2012 via www. gumala.com.au/about-us/news/ Since the New York modelling experience, Lisa has also received local and national media coverage. In an interview with the ABC Lisa stated: “The only modelling I have experienced before was Pilbara Girl so it was a big step.”
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GUMALA SCHOLARSHIPS
OUR ELDERS
Gumala’s Education Assistance Programs Gumala is extremely proud of its Members and Members’ children who are receiving quality education thanks to their dedication, highly From left: Lisa Marie Rodd and Victoria’s Secret Model Karlie Kloss with Jahlana Roe and photographer Russell james.
supportive families, and
A front line of family support
assistance.
While in New York, Lisa was accompanied by one of her biggest supporters, her Nanna, Banyjima Traditional Owner and Gumala Member, Kaye Jones. “I was really proud of Lisa taking the opportunity to model at New York Fashion Week. She did extremely well. I was pleased I was able to go with her and support her with all her fashion shoots, meeting the photographers and the tours to Victoria Secret and Brooklyn School. “Thank you to Gumala for your support to make the New York City experience happen,” Kaye said. Lisa added: “It felt really good to have my Nanna come all the way to New York to support me. She was very supportive and for her it was her first international flight. It felt pretty special that she did that for me and I was happy she was able to come with me.” Lisa’s mother and Gumala Member, Sally White, spoke to Gumala News about how she is “the proudest mother in the world.” “She has come a long way since the Pilbara Girl competition last year. This was a big opportunity for her. I know she
was a bit nervous and excited before she left for New York. She has done really well and she is a good role model for other girls in the community.”
Making her mark on Western Australia: Perth Fashion Festival Back on home soil, Lisa was selected to model at the Perth Fashion Festival in September where she got to meet Australian model Samantha Harris. “I want to thank Gumala for supporting my dream and for the funding support that I have received to make this dream come true,” Lisa said. “It is good that Gumala supports various goals and dreams Members wish to achieve after school with the help of scholarships for different pathways they want to take, not just university scholarships.” “Young Members should know that whatever aspirations in life you have you can make it happen. You just need to follow them, work hard, don’t give up, have passion, have respect and believe in yourself. You can achieve anything. If you want to travel to New York like I did, it can happen. There are organisations like Gumala that can help you to achieve anything.” l
Gumala’s education funding
Gumala Members and their children can access quality education through Gumala’s education funding assistance. The Education Assistance programs help with the cost of educational items such as fees, book lists, stationery, uniforms and school lunches. This funding support spans the following individual programs: •
Early Childhood Assistance
•
Primary Education Assistance
•
Secondary Education Assistance
•
Tertiary Education Assistance
•
Scholarship Assistance
•
Country Week Assistance
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CHRISTMAS 2013
News OUR COMPUTER PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
Young Nicholas learns faster with a little extra help EXTRA TUITION and educational Apps on the iPad are helping a young Banyjima student come along in “leaps and bounds” in his school work over the past few months. Ten year old Gumala Education student, Nicholas Vince, has been working hard at private tuition lessons to help improve his spelling, phonetics, reading and maths after falling behind in his learning after he was diagnosed with Glue Ear. This year Gumala has paid for Nicholas to receive extra tuition through Dr Lillian Fawcett’s ‘Cracking AbCode’ program. Earlier in the year Nicholas attended tuition lessons once a week for an hour and in August he started in the intensive course for two hours a week. “It’s absolutely brilliant. After the first few weeks of attending the classes he was able to spell words he never could spell before like “domineering” and “daughter”. It’s amazing how many new words he has been able to learn to spell in such a short time,” his mother, Gumala Member, Rebecca Vince (nee Hicks), said.
A case of “Glue Ear” When Nicholas was in kindergarten the doctors diagnosed him with Glue Ear, which is a build-up of fluid inside the middle ear behind the ear drum. Glue Ear, also known as Otitis Media (ear disease), is a common cause of temporary hearing loss in children. It is estimated to affect up to 91 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in remote communities. Left untreated ear disease can lead to deafness. Having identified the problem, Nicholas was given grommets (tiny
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Nicholas Vince hard at work with his iPad pieces of plastic ventilation which sits inside the ear drum and allows air to circulate and drain the fluid from the ear canal). However, once the grommets were fitted in Nicholas’s ears, he had to wait a year before surgery. In between that time his ability to hear correctly in school put him behind in learning the sounds of words, which have since impacted upon his ability to spell, sound out words, read and to complete maths. “It is really important that if parents suspect that their child is suffering with glue ear that they take them to the doctor straight away. If in doubt, go again. We had to go back several times because one day it was fine and then the next week he couldn’t hear. “The longer you wait to take your child to the doctor, the longer it takes for the operation. “For Nicholas it was nearly a year before he had the operation and within that year he fell behind in school
because he couldn’t hear properly and that was an important time in school because they were learning how to spell and sound out words,” Rebecca said.
Tuition Lessons and App Learning The extra tuition lessons are also complimented with an iPad provided by Gumala through the Computer Support Program. “The iPad is amazing. He is able to play spelling games on the Apps such as Spelling Bingo and there are games that teach him to spell out the names of vegetables. He’s come along in leaps and bounds in his spelling since he’s received the tuition,” said Rebecca. This year Nicholas is in year four and his favourite subject is art. As his hard work is paying off, he has high hopes for the future with aspirations of becoming either a policeman, truck driver or to work in the family tree nursery business.
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OUR COMPUTER PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
“Gumala’s funding support has been amazing in helping him progress with his learning. Without Gumala’s support I don’t know where he would be in the education system,” Rebecca added. Last year Gumala was a part of a National Indigenous Ear Health Campaign which aimed to raise awareness of Otitis Media (OM) and loss of hearing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
As part of the campaign, Gumala Radio visited our Aboriginal communities where ear health sessions were conducted and local children recorded ear health messages for Gumala Radio.
