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Gumala News - August 2012 - Community Edition

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GUMALA NEWS<br />

COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA<br />

Aboriginal<br />

Corporation<br />

ICN 2744<br />

<strong>2012</strong>-15 Strategic Plan unveiled<br />

<strong>Community</strong> centre’s official opening<br />

Achievements across <strong>Gumala</strong>’s<br />

Member Services Division<br />

Yandi mine expansion<br />

Traditional Owner success stories<br />

NAIDOC Week celebrations<br />

Disclaimer: 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


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

The success story of Australia’s<br />

fastest growing Aboriginal<br />

corporation rolls on<br />

It is an exciting time to be the Chief<br />

Executive Officer (CEO) of <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Aboriginal Corporation (GAC).<br />

Against the backdrop of being one<br />

of the biggest and fastest growing<br />

Aboriginal corporations in Australia,<br />

GAC has celebrated many successes<br />

in the last few months, some of<br />

which you will read about in the<br />

forthcoming pages.<br />

EXPANSION OF MEMBER<br />

SERVICES PROGRAMS<br />

At the beginning of the <strong>2012</strong>-13<br />

Financial Year, GAC introduced<br />

new programs and initiatives to our<br />

Member Services Programs portfolio.<br />

This includes the Early Childhood<br />

program, Country Week Assistance,<br />

Telstra Bill Assistance and Business<br />

Development initiatives.<br />

These programs add to our already<br />

extensive range of over 20 programs<br />

that assist our Members and their<br />

children.<br />

HOUSING STRATEGY<br />

In addition to our growing<br />

portfolio of Member Programs, our<br />

projects team have been very busy<br />

progressing a range of initiatives<br />

that are resulting in better local<br />

communities in which our Members<br />

and their families live.<br />

This includes our multi-million dollar<br />

Housing project. GAC has reached<br />

a critical stage in the expansion of<br />

its Housing Strategy, which will see<br />

new <strong>Gumala</strong> houses built in South<br />

Hedland this year.<br />

This will be followed by the<br />

construction of <strong>Gumala</strong> homes<br />

Steve Mav<br />

in Tom Price. Our Members are<br />

currently being consulted on the<br />

type of homes that will suit the<br />

needs of the Traditional Owners.<br />

NAIDOC WEEK<br />

NAIDOC Week is an important<br />

event in the <strong>Gumala</strong> calendar.<br />

Every year when it rolls around, it<br />

gives us an opportunity to celebrate<br />

our Members’ culture, history<br />

and the invaluable contributions<br />

that Indigenous people make to<br />

Australian national identity.<br />

This year, <strong>Gumala</strong> joined the Tom<br />

Price community in celebrating<br />

NAIDOC Week. <strong>Gumala</strong> hosted<br />

a popular stall which showcased<br />

traditional artefacts, a Banyjima<br />

(one of our three language groups)<br />

language display, art activities and<br />

traditional bush tucker (cooking and<br />

tastings).<br />

By Steve Mav, CEO, <strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation<br />

COMMUNITY CENTRE<br />

OPENING<br />

The official opening of a community<br />

centre at one of our local<br />

communities – Bellary Springs –<br />

took place recently.<br />

This project (funding support,<br />

design and construction) would not<br />

have been possible if it were not for<br />

the partnerships between <strong>Gumala</strong>,<br />

community members, the University<br />

of Melbourne, Lotterywest and Rio<br />

Tinto.<br />

It is a partnership that has resulted<br />

in the Bellary Springs community<br />

having a modern and culturally<br />

appropriate building that has a<br />

range of uses including community<br />

meetings, health clinics, education<br />

and support programs.<br />

In exactly the same manner as the<br />

design and construction the Early<br />

Childhood Centre in Wakuthuni<br />

community last year, the design and<br />

construction of the Bellary Springs<br />

<strong>Community</strong> Centre project was<br />

delivered on-time and within budget.<br />

LONG TERM SUCCESS<br />

As we move ahead throughout the<br />

year we remain mindful that the<br />

growth of <strong>Gumala</strong> stems from the<br />

historic land use agreement reached<br />

15 years ago with Elders, some of<br />

whom are sadly no longer with us<br />

today.<br />

Current and future generations<br />

will always be grateful for the<br />

foundations that have been laid to<br />

ensure the long term success of one<br />

of Australia’s largest Indigenous<br />

corporations. – Steve Mav<br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Board appoints new<br />

