COMMUNITY
OPPORTUNITY PROSPERITY
BULLOO SHIRE
WELCOMING PLAN - 2021
Welcome from the Mayor G’day and welcome to the Bulloo Shire, known as a place to stay, learn and explore. These three aspects play a vital part in our Welcoming Communities Program and provides us with an exciting opportunity to build our community while extending a friendly, welcoming hand to newcomers. The Bulloo Shire boasts a safe and welcoming environment for all community members, their families and friends to flourish and ‘stay’. When you come to our local area, we will help you ‘learn’ about us as we will ‘learn’ from you. Gaining knowledge from each other promotes understanding where acknowledgment of differences, information on different societies and awareness of worldwide as well as local issues, can be created. When you arrive at the Bulloo Shire, you have the opportunity to ‘explore’, your new home. The Bulloo Shire has a long and colourful history of explorers, from indigenous peoples, the ill-fated Burke and Wills Expedition through to current expeditions searching for oil and gas reserves. As you will no doubt find out when you arrive, the local children are also able to safely ‘explore’ the outback way of life and develop life skills by riding horses, motorbikes, swimming in the Bulloo river, fishing and yabbying, camping, using our sporting facilities and walking tracks and much, much more. So, what are you waiting for? Come and join our community and find out first hand why the Bulloo Shire is the place to stay, learn and explore.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Bulloo Shire is Country to a number of First Nations Peoples; the the Kullilli peoples’ lands that follow the Bulloo River from near Quilpie to the NSW border, encompasing the township of Thargomindah out as far as Noccundra and also the Wongkumara peoples to the far west of the Shire, the Boonthamurra peoples in the northwestern area of the shire, southwest of Quilpie, and the Budjiti peoples from the Hungerford/Currawinya area. We would like to acknowledge the Elders both past and present of each of these peoples; and thank them for their contributions to country and our communities.
Dali Mura (good day) and Welcome, this is the story of Kullilli people and country (punu) Thargomindah is the traditional homelands for the Kullilli People who are the recognized Traditional Owners through Native Title. Kullilli country is spectacular red earth with vast floodplains, channels fringed by gidgee and eucalypt woodlands, claypans, sand dunes, gravel plains, and mulga shrublands. It is harsh country, but it is our home – it is the country of our mothers and fathers, our ancestors; and it’s our time to rekindle our relationship with this land. The Bulloo River is the heartland of Kullilli country and is known by Kullilli people to have been carved out during Creation times by the underground travels of a legendary serpent creature who still inhabits the river and its waterholes today. These stories are our endowment and the inheritance of our children, as Kullilli people we strive to ensure that this knowledge is their strength and joy. Many Kullilli people now live away from country, in various locations around Queensland and Interstate, so in present day Thargomindah you will find a small number of Kullilli people still living on country. However, there is compelling interest from Kullilli people to return to country to live and work and play a role in looking after their country. The Kullilli Bulloo River Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (KBRAC) is working toward building strong relationships with the Bulloo Shire Council, Thargomindah residents and property landholders, and other stakeholders to establish and create pathways for Kullilli people to be able to return to country and maintain their cultural heritage connection to the area.
About Our Welcoming Community Outback communities such as the Bulloo Shire are known for their unique character and welcoming persona. As soon as you arrive in town, everyone knows you are there, who you are and where you are from; which may be intimidating if you are not used to this. The emphasis of the Bulloo Shire Welcoming Plan is on helping newcomers to build connections within the community at a pace they feel comfortable with. Our aim before and on arrival is to ensure you have information and access to services you require to live in our community. From here, our whole of community approach is to Welcome you and your family, facilitate connections and support you to live your best life as an active and involved resident of the Bulloo Shire. It is a very small community of approximately 300 people spread over a very large area; we live, work and play together with each of us having our own history but at the same time developing a shared history of understanding, appreciation and inclusion. Our Welcoming Plan involves the whole community, and while everyone’s journey is different, our aim is for you to feel you are one of us, whilst retaining your own special character.
Why become a Welcoming Community The Bulloo Shire is remote outback and the third largest shire in Queensland, with the fifth smallest population. Situated about 1,100 kilometres west of the Brisbane CBD, the Bulloo Shire is bounded by Barcoo Shire and Quilpie Shires in the north, Paroo Shire in the east, the New South Wales border in the south, and the South Australian border in the west. Our outback location requires and allows us to find innovative solutions for our community. Agriculture has historically been the most significant employer of shire residents, with a peak of exploration and construction (and hence employment) for the Oil & Gas industry from 1960’s to 2000’s. Agriculture, tourism and government service provision are currently the major employers for the Shire.
