COMMUNITY RESILIENCE SHINES THROUGH ISSUE 30 J U LY 2 0 2 0
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STEPHANIE H A R V E Y, C E O COMMUNITY FIRST DEVELOPMENT
CEO MESSAGE
I know it has not been an easy time for many of us with the challenges of COVID-19. I hope you and your loved ones are coping okay in this tense and turbulent environment. With your support and the resilience of communities, we have been able to keep many of our vital projects alive. On pages 6-13, I’m thrilled to share stories with you about some of these community projects. You might remember from our last edition of Stepping Stones, the story about the brilliant business idea of a Warlpiri man to meet the transport needs of his remote community in the Northern Territory. In this edition, you can read an update about the progress of this exciting project.
Readers are advised that this newsletter may contain images and names of people who have passed away. Cover photo: The Xtra Mile Transport team, Robert and Lachlan, coming together with our Community Development Officer Maddi, and volunteers Taffy and Marella, to keep their business planning on track. 2
You can read more about Community First Development volunteer, Ken, on page 14.
You can also meet two special members of the Community First Development team on page 14 and 15, our Bequest Officer and one of our skilled volunteers. Thank you for your generosity to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can achieve community goals using their own strengths and local knowledge. I really appreciate your support – especially during such a difficult time.
I’ve enclosed a short survey which I’d love for you to fill out and send back to us. Your feedback will help us understand what matters most to you, as well as giving us insight into how we have managed and communicated recent changes to our organisation (like our name!). It will also help us make plans to continue the crucial work that is made possible by supporters like you.
Thank you!
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OUT AND ABOUT W E ’RE BACK IN DARW IN NORTHERN TERRITORY
For the first time in many years, we have a staff member located in Darwin. We are thrilled to share that our experienced senior Community Development Officer, Tania, has relocated to Darwin to reconnect with our past and present volunteers in the area. It’s my third year working with Community First Development. I’ve always liked that our organisation isn’t all about money…it is sincere when working with communities. And now, I’m excited to connect with and learn about the interests and skills of our volunteers in the top end. TA N I A , C O M M U N I T Y D E V E LO P M E N T OFFICER, NOW BASED IN DARWIN
Tania’s initial plan is about bringing our presence back in the top end of the Northern Territory by reconnecting with contacts and rebuilding relationships. Over the next few years, through Tania’s work in the local area, we look forward to seeing more communities leading the way, becoming more self-determined and initiating their own projects. Thank you for your support to help make this happen! Tania worked with the Kalkarinji School in the Northern Territory to produce a video about the 4 importance of school attendance.
A N E W CULT U RAL CEN T RE FO R HEAL ING BLACKTOWN, NSW
Dharug Strategic Management Group (DSMG) is a new organisation with the dream of opening a cultural centre for sharing, teaching and healing on the Blacktown Native Institution site in NSW - a key historical landmark which was handed back to community late 2018. To help DSMG make their dreams reality, Community First Development was invited to work with them on two projects. Our skilled volunteer, Russell, has been working alongside DSMG on the first project to develop a strategic plan. The Board members have great ideas and knowledge - and are seeking clear direction to narrow these down into achievable goals with realistic timeframes. Another skilled volunteer, Susanne, has been working with the Board on the second project creating policies and procedures to ensure good governance, risk management and respectful communication across all stakeholders.
Volunteer Susanne with Darug Strategic Management group at a 2 day workshop last year.
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PROJECTS YOU HELPED KEEP ALIVE
THROUGH COVID-19 With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at particular risk from virus infection, COVID-19 left many of our communities isolated and vulnerable. Working with the restrictions necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19 has been a challenge, but it has also created new opportunities to test the resourcefulness of our organisation and the communities we work with. The community work you make possible is too important to let go. Thanks to your generous support, we could take swift action when the restrictions were put into place to keep communities safe yet still connected to crucial projects. The communities responded just as quickly and, together, we came up with innovative ways to keep projects moving. There is nothing more powerful than face to face meetings and the opportunity to yarn with community members – but through video conferencing, interactive whiteboard sessions, and screen sharing, we could get on with our jobs and keep progressing critical community projects. In April alone, during the harshest lockdown measures, there were 57 active Community First Development projects across the country. Thank you for supporting us through such a challenging time!