www.gumala.com.au/about-us/news/ gumala-news-magazines
If you wish to read more about Gumala’s role in the ear health campaign download the Gumala News Christmas 2012 edition via the Gumala website:
For more information visit: www.gumala.com.au/memberservicesl
Applications for the Computer Support Program can be accessed on the Gumala website.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
From left: Paula Hicks, Shane Derschow and Julie Walker
Gumala attends key health conference THREE nominated Gumala representatives attended the National Indigenous Health Conference in Cairns in November. Julie Walker, Shane Derschow and Paula Hicks attended the three day conference. The conference provided Gumala with the opportunity to meet key stakeholders from organisations and health services across the nation and hear about cutting edge projects that are being rolled out across Australia to make a difference to the health
of Aboriginal people in remote communities. Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s Partnerships and Communications Manager, Paula Hicks said that the conference provided Gumala with the opportunity to network with potential stakeholders at the cutting edge of Aboriginal Health and form meaningful partnerships that will benefit the Traditional Owners. “Addressing health outcomes for its Members is a target for Gumala. The conference was beneficial in that it
helped us to build relationships with potential partners who can help us to address the health needs of our Members and it provided us with an opportunity to hear about what other organisations and health professionals are doing across Australia. “What we did find was that a lot of the key note speakers were in line with the programs and services we have already developed which reinforced for us that we are on the right track to achieving positive health outcomes for our Traditional Owners,” said Paula. l GUMALA NEWS 2013 10
CHRISTMAS 2013
News EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Gumala mum talks about the 3A program’s success IN THE heart of Wakuthuni, a small Aboriginal community 28km South East of Tom Price in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, Gumala’s innovative 3A (Abecedarian Approach Australia) pilot program is transforming the lives of young Aboriginal children. The 3A program was established in 2011 as part of a collaboration between Gumala, Tom Price Primary School and the University of Melbourne based at the Early Childhood Centre at Gumala’s homeland Wakuthuni Community. The aim of the program is to provide high level early childhood support and education for young Gumala children aged 0-5 years through learning games, conversational reading and enriched care giving. These skills are said to ultimately equip the children with the skills and knowledge in order for them to graduate on to primary and secondary schooling and later on to university with the goal to close the significant gap in education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Since its conception, the program has improved the educational outcomes of children living in both the Wakuthuni community and surrounding communities. For one family alone, the benefits of the 3A program are already starting to show through the improvement of learning and social skills and the mother’s empowerment to become involved and support her children’s early learning. Innawonga woman and mother of five, Nicarla Barney, currently has one son who is enrolled in the 3A program, Kosta Carey (3). Kosta has been enrolled in the program since it started and Nicarla has recently started bringing along her youngest son, Kobey Carey (7 months) when she attends the centre. Since Kosta has attended the centre Nicarla has seen the benefits that the
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Innawonga mother, Nicarla Barney, pictured with her sons Kosta Carey (left) and Koby Carey (right) program has provided for him. His attendance at the centre has sparked his interest in reading books and learning while developing his social skills. “Kosta loves his school. He never used to like books and now he likes reading books. He never used to share and now he is getting along with others. He’s learnt a lot of respect. He is very good with books and painting. He likes the games Mrs Rice plays. It has been good for him and he has learnt a lot,” Nicarla said. Evidence from research has identified that from conception to age five significant brain developments and neural structuring occurs. From birth, the first three years of life are very important developmental periods for the developing brain of a child. The experiences children have during this time determine whether a child’s developing brain architecture provides a strong or weak foundation for learning, behaviour and health. During this period, life-long social participation and productivity is established. 3A Early Childhood teacher, Mary Rice said the 3A program was helping Kosta get ready
for school. “Kosta’s readiness to start school has come a long way. His maths and questioning skills have improved. His mum has also been really good at teaching him discipline and social skills.” A vital component of the program is recognising the importance of parents as a child’s first teacher and empowering them to support their children’s learning by carrying out the activities taught in the centre. Gumala’s General Manager Education, Lynne Beckingham, said: “The 3A program acknowledges that families are the first teachers in a young child’s life. When parents and family Members adopt the 3A approach, the children progress quickly and their learning becomes stronger.” Since Kosta has been involved in 3A, Nicarla has supported his learning by carrying out the learning games and skills taught in the centre. “The program is straight forward. It feels very good for myself and good for Kosta,” Nicarla added. l
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Funding grant for 3A expansion secured Gumala Aboriginal Corporation has secured funding from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to assist with the expansion of the 3A program to Youngaleena and Paraburdoo. Earlier this year Gumala was awarded $78k which was used towards encouraging parents and caregivers at Wakuthuni, Youngaleena and Paraburdoo to become involved in the Early Childhood Centre as part of Gumala’s Pilbara Parents Engaging in Early Years Learning – 3A Project. “The project is focused on the parents of children 0-5 years of age using the 3A Abecedarian Approach introduced at
the Wakuthuni Early Childhood Centre in 2012. The approach involves building the knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence of parents to interact with their children using learning strategies incorporating: educational games, enriched care giving and conversational reading. “The project also supports a community champion in each location to model the 3A approach and provide ongoing daily guidance to parents involved in the activity. The champions will initially model and reinforce parents’ practice in conversational reading and aim to progressively incorporate the other elements over the course of the project,” Gumala’s General Manager Education, Lynne Beckingham said.
The project, which is due to be implemented in three stages, will see the growth and support of parental engagement in a culturally appropriate context at the 3A centre at Wakuthuni, followed by the opening of the model in Paraburdoo with the support of the local primary school in November and thirdly, establish the involvement of the parents at Youngaleena in conjunction with the Youngaleena Community Centre. l
3A Learning Game Activity: Roll the ball How to play:
The roll the ball game teaches your child an easy form of cooperation which will help prepare him/her in learning how to play with other children. This game can be played with two or more people.
• Sit opposite your child on the floor with legs open wide. Sit close enough so that the ball will not roll away. • Roll the ball slowly towards the child making sure he/she catches it. • Encourage him/her to roll it back to you. i.e. “It’s your turn to roll the ball back to me” • Use positive and encouraging statements about the game. i.e. “That was a good roll,” or “It’s my turn to roll the ball back to you, we are taking turns.”
Challenge: As your child progresses with the game, sit further apart from him/her to further challenge the child’s skills with the ball. You can add to the game to make it more interesting. i.e. By adding more players or adding objects such as a chair to roll the ball under. GUMALA NEWS 2013 12
CHRISTMAS 2013
News EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
GAC’s “3A” early childhood centre expands to Paraburdoo GUMALA Aboriginal Corporation opened its new “3A” early childhood centre in Paraburdoo in November. The new “3A” (Abecedarian Approach Australia) school will utilise the same pioneering Early Childhood 3A Program that was specifically designed for Gumala’s founding 3A Centre at the Wakuthuni community. Innawonga Elder and Gumala Member, Roma Butcher, has been appointed as a teacher at the centre which will be open every Wednesday and Thursday from 10.40 am – 12.40 pm, opposite the school’s art room. Gumala Members with children aged 0-5 years old are encouraged to enrol their children at the centre to enable them to attend weekly sessions. Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s Education Manager Lynne Beckingham said: “The opening of our new 3A Early Childhood Centre in Paraburdoo has come about for two key reasons. Firstly, subsequent to the outstanding success of 3A in Wakuthuni, Gumala is following through on our plan to strategically roll out 3A in towns and communities throughout the Pilbara, and a centre in Paraburdoo is part of that strategy. Secondly, the new centre has come to fruition thanks to our partnership with Paraburdoo Primary School and an important funding contribution from the Department of Education and the Department of Employment (DEEWR) Parental Community Engagement (PaCE).” Roma said: “I am absolutely thrilled. I am a retired kindergarten teacher and this is just what I have wanted, to teach young Aboriginal children in our communities through Gumala. It is starting to happen now, this is just the initial stages.
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Roma Butcher, GAC’s Education Field Services Officer, Bromwyn Haworth, Stacey Coffin and baby Alistair Coffin, Shannon Parker and Ashlyn Hughes I also have the support from daughters, my grandchildren and I am now teaching my little great grandchildren, my little Yayu’s.”
The 3A education revolution 3A has been a ground breaking project given the increasing awareness of the significance of early childhood education in setting children’s learning trajectories and closing the education gap.
The 3A approach uses learning strategies which incorporate educational games, conversational reading and enriched care giving. The approach also assists parents by educating them about appropriate care-giving and learning activities for their children. 3A is a unique early childhood learning initiative resulting from the strategic partnership between Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (Gumala), the WA Education
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
School of Education and Tom Price Primary School in order to establish the 3A education program. Mary Rice has been the 3A teacher at the Wakuthuni Early Childhood Centre for two years. She said she has witnessed how 3A has developed children’s educational and emotional skills. “The fact that the program has expanded is great. The 3A has been successful in making noticeable changes educationally, socially and emotionally in children at the Wakuthuni centre. It justifies the expansion of the program.
GAC’s Education Field Services Officer, Bromwyn Haworth and Ashlyn Hughes
Next year approximately five children will graduate on to kindergarten and they already know their name, colours, what counting is and their language has improved.”
GAC’s investment in education strengthens The opening of Gumala’s second 3A centre comes off the back of a successful 2013 Financial Year. During the 2013 Financial Year, GAC spent $1.7 million on educational funding support for Gumala’s Members and their children.
Alistair Coffin and Shannon Parker Department and The University of Melbourne.