Chairman and Secretary<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation’s<br />

(GAC) Board of Directors has<br />

appointed Director Stephen<br />

Peterson as the new Chairman of<br />

GAC.<br />

Mr Peterson is a Nyiyaparli<br />

Traditional Owner. His role<br />

on the GAC Board prior to his<br />

STEPHEN PETERSON<br />

Chairman - Nyiyaparli<br />

ARCHIE TUCKER<br />

Director - Banyjima<br />

CECIL PARKER<br />

Director - Innawonga<br />

DAVID STOCK<br />

Director - Nyiyaparli<br />

appointment as Chairman was that<br />

of Secretary.<br />

The GAC Board appointed Mr<br />

Peterson as Chairman on Monday<br />

June 25, <strong>2012</strong>. On the same day,<br />

the GAC Board also appointed<br />

Director David MacLean as<br />

Secretary.<br />

Stuart Ingie Snr<br />

Deputy Chair - Innawonga<br />

SLIM PARKER<br />

Director - Banyjima<br />

DOREEN JAMES<br />

Director - Innawonga<br />

KEITH HALL<br />

Director - Nyiyaparli<br />

The Board and Management of<br />

GAC wish Mr Peterson and Mr<br />

MacLean successful terms in their<br />

respective office bearer roles,<br />

and wish to thank Keith Hall<br />

for his tireless work and many<br />

achievements during his time as<br />

Chairman.<br />

DAVID MACLEAN<br />

Secretary - Banyjima<br />

SHANE DERSCHOW<br />

Director - Banyjima<br />

NICHOLAS COOK<br />

Director - Innawonga<br />

NATALIE PARKER<br />

Director - Nyiyaparli<br />

Page 2<br />

G u m a l a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 3


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

Bellary Springs celebrates official opening of new community centre<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation<br />