“THE SUCCESS OF OUR COMMUNITY RESTS WITH IT’S PEOPLE”
Unemployment in the Bulloo Shire is virtually nil, with almost all adults who are seeking to work being employed. There are multiple vacant roles, with businesses not being successful advertising along with significant successful business opportunities. The roles and opportunities available are in direct competition with those in regions closer to major cities however would be suitable for a Regional Skilled Migrant or a young person seeking an outback challenge and extensive professional experience. Migration has long been an important part of the population of the Shire with many Working Holiday Visa holders becoming part of local families and a number of professionals being active members of the community early in their careers prior to professional advancement elsewhere. The Bulloo Shire has a history of supporting family, welcoming newcomers and embracing those who venture to the west. By becoming an active Welcoming Community the Shire hopes to set itself apart from other regional communities as a place of preference for Skilled Migrants and others seeking professional opportunities and a strong and safe community to start a family.
Welcoming Newcomers and Migrants Living in the Outback is a life experience like no other and not everyone is suited to living in a remote community. Whilst all essential services are available – health, education, employment, groceries, there are unique twists on their provision. The Bulloo Shire team has undertaken extensive research into the things that migrants to the area need to know, wish to know and didn’t realise they needed to know until they arrived. The team has also worked with the community to understand their capacity and interest in bringing newcomers into the fold and embracing their culture as a part of our own.
The Welcoming Communities Standard The Welcoming Communities Standard has a framework of six categories which guide the policies and activities of a Welcoming Community. By actively seeking to improve in each of these key areas, the Bulloo Shire improves the quality of life of all residents, not just the newcomers.
About our Welcoming Plan The Bulloo Shire residents have a history of finding innovative solutions to issues that may arise in the area, particularly in the context of developing practical solutions where government service delivery is difficult due to distance. Due to the very small population, all shire residents are familiar with the challenges faced by workers and their families when they arrive. We have a history of welcoming new families and ensuring they do not want to leave. The Bulloo Shire Welcoming Plan seeks to formalise and then extend on the many activities that are already in place in our community to assist newcomers and in particular migrants to live their best life in a friendly and supported manner. While agriculture is a major enterprise for the shire, almost every family has an employment connection to government – local, state or federal and this is reflected in the actioning of our Welcoming Plan. Our Welcoming Plan will focus on the six Welcoming Standard categories; how we will ensure the whole community is involved and what we believe becoming a Welcoming Community will look and feel like. Each of the six categories will be addressed in the context of our key focus areas and the relevant programs that apply to them. The Key Focus Areas are: Educate & Inform, Accommodate and Connect & Support.
Educate & Inform The focus points of this strategy are both inward looking at our own community and reaching out to the wider migrant community with the goal of the community having the knowledge needed to embrace newcomers, and migrants having an understanding of the opportunities and challenges of living in the Outback. Specific actions include; •The ‘LiveOutback’ website to promote the opportunities and provide information about living in the Bulloo and Paroo Shires. •Business/Employer connections to promote understanding around the concepts and requirements for skilled, business and working holiday visa holders. •Community based cultural competence awareness – from local and migrant perspectives
Accommodate Accommodate refers to both the obvious, in the availability and co-ordination of housing, but also to being able to, as a community accommodate other needs such as dietary, faith and language needs of migrants to our community. Housing is limited in the Bulloo Shire and Council is working to increase the pool of available homes to allow for a variety of rental and purchase requirements. In the interim, the project team will be working to educate employers and ensure that accommodation is investigated as a part of any recruitment process. The Bulloo Shire is a Welcoming Community will try to ensure new residents are comfortable to voice their desires and aspirations through open and sincere communication channels to service providers and general business.
Connect & Support Community connection is the key element in retaining new community members. The Bulloo Shire will be actively working through programs such as; •Involve each family to make personal introductions to other community members, relevant service providers and businesses. This will be run through the Library and Visitor Information Centre with the library providing support for needs such as health connections, education and English support. •Ensuring that newcomers are invited to community events in a conscious and targeted manner. Sporting and social opportunities are limited in the Shire and it is important that newcomers are included in all local activities and are made to feel welcome to participate as in some capacity where they do not have the skills required for a particular sport. •The ’LiveOutback’ website will be developed in such a way that pages may be translated to facilitate greater communication and connection within the community. •Our ‘Social Connection Collaborative’ is to be developed in conjunction with Paroo, Murweh and Quilpie Shires to connect newcomers and young people from the four shires, especially those who do not have children. The idea is to facilitate connections and then encourage involvement in community organisations such as Race Clubs, Show Societies, P&C’s etc for specific community events.
Inclusive Leadership Bulloo Shire Council, as a Welcoming Community recognise the importance of cultural diversity and inclusion and seek to embed this in our community and organisations that operate within our Shire. With 70 of its’ 150 working age residents employed by council, Bulloo Shire Council is charged with a significant leadership responsibility for the community. Council takes this responsibility seriously and undertakes to assist businesses and other organisations in the Shire to embrace all that it takes to be a Welcoming Community.