The pioneering model: Wakuthuni 3A Centre The first 3A Centre at Wakuthuni involved the bespoke design and construction of the early childhood education facility at Wakuthuni and was the first of its kind in WA (and one of the first of its kind in Australia) to implement
the 3A approach. The project was commissioned at the request of the local community, who identified a need to improve the educational and developmental outcomes of their children. The project was done in partnership with The University of Melbourne’s School of Architecture, Building and Planning. Gumala then collaborated with The University of Melbourne Graduate
This funding support (spanning Early Childhood Education, Primary School Education, High School Education and Tertiary Education) accompanied key Gumala Education achievements including; a doubling in the number of Year 12 graduates, Traineeship expenditure of $278,000, an increase of 225 per cent on the previous Financial Year and the launch of the Early Childhood Assistance program. Gumala Aboriginal Corporation wishes to acknowledge DEEWR (PaCE) and the West Pilbara Communities for Children for their support of 3A. l
GUMALA
Aboriginal GUMALA NEWS 2013 14 Corporation ICN 2744
CHRISTMAS 2013
News COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
During construction: the Youngaleena Community Centre
New multi purpose Community Centre completed at remote homeland community THE DELIVERY and onsite construction of a multi purpose community centre at one of Gumala’s Traditional Owners’ remote homeland communities has been completed. Over the course of 2013, Gumala has been committed to building a community centre at the Youngaleena Community to provide a shared space to house School of the Air lessons, a 3A Early Childhood Centre, as well as other functional community uses such as dental health, paediatric support, cultural initiatives and cultural gatherings.
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School of the Air Lessons “At the Youngaleena community, early childhood education was available only through ‘School of the Air’, which was held sporadically in a lounge room of a community resident,” said Gumala’s General Manager Community Development, Grant Divall. “Port Hedland School of the Air (PHSOTA) provides educational services to children living in remote and isolated locations in the Pilbara region of WA,” Grant said. “PHSOTA caters for the educational needs of isolated children from Kindergarten to Year 7, who do not
have access to a mainstream school,” he said. “Teachers communicate with their students daily via on-line conferencing satellite technology. Students complete Learning Programmes put together by their teachers and return them to the school for assessment, feedback and rewards. Home Tutor Seminars, Mini Camps and Teacher Home Visits are highlights of each school year. “The project also expands on Gumala’s highly successful 3A (Abecedarian Approach Australia) program, which is a recognised approach to Early Childhood Education that we have implemented at our
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Wakuthuni community in partnership with the University of Melbourne,” added Grant.
Community Centre provided training opportunities for Members Gumala’s Community Development team worked closely with the Youngaleena community on the project, which provided residents with the opportunity to assist with the construction process including hands-on training opportunities (such as earthworks, building labour, landscaping and horticulture). “The skills gained by the Members participating in this project, particularly the fencing, landscaping and paving, will equip them for future work opportunities and create a skilled workforce that Gumala will draw upon repeatedly in future housing construction projects in the region.”
“It is anticipated Gumala Members (Traditional Owners) will participate in TAFE training leading to certificates in Construction and Horticulture as part of the construction of the Youngaleena project,” said Grant. The majority of Youngaleena Traditional Owners and local Members were employed in some capacity during construction.
Indigenous Land Corporation funding Gumala secured funding grants worth a combined $85,000 to assist with the associated building costs. In July, Gumala was awarded a $79,800 grant by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) which was used to assist with associated costs that include concrete slabs, landscaping, reticulation and fencing for the centre.
Community Waste Grant Community Waste Grant Gumala also received a community waste grant of $5000 to kick start the “From Food Scraps to Fertilizer” project at Youngaleena. The “From Food Scraps to Fertilizer” funding grant, awarded under round one of the State Government’s Community Grants Scheme for 2013, contributed towards the cost of: six compost tumblers, eight chickens along with a coop, gardening tools, and the purchase of scrap materials to make a storage shed for the gardening equipment and garden products. Gumala envisages that over time, the chickens will convert the organic waste into a fertiliser. The fertiliser will provide the community with a sustainable organic cycle that will produce healthy foods, fresh eggs, reduce waste and reduce greenhouse gases. l
Back row: Bruce Mahy, Natalie Parker, Simon Liddell, Silas Gibson, Front row: Thelma Parker, Alessandro Scarcella and Laurissa Bobby GUMALA NEWS 2013 16
CHRISTMAS 2013
News IN PROFILE
Banyjima Elder Marianne Tucker’s story
M
y name is Marianne Tucker, I am a Milangka woman. I am from the Banyjima tribe and I’m from the Wirrillimarra clan. My dad’s name was Percy Tucker and my mum’s name was Nana Walley. They were both the youngest on both of their sides of my grandparents. I was born in 1959 in the old Roebourne hospital. I grew up all around the Mulga Downs station area. I grew up with my late aunty, Elsie Tucker, “Gumble Garra” which means a “Cook.” She was a cook there for all the workers, musterers and all of the men that worked on the station. She was there first at Mulga Down when the late Jim Houghes and his wife, Laura, son Steve and daughter named Deborah were on Mulga Downs station. Other Aboriginal families were there while I was there with my aunty, my brother Guiness, my sister-in-law Noddy, Guiness Gilby and their children, my nieces and nephews. My second oldest niece passed away. There’s only a few of them left now. The oldest one was Alice, Nancy (dec) and the youngest were Clifford, Nicki, Kevin, Esther, Janice, Barabara (dec) and Billy (dec). I grew up with them on Mulga Downs station. They had a house there next door to the homestead and I lived in a little house with my aunty which is still there standing today. My cousin, Milton Lockyer, was married to my thoordoo, Peggy Douglas. His brother-in-law Tim Douglas and Tim’s wife, Beverly, she was his sister, were there too. He worked there as a musterer and a station worker. He and my brother, Guiness, and my other two brothers were Allan Long Snr and my big brother named Laurie Wilson. He was my first cousin, my mum’s oldest brother’s son.
17 GUMALA NEWS 2013
Banyjima Elder Marianne Tucker My mum was the “little aunty,” being the youngest member of the Wally family. Aside from them, there was only my father, his big brother, Alec Tucker’s father, Raymond Tucker and his wife. They were the only three remaining after everyone else left Mulga Downs.
Wittenom Township Dad put us in Roebourne hostel in
the 60s to make sure that we had a good education. All of my nephews and nieces were there but they were living in Wittenoom first when Wittenoom Township was still going. The shops and everything were running and the old picture garden where we used to go on Saturday’s to watch the movies. We had a good life in the bush. We weren’t a problem to our older people.
CHRISTMAS 2013
News
IN PROFILE
We were put there to live while they were doing all the hard work (on the station), and we used to go back there for school holidays. Out of my family there was Gladys, Marnmu, Patsy then me and then Juliette, Michael and Caroline. Dad married mum Bonny, his second wife. They had Brian, Rex and Weston and Carol, Beverly and Charlie the youngest. But there were only the three older boys we had, Brian, Rex and Weston. The others weren’t born yet.
Life on Mulga Downs Station We stayed on Mulga Downs. There were other families working there but they all left. Before dad worked on the station at Mulga Downs he used to work at the Wittenoom asbestos mine in the 50s. That was his first job. He was a truck driver. I was told that around Wittenoom and Mulga Downs was his father’s traditional area. It belonged to the Tuckers, to our grandfather, Jacob Tucker. His father is Wirrillimarra Bob Tucker. We used to walk from Mulga Down to George Mill which is where Youngaleena Community is now built. Mulga Downs is about 50 kilometres out of Wittenoom. We used to get our water from the wind mill at George Mill. We knew the land very well and we used to take food with us. Walking the land was easy compared to walking around these days. Everything was done quickly. We used to just lie down and sleep under the gum trees. We would take a hat and water. Life was a lot better on the stations back then; we were away from all of the problems and all of the bad things. That was when I was a young school girl back in the 60s. I had to go to Primary school in Roebourne. I went to Karratha Senior High School back in the early 70s. I didn’t know anything about work and training but later on a lot of people helped us to get further education. When I left school I had to do training in Pundulmarra College. On school holidays, we used to catch the mail truck back home.