(GAC) has continued to break<br />

new ground in the advancement<br />

of important developments for the<br />

benefit of <strong>Gumala</strong> Members with the<br />

opening of a community centre in<br />

Bellary Springs at the end of June.<br />

Representatives of GAC, the<br />

University of Melbourne, and other<br />

special guests, joined the Bellary<br />

Springs community to celebrate the<br />

official opening of the state-of-theart<br />

building on 29 June <strong>2012</strong>.<br />

Officially opened by GAC’s Deputy<br />

Chairman and respected Innawonga<br />

Elder, Stuart Ingie Snr, the project<br />

was made possible thanks to GAC’s<br />

innovative partnership with the<br />

University of Melbourne and funding<br />

from Lotterywest. Significant in-kind<br />

assistance was also provided by Rio<br />

Tinto.<br />

GAC and the University of<br />

Melbourne are building a successful<br />

partnership. In 2011, GAC<br />

partnered with the School of<br />

Architecture, Building and Planning<br />

for the construction of an Early<br />

Childhood Centre in Wakuthuni. In<br />

<strong>2012</strong>, they have teamed up again<br />

to construct a community centre in<br />

Bellary Springs.<br />

Earlier this year GAC and the<br />

University of Melbourne worked<br />

closely together with the Bellary<br />

Spring community on all stages<br />

and aspects of the research and<br />

development process to deliver<br />

outcomes based on an agreed and<br />

shared vision.<br />

As the community originally had<br />

no shared space to gather for<br />

community functions and gettogethers,<br />

the project involved the<br />

design and construction of a centre<br />

where the community will be able to<br />

host community functions, provide<br />

office space for learning facilities and<br />

enable support programs to take<br />

place for: dental health; paediatric<br />

support; and cultural and education<br />

programs.<br />

GAC Chairman, Stephen Peterson<br />

said: “<strong>Gumala</strong> worked closely with<br />

the community members to decide<br />

on the location for the community<br />

centre. It is important for the<br />

community members that the<br />

centre had a view of the mountains<br />

in northeast Bellary Springs. The<br />

mountain range has a particular<br />

importance to many community<br />

members.”<br />

For ten days, 16 University of<br />

Melbourne students, two staff,<br />

GAC’s facilities and maintenance<br />

employee, Bruce Mahy, and<br />

contractors worked 10 hours a day<br />

to get the project finished on time.<br />

“On behalf of <strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal<br />

Corporation, I would like to thank<br />

Lotterywest for their funding<br />

support that helped make this<br />

fantastic community centre project<br />

a reality. Thanks should also go<br />

to the University of Melbourne<br />

for their ongoing commitment to<br />

working with GAC and Rio Tinto for<br />

their significant in-kind assistance,”<br />

Stephen added.<br />

“The community had no shared<br />

space to gather for community<br />

functions and get-togethers. GAC,<br />

the Bellary Springs residents and<br />

the University of Melbourne have<br />

worked together with the support of<br />

Lotterywest to give the community a<br />

place to go and give the residents a<br />

sense of community spirit.”<br />

Above: The Bellary Springs <strong>Community</strong> Centre (photo taken on the day of the official<br />

opening: June 29, <strong>2012</strong>). Inset: Image taken during the construction phase<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Elder and Bellary Springs resident Ken Ingie Snr and University of<br />

Melbourne’s David O’Brien<br />

Stuart Ingie Snr during the ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening<br />

the community centre. GAC’s CEO Steve Mav was the MC for the event<br />

Rio Tinto’s Lauren Heinritz pictured with GAC Elder<br />

and Deputy Chairman Stuart Ingie Snr<br />

GAC’s Indigenous Coordinator/Mentor<br />

Ronnelle Hicks<br />

Over 60 guests and community members<br />

attended the opening ceremony<br />

Lauren Heinritz (Rio Tinto) flanked by GAC’s Chairman and CEO Stephen<br />

Peterson (left) and Steve Mav (right)<br />

Cr Cecilia Fernandez (Shire of Ashburton and IBN)<br />

was one of many guests of honour at the event<br />

Page 4<br />

G u m a l a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 5


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> pays tribute to University of Melbourne’s team of students from the School of Architecture,<br />

Building and Planning for their skills and hard work on the Bellary Springs <strong>Community</strong> Centre<br />

Sarah Anderson Andrew Nicoll Nick Pappas<br />

Decking, playground and Wall framing and angle Roof structure and septic tank<br />

trimming<br />

grinding<br />

Dayne Beacom Alejandra Cordova Matt Breen<br />

Roof structure<br />

Ramp and painting<br />

Roof structure and shading structure<br />

Shajia (Kathy) Zhao<br />

Ramp and decking<br />

Johnathan Lovell<br />

Joinery, flooring and ceiling<br />

Angie Darby<br />

Entry facade, seats and<br />

cabinetry<br />

Ian Hince<br />

Decking<br />

Saumya Karwshik<br />

Painting and grinding<br />

Meng (Josh) Ho<br />

Floor decking and painting<br />

Kathryn Finck<br />

Bench, painting and<br />

documenter<br />

Steph Kitingan<br />

Deck and sewage pit<br />

Sam Franklin<br />

Front facade, painting and<br />

flooring<br />

Tamara Burton<br />

Finishes, ceiling<br />

and bathroom<br />

Page 6<br />

G u m a l a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 7


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

Rio Tinto to invest<br />

US$1.7 billion into<br />

the Yandi mine<br />

Rio Tinto has announced that it will invest US$1.7 billion to extend the<br />

life of the Yandicoogina (Yandi) mine to 2021.<br />

The investment is part of a bigger US$3.7 billion package to expand<br />

iron-ore production in the Pilbara region.<br />

Rio Tinto plans to expand production on the Yandi mine to 56 million<br />

tonnes a year. The company also plans to add a wet processing plant.<br />

The announcement coincided with the 15 year anniversary of the signing<br />

of the ground-breaking Yandi Land Use Agreement (YLUA) between<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) and Hamersley Iron (a wholly<br />

owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto).<br />

The original signatories (the Founding Members of GAC) negotiated in<br />

good faith with Hamersley Iron to secure the agreement. The process<br />

involved many months of tough negotiating and numerous meetings. The<br />

YLUA was finally ratified by a community meeting and signed in Tom<br />

Price on March 1, 1997. The agreement effectively paved the way for<br />

the development of the Yandi mine.<br />

The first regional land use agreement for a major resource project, it<br />

provided a comprehensive framework for protecting Aboriginal culture<br />

and promoting economic development.<br />

If it were not for the YLUA, GAC would not be in existence. GAC<br />

is proud of the many successes (economic, social and community<br />

developmental solutions for many generations of Traditional Owners) it<br />

has been able to bring to fruition as a result of the land use agreement.<br />

GAC continues to maintain a strong, positive and transparent relationship<br />

with its key stakeholder, Rio Tinto.<br />

The Rio Tinto Iron Ore operated Yandicoogina (Yandi) Mine has become<br />

Australia’s biggest producing iron ore mine, with a current output of 53 million<br />

tonnes per annum (mtpa). Rio Tinto has announced it is set to ramp up production<br />

to 56 mtpa and extend the life-of-mine to 2021. Image courtesy of Rio Tinto<br />

Wakuthuni<br />

receives special<br />

visit from<br />

education expert<br />

Well known author, parenting and<br />

education expert Maggie Dent<br />

concluded her visit to the Tom<br />

Price area in late June by visiting the<br />

Wakuthuni Early Learning Centre.<br />

The Wakuthuni community had<br />

been informed of her visit and<br />

more than ten children with their<br />

parents attended. After speaking<br />

to individual parents and enjoying<br />

the home baked morning tea,<br />

Maggie took the opportunity to talk<br />

to the adults about child rearing.<br />

Her amusing stories and gentle<br />

manner quickly endeared her to<br />

the young, all Aboriginal audience.<br />

She talked about her connections<br />

with the Aboriginal community and<br />

highlighted the positive practises<br />

of promoting independence and<br />

resilience in their children.<br />

She also challenged them to consider<br />

increasing their interactions and<br />

to monitor the behaviour of their<br />

children. Maggie endeared herself<br />

to the community and very kindly<br />

donated signed copies of her book<br />

and DVD, ‘Real kids in an Unreal<br />

world’.<br />

Teachers Rochelle Hooper and<br />

Mary Rice were delighted that<br />

Maggie Dent took time to impart<br />

some of her considerable wisdom<br />

and experiences to the Wakuthuni<br />

community.<br />

(L-R) Warrick Chad, Early Learning<br />

Childhood Teacher Mary Rice, GAC’s<br />

CEO Steve Mav, Maggie Dent, Louwena<br />

James and Lisa Wedge.<br />

Young designer a big hit at Perth<br />

fashion week<br />

A <strong>Gumala</strong> Member hit the runway<br />

with a ground breaking showcase of<br />

her Pilbara inspired fashion label at<br />

the Perth Convention Centre during<br />

Perth Fashion Week earlier this year.<br />

Lilla Gagliano showcased her fashion<br />

label “Kaninda Designs” as part of<br />

the ‘Dreamtime Showcase’ section<br />

for the first time. After eight weeks<br />

of hard work in preparing and<br />

designing the garments, Lilla unveiled<br />

15 garments from her collection on<br />

the runway.<br />

“What I put down on the runway<br />

was a striking easily recognisable<br />

collection, something that all<br />

designers hope to achieve. This is<br />

something that comes naturally to<br />

me, being inspired by my culture,<br />

land and people - this is what sets me<br />