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A GO O D TI M E FOR UPSKIL L ING TENNANT CREEK, NT
Jimmy is the Cultural Liaison Officer at the Warumungu Cultural Centre, Nyinkka Nyunyu at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, and a key representative to the Julalikari Aboriginal Corporation. While COVID-19 may have put a hold on Nyinkka Nyunyu’s plans of expanding their cultural tours, exhibiting their artworks, and opening a bush food café, the team has been quick to make the most of their changed circumstances. Jimmy says, “I have taken time out to focus on my professional development, working on my digital literacy and improving my written English. I’m grateful to Nyinkka Nyunyu for giving me this time to build my skills and confidence - so I can do a better job and support my people.” Jimmy has been working with Community First Development volunteer, Aggie, on a project to support his digital literacy, work planning, weekly reporting, and professional communications, including media appearances. They have been meeting up three mornings a week via video calls, sharing their screens, having a laugh, and getting the job done!
Jimmy and Aggie planning work and having a laugh.
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HEA LI N G FROM FAMILY V IO LE NCE N E W M A N , WA
One crucial and important project we have been able to keep progressing is the Aboriginal Male’s Healing Centre (AMHC) in the Newman township of the Pilbara in Western Australia. The AMHC is a not-for-profit organisation owned and led by Aboriginal community members motivated by their vision ‘that all Aboriginal women and children live safe and healthy lives free of family violence.’ The AMHC provide culturally appropriate family and domestic violence services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Pilbara.
Working on construction plans for AMHC before COVID-19.
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Working on construction plans for AMHC during COVID-19.
In partnership with our Regional Manager, Doyen, and the rest of the Community First Development team, AMHC community members have been able to use video conferencing to continue the planning and construction of AMHC Healing Centre, as well as the development of their important services. Doyen shared It’s business as usual for us. We’ve never been busier!
This project would not be able to proceed without the collaboration and support of the following companies: • • • • •
ARUP Matthews McDonald Architects Allied Projects Pty Ltd TAG Architects PM+D ARCHITECTS 9
E SSEN T I A L TRANSPORT FO R A RE M OTE COMMUNITY Y U E N D U M U, N T
Despite the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions, an exciting community project at Yuendumu in the Northern Territory is progressing in leaps and bounds. Warlpiri man, Robert Robertson, has been working closely with Community First Development team member, Maddi, setting up Robert’s transport company, Xtra Mile Transport, to provide his remote community with mobility and safety. Through video conferencing, Maddi was able to advance the project and bring together all contributing parties, including volunteers and the Central Lands Council. Robert has also been using screen sharing technology to work on branding design ideas with his family and Community First Development volunteer, artist and graphic designer, Marion. Together, Marion and Robert have been developing a logo with a clear identity to show Xtra Mile Transport is ‘Yapa’ (local Warlpiri person) owned and led. We can’t wait to see the logo featured on busses, drivers’ uniforms, and community service timetables!
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Bringing the Xtra Mile Transport team together with Robert (top left) for a fortnightly planning meeting. WANTA’s Lachlan (second left) is based in Yuendumu, and has made sure Robert has access to the technology he needs to keep his business planning on track. Community First Development volunteers, Taffy and Marella, have been working with Robert since July 2019 and, together with the support of Community Development Officer, Maddi (top right) they have completed two projects with Robert to prepare for piloting the Xtra Mile service later this year.
THANK YOU
for supporting this vital project to meet the transport needs of the Yuendumu community.