Coolawanya Station Long before the 70s and 80s I was still growing up in Wittenoom. Dad worked from Mulga Downs and then he moved to Coolawanya station. The two brothers used to work together, live together and helped one another and looked after the Elders, although our living conditions weren’t good in those days and we didn’t have a hot water system. We had to boil the water in the old flour drum and had to take it for our shower. We used to have water bags to keep our water cool. We had to cook outside on the fire and the only stove we cooked on was the wood stove. I used to have a dog called Bill, he was dingo breed. My Aunty used to talk to him in language and he could understand. Back in the middle of the 60s, we travelled around a lot because dad had a job as a Government Dogger. We lived there in the bush. That was home. Growing up around there was a good experience. It made me more aware that the bush was a better life than what it is now. In 1976, I was only 17 and I did my training at Pundulmarra College. After that I wanted to do more. I was doing odd jobs around town. In 1984, I did a business management course.
Developing the Bindi Bindi Community Then I got a job in Bindi Bindi Community in Onslow working as a book keeper and secretary. I helped set up a lot of projects for over 10 years. Onslow Community was very good in those days. Everyone was happy because they were all working around the community. In 1996 I had a stroke. But before that I helped set up a lot of projects in Bindi Bindi. I started meals on wheels projects. My big sister Wardu cooked for the old people in the kitchen, I helped set up a crèche centre and we both helped set up gardening and silk screening with my niece Beverley Hubert. Beverley was the leading hand and in charge of the silk screening project on t-shirts. On some of the sheets we
printed we had to put down all of our skin colours. People would come in to the community and have a look around at the work shop and we sold quite a lot of prints. I wanted to set up an administration office so people could come and see us from the Government. The old screening shop is still there standing today. Young people today need to help set up the community again. Today the community is not registered. In 1996 I had a stroke which left me paralysed down the left side of my body. While I was in Roebourne hospital in 1997 I was in a wheelchair and I hated it but I never gave up. I never gave up because I was thinking about the community and a lot of people who need help.
Life as we know it today Today, I have learnt a lot from the past because the past is where I grew up and where I became independent and worked. In my way as an Elder, I have been brought up to respect people and I would like to encourage the young people to be the same. To work, to have confidence, and have motivation to be able to be strong and stand on their own and be proud of themselves and not to be ashamed of who they are because I grew up with knowledge from my Elders first after I had all the good education and to further education, like I did. This encouraged me more which is why I have motivation and have been an independent person. Don’t be afraid to stand up and to speak up. They have to learn their culture and their language. You have to know the Lore and Culture and speak the language. You have to know your identity. I’m talking as a Milangka, Banyjima Elder and Traditional Owner. If the young people come to know all the knowledge they will have a better life. They will find out it’s better to live and work out in the bush. Give them the confidence, motivation and self-esteem. Now it’s up to us, the young people to take over now. l GUMALA NEWS 2013 18
CHRISTMAS 2013
Special Consultation Meeting Port Hedland, 26 October 2013 Approximately 400 Gumala Members and their families attended the Special Consultation Meeting on Saturday 26 October 2013 in Port Hedland.
Elijah Cox, Shirlene Cox, Carol-Anne Tucker, Lauren Lyndon and Dallas Hayes
Paul Lennon and Stuart Ingie Snr
Mary Mills, Mia Ansey and Patricia Ansey
Erica Bedford, Tessie Taylor, Tenielle Taylor, Eric Bedford, Tynarra Taylor, Azia Cook and Jazniqua Taylor
Michelle Hubert and Charmaine Parker
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Gina Lee, Kaitlyn Kelly, Kirsten Cox, Roharni Cox and Sharona Black
Stephen Peterson and Steve Mav
David Cox
Weston Tucker
Sally White and Dynah Derschow
Joanne Jacob, Thomasina Hubert, Mary James, Daykota Wedge and Elijah Cox
Terina Tucker and Jeszierha Cox
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CHRISTMAS 2013
Special Consultation Meeting Port Hedland, 26 October 2013
David MacLean Thomasina Hubert, Jason Jnr Parker, Geon Sampi, Kyla Hubert, Bonita Cox, Tiffany Hubert and Maureen James
James Narrier and Gorden Yuline
Dorris Mitchel, Peter Derschaw, Stuart Ingie Snr and Darren Derschaw
Dorethy James, Joanne Jacob, Mary James, Kirsten Cox, Elijah Cox and Shirleen Cox
Alec Tucker
21
Steve Mav
Mary Steer
Brian Tucker
Carol Lee Tucker and Gil Tucker
The audience at the meeting looks on
Nicholas Armstrong
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CHRISTMAS 2013
Annual General Meeting Port Hedland, 23 November 2013 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation held another successful Annual General Meeting this year. Approximately 400 Members plus their families attended the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) 2013 Annual General Meeting on Saturday 23 November, 2013.
Jai Johnny Ishiguchi and Samuel Ishiguchi
Janice Hail and Alberta Roy
Issac Kennedy
Tajarae Jeakings, Paula White, Charlie Jeakings and Ben Jeakings
23
Jickaysha Long, Tajarae Jeakings, Jermayaha Paul
Erica Paul and Jermason Long
Carol Tucker, Gill Bobby and Marshall Bobby
Tayden Martin, Keith Hall, Timeesha Martin, Rebecca Martin, Jermason Long
Shikira Yuline
Roharni Simpson and Annabell Simpson
Sharona Black, Yvette Black, Vynka Mallard and Kira Mitchell
Tajarae Jeakings
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CHRISTMAS 2013
News BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Gumala Member, Michael Dann
Banyjima man launches cultural awareness and training website
A GUMALA Member launched an online E-Learning Cultural Awareness website in September through the help of Gumala’s Business Development Program. Banyjima man and master-mind of the website ‘Ripple Learning’, Michael Dann, established the learning website earlier this year when he noticed a gap in cultural awareness training between companies and employees.
from across the three language groups (Banyjima, Innawonga and Nyiyaparli) and is specific to the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
the site and choose a cultural awareness presentation from a language group that is specific to the area in which they are mining,” Michael added.
“Being a Traditional Owner, I can see that the website will be desirable for companies to buy into a package that delivers cross cultural awareness that has been created by a Traditional Owner from each of the language groups.
“The beauty of the courses also lie in their flexibility for clients and their employees to access them without requiring a course deliverer or course material. The tutorials can also be accessed any time that suits the client which gives them the freedom to manage their time and workload during their day.
“I have worked in the mining industry for a number of years and I have seen how much of a need there is for an online Cultural Awareness package and to actually be able to evaluate the viewers learning progression of the course,” Michael said.
“There are a lot of similarities between the three language groups. The way of life is the same within each group but there are some differences too and each group has different stories and different unique landmarks that may hold special significance to the group.