Connect & Support Council promotes the concept of a Welcoming Community to the broader community and support this with action Council representatives and staff, along with senior community members share a meal with new residents as soon as practical after their arrival
Candidates from a broad cross section invited to apply for council roles Council to ensure recruitment activities actively seek to expand the range of potential candidates for all positions.
Educate & Inform Formally acknowledge the traditional owners and encourage their participation in community and public events Welcome to Country facilitated by Council where appropriate. Ensure indigenous input into the activities planned by the Steering Committee through personal consultation Council supports narratives that promote the positive contribution migrants make to the Community In conjunction with the Paroo Shire, Council to assist in the development and production of “Telling Our Stories Video Series”
Council and Community Leadership understand and consider the diversity of the community Council maintains a list of the countries of origin of migrants to the community and ensures activities and imagery reflect this diversity
Facilitation of opportunities for whole of community to learn about the various cultures in the community Council will invite community members to undertake Cultural Competence training as it occurs.
Social & Cultural Inclusion Newcomers understand the unique outback personality and are comfortable with this before they arrive and as they settle into the community. People feel safe with their own cultural identity whilst being connected and belonging to their new community. There are high levels of trust, acceptance and curiosity between members of the current and new community members. Information on a wide range of cultural matters is available to all community members.
Educate & Inform Essential information relating to the outback and Bulloo Shire living and activities to be readily available and in translatable format LiveOutback Web platform will be developed in such a way as to enable translation into necessary language. Use of clear and concise english.
“WE ARE MORE ALIKE THAN WE ARE DIFFERENT”
Accommodate Translation Apps are available and utilised within the community The community and council staff seeks out the most appropriate live translation phone apps for necessary languages, with this information communicated through the Bulloo Buzz for community members to utilise where communication is difficult.
Connect & Support Coordinated, comprehensive and appropriate initial welcoming support services are available from council, other agencies and community organisations Library staff initiate contact with new residents, provide welcome information and facilitate connection and communication with service providers and relevant organisations. Suitable buddy for the family identified for ongoing support Translation Services Availability All new residents have available Queensland Government Interpreter card. Council, Government and Business to ensure they have the correct contacts for necessary language services on record. Active participation in sporting and cultural activities Ensure buddies facilitate introductions and personal invitations for family interests and age appropriate activities. Investigate opportunities to recognise and celebrate significant cultural events for all residents. Involve residents in planning and educating community members about the history and significance of their events. Young adult community members are connected socially with newcomers Across Bulloo, Paroo, Quilpie and Murweh Shires, young people are connected through a series of regular social gatherings focused on an activity such as a meal or community service. Young Migrant children and their non-working parent connect with locals and are comfortable sharing their culture The First5 Forever program for pre-schoolers run through libraries across Queensland will be customised to include ESL and cross cultural education.
Economic Development, Business, Employment & Housing The community, through business and service providers understands the possibilities and benefits of a diverse population and skills base in their Shire. As a result, employers are comfortable and willing to make long term commitments to encourage and support newcomers with indemand skills who wish to make a home in the Bulloo Shire. Unique professional development opportunities in the Bulloo Shire are sought after as a valuable step in an ongoing career. Newcomers promote these opportunities to their external networks.
Educate & Inform Workforce of the Shire becomes more diverse, more stable and expands Council leads by employing a workforce that is inclusive and diverse. Where opportunities exist for sponsorship of skilled migrants they should be pursued. Opportunities that exist for employment, professional development, and business ownership are communicated outside the traditional sphere •Through the Live Outback website, maintain a free register of employment and business opportunities and communicate this information to migration and recruitment agencies •Through the Telling Our Stories Video Series promote the professional development opportunities available in the shire. The Community understands the opportunities for migrants as employees and business owners Council facilitates connections with presenters including Business and Skilled Migration Queensland, Department of Home Affairs, Migration Agents and Employers who have sponsored migrants in the past.
Accommodate Suitable housing is available that takes into account cross cultural requirements and expectations. All employers understand the varying needs of staff and ensure suitable arrangements are made prior to an employee arriving in the shire BSC Housing policies reflect the need for expansion of the residential housing market in the shire. Council continue to work with the community to increase both private and council owned accommodation. Local employers and workforces develop their intercultural competency and understand the resources available to assist Employer Connections - Work with Council to include businesses and employees in Cultural Competency and Safety Training on a regular basis.