apart from the rest.”<br />

The Dreamtime Showcase is the<br />

first section of its kind in the<br />

fashion industry in Australia to give<br />

Aboriginal designers an opportunity<br />

to stage their talent at fashion week.<br />

While it is a milestone for the<br />

industry, being able to attend fashion<br />

week has boosted Lilla’s confidence<br />

in both her business and herself.<br />

Over the five days, Lilla was able to<br />

meet, interact and stand alongside<br />

both leading international and<br />

national designers.<br />

“To stand next to Australian and<br />

international designers and know that<br />

I am just as good as them. Knowing<br />

that I can produce garments at their<br />

level even in such a remote area as<br />

the Pilbara with limited resources,<br />

I am so proud of what I have<br />

achieved.”<br />

However, it was her originality that<br />

moved the audience and gained<br />

her a lot of attention from famous<br />

International designers including<br />

South African designer, Hendrik<br />

Vermeulen.<br />

“The feedback I received from<br />

the audience who attended the<br />

Dreamtime Showcase is that<br />

they were amazed, excited and<br />

emotionally moved to witness such<br />

high quality creations coming from<br />

an unknown Aboriginal designer.<br />

“I had international designers coming<br />

up and looking at my collection.<br />

They could instantly see the quality<br />

and beauty of my hand painted silk<br />

and they were only too happy to<br />

tell me that I was creating something<br />

special,” she said.<br />

Whilst it was a first for the fashion<br />

world to introduce Indigenous<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Member Lilla Gagliano<br />

designers, it was also the first time<br />

that <strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation<br />

(GAC) was able to fund a Member<br />

to attend fashion week. Lilla received<br />

assistance from GAC’s new Business<br />

Development initiative to attend and<br />

present at the show.<br />

GAC Business Development<br />

Manager, Paul Avery, had the<br />

privilege of seeing her clothes being<br />

modelled at fashion week. Paul<br />

Avery: “Lilla stood out amongst the<br />

Indigenous Dreamtime Showcase<br />

with her striking and colourful<br />

designs.”<br />

Lilla is now working with <strong>Gumala</strong>’s<br />

Business Development department to<br />

grow her business and develop her<br />

business plan.<br />

“Now that I have received the<br />

exposure and have showcased a<br />

successful collection, I believe that<br />

with the continued support from<br />

GAC the Kaninda label is ready<br />

to stamp its place in the fashion<br />

industry.”<br />

Page 8<br />

G u m a l a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 9


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GAC continues to invest in the<br />

future of its Members<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation<br />

(GAC), has continued to focus on<br />

investing in our Members’ futures<br />

by introducing new programs to<br />

add to an already extensive range of<br />

Member Services programs.<br />

Over the last few years, GAC has<br />

been providing a range of programs<br />

tailor-made to assist our Members<br />

and their children. However, in the<br />

new (<strong>2012</strong>-13) financial year, new<br />

education programs and initiatives<br />

have been introduced.<br />

Over the last three years GAC has<br />

placed a strong emphasis on investing<br />

in our future generation through<br />

education. This has resulted in a<br />

dramatic “education revolution”.<br />

From 2009 to <strong>2012</strong>, the number<br />

of Traditional Owners we have<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> continues to<br />