Ripple Learning is an online training provider that features 40-45 minute courses via animated cultural awareness presentations delivered by various Traditional Owners through narration
“The various courses delivered by different Traditional Owners from each of the language groups will also give multinational mining companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP the flexibility to access
25 GUMALA NEWS 2013
“Companies will be able to save by having the flexibility to conduct their own cultural awareness to their employees, and it will also be less time consuming as it can be conducted on site, at work or even at home rather than being booked in to the city,” he said. Michael received funding assistance from Gumala for the initial set up of the training website. l
CHRISTMAS 2013
News
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Family business continues to cater for Broome’s multicultural palate OVER THE last five years Australia has seen a surge of national cooking programs such as Master Chef Australia, Ready Steady Cook and My Kitchen Rules rise to popularity and fill our television screens. Since then, we have seen traditional family recipes mixed with a passion for cooking become almost part of popculture as food lovers strive to be the next Master Chef. But for one Gumala Member, catering for a large group of people is a lifestyle. In fact, Nyiyaparli Traditional Owner Katie Pigram has even made a career out of it in Broome. Katie started her business ‘Nuff4Feed Catering’ when opportunity came knocking and she inherited the family business from her husband’s Aunt, Erica Pigram, at the beginning of this year. For 20 years Mrs Pigram had run the family business (with Katie’s help over the last few years) until she retired at the beginning of the year and moved to Queensland. Nuff4Feed Catering provides high quality local food for events in Broome and is gaining popularity with local Indigenous businesses including: Goolarri Media Enterprise, Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation, Yawuru Aboriginal Corporation, Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and the Kimberley Stolen Generation Corporation. She has also picked up catering for several local primary schools and during NAIDOC celebrations she donates food to schools. “Being a 100 percent Indigenous owned business gives me a distinctive competitive advantage as no other Indigenous person offers similar catering services,” Katie said.
A day in the life of a caterer Katie’s days begin before the crack of dawn at 4am where in her industrial stainless steel kitchen she begins the preparation for her morning tea deliveries. A mother of four to Douglas (12), Leah, (9), MD-noor (5), and Margaret (4), Katie’s early starts give her enough time to prepare her food before her children are awake. She then swaps to mother role, preparing school lunches and dropping the children off to school before returning to finish the catering for the rest of the day.
A recipe for success
through the Business Development Program. Recently, Gumala also assisted her with the purchase of a catering van. “Gumala have been wonderful, they helped me set up my stainless steel benches in the kitchen we built for my catering,” she stated. While Katie admits that starting her own business was a career path she never saw herself going down, she encourages other Members to “give it a shot!” “I never thought I would start my own business. I was a bit nervous but don’t worry too much because things always have a way of working out and if not you can always try something else.” l
While Katie admits she doesn’t cook culturally specific food, she agrees she has always been passionate about cooking. The recipes she cooks have been handed down to her by her aunt and her mother, who also loved to cook. “Broome is a multicultural place. There are many cultures here. Aunty Erica’s family are of Filipino and Aboriginal descent and her recipes have been influenced from the past and passed down. “I cook a lot of noodle stir fries, chilli fish and curries which are very popular here in Broome,” Katie added. Back in her kitchen in the family home her favourite dish to cook is Kangaroo tail. “I grew up in Carnarvon so every time we go back there we stock up on Kangaroo tails. I enjoy cooking it because the kids love to eat it and it always brings back good memories of home.”
Gumala’s Business Development Program Earlier this year Katie received initial support from Gumala to install her stainless steel benches and sinks
Katie Pilgram catering for businesses in Broome from her industrial kitchen GUMALA NEWS 2013 26
CHRISTMAS 2013
News BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Keith Hall opens up about branching out into business He is also an active member of the Nyiyaparli Native Title Working Group, as well as a Spokesperson and Advisory Committee Member to assist special administrators in the return of a newly improved Nyiyaparli Corporation. He also carries out archaeological and ethnographical surveys on behalf of mining companies in the Pilbara. Keith saw Gumala as a one-stop-shop to provide business development support and unveiled his business plans to Gumala’s Business Development Specialist in August. It would be the key to start the ball rolling. “A lot of Traditional Owners want to get into business but it is very hard to get the help that they want. With myself, I found Gumala listened, gave me the direction I needed and the support. From a Member’s point of view, Gumala helped me set up my business and to go to the right places,” he said.
Keith Hall opens up about his new business Halls Gardening Service
A RESPECTED Nyiyaparli Traditional Owner, former Chairman of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation and former Director on the GAC Board has branched out to set up his own gardening business in Port Hedland. Always at the forefront of giving back to his people and the community, Keith Hall recently established a business “Halls Gardening Service” and he hopes to be able to continue to serve the Membership through his new found work.
Branching out into local business Hall’s Gardening Service is a 100 percent Indigenous owned business which will provide a garden maintenance service to the Port Hedland and South Hedland area.
27 GUMALA NEWS 2013
Already in the early stages of the company, Keith has secured a contract to maintain the gardens of Gumala Members in Port Hedland and South Hedland.
Continuing to serve the Gumala Membership Now, the family man of three children and four grandchildren is hoping his gardening business will manifest into the start of a family owned enterprise.
“The company is still in its early stages but the goal is to have a viable company and that I will be able to employee and support the Members and be a mentor to other Members,” said Keith.
“For now I will offer services to residents in Hedland but as the company grows my long term goal is to have a crew in Hedland and a crew in Tom Price. As the company grows and expands to Tom Price, I will look to employ fellow Traditional Owners,” he added.
Launching the entrepreneurial dream
“I want to thank Gumala for the support and for giving our Traditional Owners the opportunity to start a business.” l
Over the past few years Keith has kept his entrepreneurial ideas of launching a gardening business on the back burner. Instead, he chose to put his community and the Gumala Membership first whilst serving as a Director on the GAC Board.
GOT A BUSINESS DREAM OF YOUR OWN? For more information visit: www.gumala.com.au/memberservices or call 1800 486 252
CHRISTMAS 2013
News
EDUCATION UPDATE
Gumala advances education initiatives for Traditional Owners GUMALA Education has forged ahead with its advancement in education initiatives for Gumala Members and their children. Since the July edition of Gumala News, Gumala has introduced two new initiatives, received a funding boost and introduced extra transport to allow for more parents and children to attend the Early Childhood Centre at Wakuthuni. Ten schools in the Pilbara region have come on board to assist with an attendance program, which encourages and rewards children for consistent and improved attendance. The key component of the program is to obtain an 80 percent or higher attendance. Each term the school will release the attendance statistics of all students, allowing Gumala to track and monitor the progress of each child. Gumala has also negotiated programs to best suit the individual needs of each school such as:
Transport Gumala has recently begun providing transport to the Wakuthuni community twice a week (on Mondays and Wednesdays), for parents to go out to the learning centre from Tom Price. Joyce Drummond from IBN also travels with the parents and children.
Funding Boost
• Extra tuition
The Wakuthuni Early Childhood Centre received a generous $1600 funding donation from proceeds raised from Tuesday Lockyer’s “Ngurra-Ngarli Arnda – Our Country” painting when it was auctioned off at NAIDOC Week. The painting raised $800 and this was matched by Rio Tinto. The proceeds will be used to purchase items for the centre.
• Hip hop dance classes
Nameless Festival
• Excursions and incursions
Students at the 3A Early Childhood Centre celebrated at the Nameless Festival in Tom Price with a vibrant float which showcased integral activities used in the 3A program.
• Weekly trips to the local pool • Canteen vouchers/pizza days • Certificates
Gumala and IBN working together on 3A A new initiative between Gumala and IBN has seen Joyce Drummond (from IBN) going out to the 3A Early Childhood Centre to work with the parents and children. This initiative between Gumala and IBN will hopefully encourage more parents and children to access the program.
In the weeks leading up to the event, parents, teachers and children at the 3A Early Childhood Centre worked hard to prepare decorations for the float. Rain clouds were stuck along the side of the float showcasing the “see, show, say”
activities from conversational reading used in the program.
EDUCATION REMINDERS Text Books Lists A friendly reminder to all parents that with the end of the year fast approaching please remember to get next year’s book list in as soon as your child receives it from the school to ensure prompt payment. This is especially important as Gumala now have over 900 students registered.
Computer Support program changes Adult Members can now access the Computer Support program regardless of whether they are studying.