Connect & Support Newcomers are supported with local knowledge and skills to ensure they can operate a business successfully in the Bulloo Shire Connect intended business owners with appropriate council staff for advice and assistance. Assist those who are interested in running a small business with connections to www. business.qld.gov.au/starting-business Success in business and employment is promoted Telling Our Stories - Create a series of profiles for web/FB/ print distribution of businesses who have employed migrants, or migrants who are enjoying their life in the shire.
Learning and Skills Development (Education) New residents are confident that the educational needs of their spouse and children are not just met but are exceeded in such a way that the unique learning opportunities of the outback are in fact advantageous to their families. Unique professional development opportunities in the Bulloo / Paroo Shire are sought after as a valuable step in an ongoing career. Newcomers promote these opportunities to their external networks.
Connect & Support New residents have options to improve their, or their family’s English skills in a supported manner Thargomindah State School welcomes volunteers who wish to participate in their school reading program on a regular basis as a means of improving their English skills as well as their community connectedness. Regular chat buddy sessions are organised via the library where this is the appropriate means. Families are confident the educational aspirations for their children will be met Thargomindah State School and Charleville School of Distance Education to document and promote the unique learning possibilities and outcomes achieved by the school community.
Accommodate Ongoing Higher Education options are available to all community residents Develop Higher Education partnerships with organisations such as Open Colleges/Open Universities for the benefit of all residents. Provide distance learning facilities and Exam Supervisors to enable strong adult remote learning opportunities.
Educate & Inform Schools become involved in age appropriate curriculum activities that reflect the Bulloo Shire history of migration and current population External migrant organisations, Project Manager and schools collaborate to develop resources to support curriculum areas such as celebration – with a focus on Chinese culture and history in the Bulloo Shire. Other cultures to be incorporated as the program develops. Physical Isolation reduced as much as possible - All adult residents attain their Provisional or Open Driver’s Licence Where a need identified within the community- Liaise with Police and new residents to ensure the currency of Driving Licences for Queensland. Where necessary provide connections for further training and assessment.
Civic Participation Newcomers feel welcome and are confident to participate in the local, regional and national community in a full range of activities and responsibilities.
Educate & Inform Council’s elected members and staff effectively communicate with newcomers to promote their engagement in local, state and federal government processes Ensure that all community members are aware of the voting process in the lead up to any elections.
Connect, Support & Celebrate Citizenship and other milestones such as granting of Permanent Residence visas are celebrated by the community Council to continue to host and better promote citizenship ceremonies as a way of acknowledging and celebrating newcomers into the community Increased volunteer participation and recognition of all community members Buddies ensure new community members are aware of, and invited to activities within their interest. Council to promote the recognition of volunteer efforts of all community members. Big Kids Playgroup is a means to encourage young people who have connected to extend this connection into the wider community as volunteers.
Accommodate Professional and community perspectives of new residents are included in community consultation and management Council to include new community members in Steering Committees, Working Parties or other where their experiences are relevant.
Welcoming and Safe Public Places and Spaces New Community members are safe and welcome in public spaces.
Educate & Inform Water spaces (council pool and Bulloo River) are used safely by all community members Continue to make swimming lessons available to all community members to build skills and confidence in water. Ensure all safety signage uses international standard icons. All adult residents attain Basic First Aid Certification and Outback survival instruction Liaise with Qld Health, private providers and Police to ensure all residents have the opportunity to attain these skills on at least a yearly basis
Connect, Support & Celebrate Culturally diverse activities are developed and promoted in public spaces such as the library, art gallery, main street and parks and gardens Utilise public spaces to celebrate diverse events throughout the year. Consult with community members for advice.
Accommodate The design and operation of public spaces and facilities are culturally appropriate do not inadvertently impact utilisation by sectors of the community Consult with current community members, Cultural Atlas tools and external designers to ensure public facilities designed by today’s community do not inadvertently exclude future community members. Ensure all safety signage uses international standard icons.
What does success look like for our Welcoming Community? We will monitor and measure the outcomes and impact of the individual welcoming activities and the Programme as a whole along the way. Examples of measures will include: • Activity evaluation and feedback. • Production, distribution and use of tools or guidance. • Requests by community, cultural, sporting, business groups and organisations for Programme and activity information and guidance material. • Numbers of newcomer and community members participating in activities steadily growing. • Over time sharing, promoting and implementing best practice across all sectors of the community. • Positive portrayal of connected and inclusive practices demonstrated by community leaders and whole of community steadily growing.
“NEWCOMERS WHO STAY”
“CONNECTED PEOPLE LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER”
“COMMUNITY MEMBERS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE FOUND ‘THEIR PLACE’”
“EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES”
“DIVERSITY IS THE NORM IN OUR WORKPLACES & COMMUNITY”
www.liveoutback.com.au www.bulloo.qld.gov.au
www.liveoutback.com.au
This Welcoming Plan was developed with the support of the Queensland Government.