invest in new programs,<br />

including education<br />

programs, for the benefit<br />

of current and future<br />

generations of Traditional<br />

Owners<br />

provided funding opportunities to<br />

has boomed from approximately 50<br />

to 750. This includes about 450<br />

primary school children, more than<br />

170 secondary school children,<br />

over 60 scholarships, and about two<br />

dozen tertiary students.<br />

Now in the <strong>2012</strong>-13 financial year<br />

we have introduced a wide range of<br />

new programs in the education area.<br />

For example, the Early Childhood<br />

Program has been launched. This<br />

program caters for 0-5 year old<br />

children, including the following<br />

funding opportunities: attending<br />

high quality Early Childhood<br />

Education programs and registered<br />

day care centres; educational items<br />

such as learning games and books;<br />

clothing costs, clothing required for<br />

attendance at programs or activities;<br />

activities conducted by other<br />

organisations (such as playgroup,<br />

swimming lessons, kinder gym, baby<br />

music classes); and Special baby<br />

needs.<br />

OTHER NEW PROGRAMS<br />

The Country Week Assistance<br />

program is a new initiative that<br />

covers camp fees, uniforms and<br />

equipment fees for rural and<br />

remotely situated <strong>Gumala</strong> secondary<br />

students who are pursuing excellence<br />

within their school’s sporting, dance<br />

and debating programs, and who<br />

have been selected to represent their<br />

school in Country Week activities in<br />

the various sporting disciplines.<br />

In addition to education scholarships<br />

that GAC already provides, GAC<br />

has now extended its scholarship<br />

opportunities for students in<br />

sporting, music and arts pursuits.<br />

Other programs GAC has<br />

introduced in the <strong>2012</strong>-13 financial<br />

year include the The Telstra Bill<br />

Assistance Program, as well as<br />

Business Development initiatives.<br />

These compliment GAC’s already<br />

highly successful portfolio of<br />

Member Services programs, which<br />

include:<br />

• Healthy living program<br />

• Medical program<br />

• Critically ill patient support<br />

• Educational programs<br />

• Computer support<br />

• Sports program<br />

• Funeral programs<br />

• Headstone program<br />

• Lore and Culture programs<br />

• Emergency Housing support<br />

• Natural Disaster Relief support<br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

Re-invigorated <strong>Gumala</strong> Enterprises<br />

secures major projects<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Enterprises Pty Ltd (GEPL)<br />

has secured two new major projects<br />

that will significantly increase the<br />

company’s turnover and capability<br />

over the next 12 months.<br />

GEPL commenced work in mid-June<br />

on the $1.7 billion Yandi Sustaining<br />

Project, providing ancillary civil<br />

works and other support services.<br />

GEPL expects to have between 20<br />

and 30 personnel onsite for the<br />

two-year duration of the project,<br />

which will extend the life of the<br />

Yandicoogina mine to 2021. Being<br />

at Yandi, where we have our Land<br />

Use Agreement, this is a very<br />

important project.<br />

GEPL has also been awarded the<br />

$37 million Mesa J TSF4 project<br />

near Pannawonica in conjunction<br />

with its joint venture partner<br />

Georgiou Group. This follows on<br />

from the successful completion of<br />

the TSF3 tailings dam expansion by<br />

the <strong>Gumala</strong> Georgiou JV earlier this<br />

year. Work on TSF4 will commence<br />

in early July.<br />

In addition to securing and<br />

successfully delivering projects, GEPL<br />

is also making strides in the area<br />

of health and safety, and is looking<br />

forward to celebrating 500 days<br />

Lost Time Injury free in just under a<br />

fortnight.<br />

This significant milestone could<br />

not have been reached without the<br />

involvement of all personnel across<br />

all its operations, and GEPL is very<br />

proud of it employees for putting<br />

safety first at all times.<br />

A NEW DIRECTION FOR<br />

GEPL – LIGHT VEHICLE<br />

SERVICING<br />

Not content with just winning more<br />

contracts in civil construction, GEPL<br />

is also looking at branching out into<br />

light vehicle servicing through a<br />

Left to right: GEPL Deputy Chairperson Natalie Parker, GEPL Chairman Sam Galati, GEPL<br />

Commercial Manager Jose Castillo, Georgiou Group CEO John Georgiou, and Georgiou Group<br />