Acknowledgements Gumala wishes to acknowledge all students who are part of GAC’s scholarship program. Keep up the great work! We encourage Members who wish to have a story written about them or their children for the Gumala News please contact Natasha Turfrey at Gumala: news@gumala.com.au. Or 1800 486 252 (1800 GUMALA). l GUMALA NEWS 2013 28
CHRISTMAS 2013
News OUR TRAINEES
Gumala’s new trainees make their mark on Yandicoogina Mine GUMALA Aboriginal Corporation (Gumala) employed two new trainees to work on the Pilbara’s iron ore rich mines in October. Gumala Members Dan Falconer (Nyiyaparli) and Peta Derschow (Banyjima), were offered traineeships through Gumala to work for GEPL on the Yandicoogina mine. Peta grew up in Port Hedland and currently lives in Broome. Upon commencement of her traineeship, Peta said she was looking forward to learning new work skills which she hopes will set her up for a work start program and full time employment in the mining industry. Before his traineeship, Dan was an apprentice mechanic which he hopes to continue when he finishes his traineeship. Upon commencement of his traineeship, Dan said he was looking forward to learning new skills and to start a successful career as a heavy diesel mechanic. He also hopes that he will be able to encourage other Traditional Owners
Dan Falconer, Gumala’s Training Manager, Marie Hayes and Peta Derschow to become involved in both Gumala Traineeships on the Yandicoogina mine and in the opportunities that GEPL are offering.
Ronnelle completes external placement at Yandi mine GUMALA Member and employee, Ronnelle Hicks, has completed a three week external placement at both Rio Tinto’s Yandicoogina mine and Dampier Operations as part of her Gumala Training Scheme. Following the successful completion of the placement, Ronnelle will continue in her new position at Gumala as the Support Manager to the Chief Executive Officer. l
29 GUMALA NEWS 2013
If you are interested in a traineeship with Gumala please contact Gumala’s Training Manager, Marie Hayes on 1800 486 252. l
Gumala Members take up Work Start Program opporunity
Left to right: Kiara Mills, Lynlee Gunn, Bethan Johnson, Kenneth Riley, Paula Ellis, Frank Mitchelson Banyjima Traditional Owner, Kiara Mills and Nyiyaparli Traditional Owner, Paula Ellis, both attended Rio Tinto’s Work Start Program in October.l
CHRISTMAS 2013
News
GUMALA WEBSITE
New innovative upgrades to Gumala’s website OVER THE past few months significant upgrades to the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation website have occurred.
Tablet and Smart Phone Optimisation Gumala has recently optimised the viewing of our website for users of hand held devices (tablets, smart phones etc). This will enable users of hand held devices to be able to easily navigate the Gumala website.
New Jobs and Training Page As part of Gumala’s focus on helping Traditional Owners to obtain career and training opportunities inside and outside of Gumala, the careers page on the website has been revamped to include additional opportunities for Gumala Members. The careers page has also been rebranded “Jobs and Training.” Job seekers can access up-to-date jobs and training opportunities across our new additional pages as follows: 1. Jobs at Gumala The ‘Jobs at Gumala’ page features upto-date current job opportunities available at Gumala. www.gumala.com.au/about-us/jobsand-training/jobs-at-gumala 2. Training Opportunities The ‘Training Opportunities’ page includes training opportunities at Gumala for Traditional Owners and other opportunities available for Indigenous people outside of Gumala. www.gumala.com.au/about-us/jobsand-training/training-opportunities
3. Other Career Opportunities The ‘Other Career Opportunities’ page showcases other opportunities that our stakeholders wish to advertise to our Members. www.gumala.com.au/ about-us/jobs-andtraining/other-careeropportunities
eNews Feature In addition to your copy of Gumala News being delivered to your letter box, you can now subscribe to eNews and it will be emailed directly to your inbox. You can subscribe on our home page for free! Visit the Gumala website for more information. You can also read eNews on our website. www.gumala.com.au/about-us/news/ current-enews
Gumala Radio Next time you’re on the home page make sure you visit the Gumala Radio page to find out what’s new in Gumala Radio. The Gumala Radio page has been revamped so you can now explore and interact with our ‘Listen Live’ feature, podcasts, photos, blogs and more. Visit the Gumala Radio page to view the latest news and information from Gumala Radio. www.gumala.com.au/gumala-radio
Traditional Owner Stories Do you want to read more about our Traditional Owners? You can now read stories about our Traditional Owners on our website. You can view the stories on our home page under the ‘About Us’ tab. www.gumala.com.au/about-us/ traditional-owner-stories
Complaints and Disputes Details about Gumala’s Complaints and Disputes Policy, Complaints Policy and Members’ Complaints Form are on our website under the ‘About Us’ tab. www.gumala.com.au/about-us/ourorganisation/complaints-disputes. l
GUMALA NEWS 2013 30
CHRISTMAS 2013
News OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Paraburdoo Primary School steps back in time to celebrate one decade
invited to speak at the assembly and encouraged students that their dreams can come true with a little bit of focus and selfdetermination.
BY ELLY LUKALE
Roma’s new role 3A Early Childhood teacher
TEN YEARS ago, a time capsule was buried somewhere on the grounds of Paraburdoo Primary School with students drawings, writings and photographs placed inside including pictures drawn by Roma Butcher’s Kindergarten class.
Roma is now beginning her new role as the new Gumala Aboriginal Corporation 3A Early Childhood teacher. The new centre opened on the 13 of November at Paraburdoo Primary.
Ten years later, on 15 November 2013, the school held a special assembly and breakfast and invited former students and teachers to celebrate the opening of the capsule as part of the schools 40th anniversary.
You can listen to Roma’s interview with Gumala Radio on their SoundCloud page https://soundcloud.com/ gumalaradio/roma-butcherinterview-atl
Roma’s message to Paraburdoo pupils Roma Butcher, Innawonga Elder and former teacher at Paraburdoo Primary was
Left: Roma Butcher at Parabadoo Primary School
Gumala named semi-finalist at the Regional Achievement and Community Awards IN THE latest string of Gumala successes, Gumala was a semi-finalist in the Department of Indigenous Service Award at the 2013 Regional Achievement and Community Awards Gala in October. The nomination was for Gumala’s Ear Health Campaign last year. Gumala Member Support Manager to the Chief Execuitve Officer, Ronnelle Hicks and Anthony Ryan attended the awards ceremony. l
Right: The Hon. Colin Holt MLC, Ronnelle Hicks and Anthony Ryan
31 GUMALA NEWS 2013
CHRISTMAS 2013
News
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Baler Primary awards Jacinta Dhu A YOUNG primary school student was awarded the Indigenous Student of the Year award at a local South Hedland school in December. Year Two student, Jacinta Dhu (Banyjima) was nominated for the award at the end of year awards ceremony at Baler Primary. Baler Primary School Principal, Pauline Johnson said: “Jacinta Dhu is among seven Aboriginal students to receive an award this year that honour good behaviour and pleasing academic achievements. We are very proud to award such a deserving student.” The Indigenous Student of the Year award is Jacinta’s second award since starting school. In pre-primary, Jacinta won the Citizenship of the Year Award and received a letter from the Australian Government. “Without Gumala’s help it would not be possible for my children to even attend school. I am grateful for the scholarship assistance that my children receive to help them go to school. I am really proud of
Jacinta. She loves going to school and when she puts her mind to something that she loves doing, she will do it,” said her mother Kira Lee. On the awards night, Jacinta’s older sister, Jodine, performed in the senior choir.