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S UP P O RTI N G TALE NTED FI RST N ATI O NS A RTISTS In the East, talented Wiradjuri and Ngardi musician, Dale Robert Huddleston, went live with a new website. Dale invited us to help set up his website which was designed by our skilled volunteer, Deb, and coordinated by our Community Development Officer, Ruth.
Ruth shared It’s so wonderful to see these projects thriving as we work through new ways of communicating and connecting.
Dale has been greatly affected, like so many performing artists, by the COVID 19 restrictions with the cancellation of festivals and events across the country. He has used this time to experiment with new musical genres and has developed creative ways to share his music online, doing regular performances both with his band and solo, including a special Mother’s Day concert to honour mothers everywhere. Deb has been releasing a live music video each week, filmed at Dale’s recent performance at the National Multicultural Festival in February 2020. You can tune in to hear Dale’s music at riverbankenterprises.squarespace.com/news Above: Talented Wiradjuri and Ngardi musician, Dale Robert Huddleston, has found creative ways to share his music online during COVID-19 restrictions. 12
B E YO N D T HE CHAL L ENGES O F CO V I D-19 The online communication skills that both Community First Development staff and First Nation community members have learnt and adopted to keep connected during COVID-19 are invaluable. We are now in a great position to use these methods of remote communication when face to face yarning is not possible – to ensure our community projects keep going. We look forward to the future beyond COVID-19 when we can once again sit with community members to listen, to yarn, and plan the projects they initiate together.
Our team members using a virtual interactive whiteboard to finalise key themes as part of a Community First Development Action Research project.
THANK YOU
FO R YO UR GENEROUS SUPPORT A ND WA LKING W ITH US THROUG H THESE CH AL L ENGES! 13
VOLUNTEER M EET K EN,
PROFILE
OUR SKILLED VOLUNTEER
Ken has been a dedicated volunteer with Community First Development since 2010. During the last ten years, Ken has volunteered on numerous projects throughout NSW and the Northern Territory. He describes his decade volunteering with us as a positive experience which has allowed him to build relationships with the community members he has worked with.
Ken worked with the men’s shed of Santa Teresa in the Northern Territory, teaching practical skills in small engines.
Through his skillset and experience, he has supported communities to develop their skills in small engine maintenance and mechanical training. One of his fondest memories is his involvement in supporting a community in the Northern Territory to develop their skills in small engine maintenance. Ken remembers watching the community participation numbers grow throughout the three weeks he spent in community and seeing such positive outcomes by the end of the project. We are so thankful to have wonderful volunteers Like Ken working alongside Community First Development. I got a lot of satisfaction from the small engine project and feel I have achieved something in the communities I have been to. 14
S TA F F
PROFILE
M EET A LI CI A ,
OUR BEQUEST OFFICER C E L E B R AT I N G T E N Y E A R S W I T H C O M M U N I T Y F I R ST D E V E LO P M E N T !
I am proud to be a part of Community First Development, working alongside people who make a lasting difference and are committed to creating a positive future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Ten years have passed in a moment but the relationships I’ve built will last a lifetime!
Meet Alicia, Bequest Officer who has just celebrated 10 years working with Community First Development.
One of the most rewarding parts of my role as Bequest Officer is speaking with so many of our wonderful supporters. They share their interests and the stories behind their loyal support. Some share about their decision to leave a gift in their Will, as they want to ensure that their support and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues into the future. I can certainly see the lasting impact these gifts make. It’s truly a wonderful legacy for generations to come, allowing us to make longterm plans and continue our vital work. If you are considering leaving a gift to Community First Development in your Will, and you wish to join a very special group of passionate and committed supporters, I invite you to give me a call on 02 6122 6409 for a confidential chat. 15
P L E A S E G I V E W H AT Y O U C A N .
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Donations of $2 or more may be tax deductible Please return in the reply paid envelope or post to: PO BOX 6155 Mawson ACT 2607
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ISSUE 30
Call 1800 639 565 or visit www.communityfirstdevelopment.org.au/donate