Jacinta and Jodine Dhu both receive Gumala Primary Education Assistance and are the daughters of Gumala Member Stephen Dhu and granddaughters of Robert Dhu Senior. l
We’ll miss you Peter Gumala Aboriginal Corporation would like to sincerely thank outgoing PR and Communications Specialist, Peter Caruso, for the four years of dedicated and instrumental service he provided to the organisation and its Members. Peter is one of Gumala’s long standing employees who has seen Gumala grow and transform over the years. He was one of the original employees in the Perth office when it was first located in Victoria Park. Over the last four years Peter (also fondly known by many Members as the ‘Camera Man’) has been the man behind
the computer screen and the camera lens, working hard to bring the Membership the Gumala News magazine and Annual Report (amongst other duties). During his time with the organisation, Peter has interviewed numerous Members about their personal achievements and life stories. At AGMs he was best known for his camera expertise, aiming to secure a stunning front page image and capturing photos of memorable occasions for Members and their families. l
Do you want to partner with success? Gumala is pursuing its aspiration to be one of the leading Indigenous Corporations focused on serving its Members in the Southern Hemisphere through meaningful engagement with stakeholders. Gumala seeks to partner effectively in order to diversify our income streams and maximise the benefits we provide to our Traditional Owners in the core areas of health, education, housing, employment, Lore and Culture and business development. If you think Gumala can provide your organisation with an opportunity to connect with Traditional Owners and their surrounding communities in a meaningful and positive way and you would like to help Gumala deliver innovative programs that benefit our Traditional Owners and the community to alleviate poverty, sickness, suffering, destitution, misfortune and homelessness, please contact Paula Hicks our Partnerships and Communications Manager to discuss ways you can support Gumala and the Traditional Owners. Contact Paula on: paula.hicks@gumala.com.au or call 1800 486 252 (1800 GUMALA)
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CHRISTMAS 2013
News OUR MEMBERS
Giving back gives Gumala member a sense of accomplishment this Christmas THE ESSENCE of giving back to the local community this Christmas especially rings true for one Gumala Member. Doreen Aitchison’s creative flair and the simple act of giving back to the local community, continues to help others in need and raise money for charities. Doreen has lifted the lid on how good it feels to be giving back to her local community this Christmas. In the lead up to Christmas, Doreen has been busy creating hand-made fabric bags
to donate to her favourite local charities to help raise funds and make a difference in other people’s lives. Speaking to Gumala News from her local town of South Burnie in Tasmania in November, Doreen had been busy creating several bags which she is going to donate to her former church in Perth. The church uses her bags to fill with necessities including toiletries and children’s games and donates them to the Women’s Refuge. “When women leave abusive situations, they often leave with nothing. The church uses the bags to fill them with items such as toiletries to make sure that they
have something when they arrive at the refuge,” said Doreen. No stranger to charity work, Doreen has also made two separate amounts of bags; one for her local church in Tasmania who will sell them at their Christmas garage sell for $12 each to raise money for the church and one for the local hospice which will use them in their Christmas raffle to raise money for the hospice. “I worked as a nurse all of my life so I have to do something. It is nice to give back to the community and it feels good to be giving back and to do something. It also makes you feel a part of the community,” she added. Doreen first discovered a module for making handmade fabric bags several years ago when she attended a Country Women’s Association (CWA) meeting in Port Hedland where they were selling bags for fundraising. “The CWA were selling these handmade bags in their canteen and I thought it would be a great idea to use the pattern of the bags to make my own design for fund raising for the local church,” she said. Doreen adopted the model and ran with it, creating her own bags to generate funds or to donate to her local Church, the Women’s Refuge and Hospice. Since she first started making the bags she has now made “quite a few” and has the practise “down to a fine art”. “I cut the lining out first, stitch one side together and then put the pocket in. At the end I add the buttons and the tag. I can usually complete two bags in a day now.
Gumala Member, Doreen Aitchison with two of her hand made fabric bags.
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“The accomplishment of just doing something worthwhile and achieving something, even if it is voluntary is good for me,” she added. l
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MEMBER SERVICES
Do you have a passion for art? INDIGENOUS art is one of the oldest forms of ongoing traditional art forms in the world. Traditional art forms including rock carvings, body painting and ground designs were used to tell stories about Australia’s first people, their land and history. Today, while traditional art is still practised by many GAC Members, art has transformed and developed to include both visual and performing arts and can provide a range of therapeutic benefits to the artist. Creating art can help improve social and emotional wellbeing due to a greater sense of personal achievement and self-expression which can lead to artistic training and employment opportunities and connect them to the community and fellow artists. Creating art can be used as a relaxation activity to lower stress levels. Creating artwork requires time, focus and concentration which allow the artists to focus and relax while improving coordination. Art has also been proven to create a strong cultural identity as the artist returns to their grass roots of storytelling about their people, culture and land. Being able to express their stories in art form gives the artist a sense of personal achievement and self-expression.
The Arts and Crafts Program assists Members with:
There are many talented artists amongst the GAC Membership who create traditional and modern, visual and performing arts.
• Helping to meet the cost of producing art (short film, CDs, plays, etc)
Gumala Member and Banyjima Traditional Owner, May Byrne, is a talented painter who won the 2005 Cossack art awards, category 2. “I love painting. I find it really relaxing and peaceful. I just take my time and I can sit there for hours painting. I really love painting Indigenous stories about land, dreamtime and the flora and fauna,” said May.
GAC Arts and Crafts Program At the start of the 2014 Financial Year,
• Helping to meet the cost of buying art equipment and craft supplies (brushes, canvases, paint, etc) • Helping to meet the cost of attending art and crafts workshops • Helping to meet the cost of fees for attending visual or performing art and crafts course • Helping in attending art exhibitions (where Members artworks are being exhibited) • To contribute to the purchase of musical instruments and equipment. *However, Members must contribute a minimum of 10% towards the total cost of the requested item and this contribution cannot be applied from another GAC program.
GAC introduced the Art and Crafts program to provide Gumala Members with support for the practice of visual and performing arts. GAC’s General Manager Operations, Anthony Ryan said: “Many of our Members are accomplished or aspiring artists. It is important that our Members have the opportunity to improve their artistic skills by being involved in culturally meaningful artistic activities. “Supporting our Members’ Traditional
Owner culture through art and crafts can strengthen our Members’ cultural identity, which in turn can have positive influence on our Members’ overall health, social and emotional wellbeing.” Application forms for the Arts and Crafts program can be accessed on the Gumala website. For more information visit: http://www. gumala.com.au/member-services/ l GUMALA NEWS 2013 34
CHRISTMAS 2013
News GUMALA RADIO
Gumala Radio discovers new story BY GUMALA RADIO WE ALL like a good story, one that is told well, that is easy to follow and leaves you with an impact. Story telling is becoming more and more creative these days with the use of various forms of media to make a good story even better. In early October Gumala Radio travelled from the Pilbara to attend the 15th National Remote Indigenous Media Festival in Ntaria, Hermannsburg, a small historic Aboriginal Community 124 km south west of Alice Springs, the home of singer/ songwriter Warren H Williams and Albert Namatjira, famous Indigenous landscape artist and the first Aboriginal man to be recognised as an Australian Citizen. His life and story is of great importance to the western group of the Arrernte people from the Northern Territory and his story is still present for many people who visit his homeland today.
Neomad Love Punks Comic Delegates from as far as North East Arnham Land, Tiwi Islands, Torres Strait and smaller communities all over Western Australia and Central Australia drove and flew their way to the festival.
Left to right: John “Tadam” Lockyer with Nathaniel Edwins and Woedin Wilson
Amongst them were a new generation of story tellers, three kids from Roebourne who were involved in the Neomad Love Punks Comic, an initiative of the Yikala Yala Project and Big hART.
National Remote Indigenous Media Festival
Their story telling comes in the form of online digital comics; using Photoshop (computer based editing software) and short videos they have created stories inspired by their life in Roebourne (see more info http://www.yijalayala.bigheart. org). Two of the boys travelled internationally and nationally to share their comics and stories with the world and were also invited to share their skills with the school kids in Ntaria, by helping them create their
35 GUMALA NEWS 2013
own super hero comic characters using Photoshop.
The National Remote Indigenous Media Festival, this year hosted by the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) and the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA), gives the opportunity for people working in Indigenous Media to get together once a year to share their work, featuring radio and video content created throughout the year, including workshops and industry forums, culminating in a Media Awards Ceremony at the end of the week-long event.
These awards give individuals from Remote Indigenous Media Organisations (RIMOs) recognition for their work in collecting stories of cultural value, in keeping remote Aboriginal media solid. “Festivals such as these provide broadcasting and Indigenous media workers a place to peer review work undertaken during the year. “It enables feedback, encouragement and acquisition of skills,” said Gumala Radio Broadcaster, John “Tadam” Lockyer. As a Deputy Chair on the Board of IRCA, Tadam played a big role over the weekend in facilitating forums and presentations. Workshops held during the week helped develop new skills through new forms of
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GUMALA RADIO
telling techniques at music festival media from lighting techniques, sound production, radio journalism, animation, digital photography, camera work to animation and storytelling using iPads. Gumala Radio Admin, Eleanor Lukale who attended the festival for the first time, says the workshops were inspiring and opened up new ways for creating stories, using modern technology to tell ancient stories.
and audio storytelling,” he says. Stories, sharing knowledge and information is such an important part of maintaining any culture and passing that onto the next generation. Feel free to jump onto the
Gumala Radio webpage www.gumala. com.au/gumalaradio or send us an email radio@gumala.com.au We’d love to hear your stories! l
“Providing accessible but effective tools for storytelling, especially in remote areas is very important. The iPad, for example, is a very versatile tool with all the great Apps you can download to make story telling easier.” Industry forums held every day also provided interesting discussion on challenges RIMOs face. A prominent topic of interest was the challenge of digital archiving years worth of cultural content and finding ways to create appropriate access to benefit Traditional Owners. The key word used in this discussion was “repatriation” returning important cultural content back to its rightful owners, original items that had been removed by other entities to museums overseas or stored in state and government libraries.
Award for Innovation in Online Presence Gumala Radio achieved success in winning the award for Innovation in Online Presence. Tadam says, “this award reflects on the resources of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation and the hard work of staff in gathering material to make available the culture, language, stories and lifestyle of Members to the wider community.” He would also like to acknowledge the technical support of Gumala Radio technician Mike Ryan, in bringing diversity to our audience base with programs from the broad media spectrum. “But we would like to do more in relation to gathering and producing film/video
Newly elected Chairman of the Indigenous Remote Communications Association, Tadam Lockyer
Gumala Radio host elected to the Indigenous Remote Communication Association Board GUMALA Radio’s Broadcaster/DJ, Tadam Lockyer, was elected as Chairman of the Indigenous Remote Communication Association (IRCA) in October. Tadam is a strong representative for Indigenous media. He is also a representative for remote media on the Australian Indigenous Communications Association (AICA) Board and he sits on the Pilbara and Kimberley Aboriginal Media Board (PAKAM). l GUMALA NEWS 2013 36
CHRISTMAS 2013
News GUMALA MEMBERS
Letters of appreciation to Gumala Hi! My name is Shaikera Cabales. I am of Aboriginal descent, and am 16 years old. I was born in Port Hedland. I currently attend Hedland Senior High School, and all of my previous schooling was done through attending Baler Primary School in South Hedland. Many of my hobbies include outdoor activities. I love to spend most of the time with my family by going bush and fishing. I have always been athletically active, competing in sports like Taekwondo, swimming, softball and baseball. I have been involved in softball for 3 years and play ‘A’ Grade for Jets Softball Club. I have received various awards and recognitions and I enjoy the competitiveness of the sport. I have participated in the State Try Out’s twice. Trying out in Perth was an awesome experience. I learned new techniques and methods that have helped me become a better softball player. The highlight of these trips was meeting players from Western Flames, Who are professional softball players and have represented Australia. I strongly believe that dreams can come true if you are prepared to stay focused and work hard. I have now been selected to participate with the Perth All Stars under 19’s, to play in Manila Philippine’s in March 2014. As an Aboriginal person, I am very proud of my achievements. This trip and experience would not be possible without the support of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation and my family. I am very grateful and I would like to thank the Foundation as well as all my family Members for helping me further my softball career. I am extremely passionate about softball. I one day, hope to become a professional player and represent Australia. Shakira Cabales playing softball.
Thank you for doing a great job! “Hello, I’d like to thank you all on a wonderful job that the team of helpful staff at Gumala have done for my family. I am more than grateful for the assistance I can receive when I need it, especially when it comes to my children’s education. My kids absolutely love going to school and they get upset if they can’t go, like cyclones and holidays. Without the education assistance it would be near impossible to send them off to school with happy faces. They have full uniforms, hats, jackets and bags all provided by Gumala. I’d also like to thank you guys for paying for their school photos. With four children at school, that would have been a bit difficult for me to find.
Mary Steer (10)
Thanks again. Kylie Peterson.” Camilla Steer (5)
37 GUMALA NEWS 2013
Lou-Anne Steer (4)
Betty Steer (10)
CHRISTMAS 2013
News
GUMALA MEMBERS
Thank you for the athletics opportunity “Many thanks for giving Simona Black an opportunity to compete in the ACC Athletics. It was a really good experience for her. She competed in many races with great courage and determination. Simona displayed exemplary behaviour throughout the whole trip and was very friendly and amenable to all other students. This was a good avenue for her to showcase her skills and compete against other athletes in Western Australia. I am sure she gained valuable experience from this trip. Kind Regards Kogi Govender”
The Gumala Member Solutions Team in Perth
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s Member Solutions Team want to wish all of the Membership and their families a happy holidays. We are looking forward to working with you all again in 2014. REMINDER:
Simona Black competing at ACC Athletics
Expressions of Gratitude “I wish to express my gratitude for your assistance in the purchase of my new HP computer. Thanks to GAC and staff.” Charlotte Perry
Thank you for the on-going assistance “To all at Gumala, My family wish to sincerely thank you for all your on going assistance. We don’t know how we would cope. From the Aitchison Family.”
Any applications will only be processed once all paperwork has been received by Gumala. So please ensure all relevant paperwork is provided with your application to avoid delays in processing. GAC requires your assistance to ensure the information we have on record is correct. Please advise GAC if you have changed address or any of your details need updating, fill in a Personal Information Form and send us the change of details form, (download it at www.gumala.com. au/documents or phone us).
Christmas Office Closure Gumala Aboriginal Corporation wishes to advise all Members that our office will be
closed for several days during the Christmas and New Year Period. The Perth and Tom Price offices will be closed from 5pm Friday 20 December to Sunday 5th January. Skeleton staff will be available for emergencies on 1800 486 252. Please note we will be closed during Public Holidays.
Lore applications Gumala Members who wish to apply for Lore & Culture funding during Lore Time are advised to submit their applications in advance. Please ensure you name your Lore ground on your application. Any applications that are received at the last minute run the risk of not getting approved on time.
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Corporation GUMALA NEWS 2013 38 ICN 2744
CHRISTMAS 2013
News
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GUMALA Aboriginal Corporation ICN 2744
GUMALA NEWS 2013
Tom Price (Head Office):
Perth (Administration Office):
1 Stadium Road
Level 1, 165 Adelaide Terrace
Tom Price, Western Australia
East Perth, Western Australia
Phone: 1800 486 252 (1800 GUMALA) Fax: (08) 9219 4555 Postal Address: PO Box 3167, East Perth WA 6892 Email: gac@gumala.com.au Web: www.gumala.com.au