Executive Officer John Galvin signing the contract for the Mesa J TSF4 contract<br />

partnership with a major motoring<br />

group, DVG.<br />

Utilising space in its existing<br />

workshop in Tom Price, GEPL will<br />

be ready to start servicing light<br />

vehicles as early as July under the<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> DVG JV banner.<br />

The partnership with DVG is an<br />

excellent opportunity for GEPL’s<br />

personnel to receive training from<br />

DVG’s specialised mechanics.<br />

It will also mean that people from<br />

Tom Price and Paraburdoo who<br />

own a range of cars – from Toyotas<br />

to Hyundais – will no longer have<br />

to go all the way to Karratha or<br />

Port Hedland to get their vehicles<br />

serviced; they’ll be able to do it<br />

much closer to home.<br />

The new light vehicle servicing and<br />

repair centre will also create far<br />

greater training and employment<br />

opportunities for <strong>Gumala</strong> Members<br />

in the automotive trades.<br />

Lore camp<br />

upgrades<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal<br />

Corporation (GAC) has<br />

purchased two new generators<br />

to help support our Members’<br />

lore activities as part of<br />

GAC’s Lore Camp Upgrade<br />

program.<br />

These generators will be<br />

kept and maintained by<br />

GAC and moved within the<br />

communities of Bellary and<br />

Wakuthuni when required for<br />

lore activities. Peedamulla,<br />

Wirrilimarra and Youngaleena<br />

have already benefited from<br />

generators provided under<br />

GAC’s Lore Camp Upgrade<br />

program.<br />

Page 10<br />

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<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 11


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 2744)<br />

<strong>2012</strong> – 2015 Strategic Plan<br />

To become the leading Indigenous development organisation within Australia.<br />

To alleviate poverty through proactive measures to achieve economic, social and community<br />

development, while promoting and protecting cultural values of the Traditional Owners.<br />

To provide direct relief from poverty, sickness, suffering, destitution, misfortune and homelessness<br />

to all Aboriginal people living in Australia who are members of the Banyjima, Innawonga and<br />

Nyiyaparli language groups without discrimination.<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

Build self-determination by increasing<br />

stakeholder capability through:<br />

Members’ involvement<br />

Elders’ program<br />

Reconciliation Action Plan<br />

Strategically engage with stakeholders<br />

critical to the growth of the organisation<br />

Ensure good governance practices through<br />

establishing and maintaining agreed<br />

processes endorsed by the GAC Board and<br />

executed by the CEO through:<br />

Management Systems<br />

Regulatory<br />

CEO DIVISION<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

Increased participation by <strong>Gumala</strong> Members in the activities<br />

of the Corporation, including developing an increased<br />

knowledge and understanding of the role and responsibilities<br />

of the Corporation.<br />

Empower and support GAC elders to play a greater role in the<br />

community and the Corporation and to reinforce the<br />

guidance and leadership they provide.<br />

Develop a GAC Reconciliation Action Plan that includes an<br />

Indigenous recruitment and career development strategy and<br />

cultural and cross-cultural awareness training.<br />

Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key<br />

stakeholders especially Rio Tinto Iron Ore and the Trustee of<br />

the General <strong>Gumala</strong> Foundation, <strong>Gumala</strong> Investments (GIPL).<br />

Ensure comprehensive internal GAC management systems,<br />

policies and procedures are established including through<br />

annual reports, audit acquittals, delegations and reporting.<br />

Ensure that GAC policies and procedures are systematic and<br />

operate in accordance with the requirements of the CATSI<br />

Act, GGF Trust Fund, GAC Rule Book etc.<br />

Indirect assistance from<br />

GAC through<br />

coordinating actions and<br />

activities with key<br />

organisations:<br />

i.e. Rio Tinto and other<br />

Indigenous Corporations.<br />

Direct assistance from GAC with the<br />

provision of:<br />

> GAC Programs; and<br />

> GAC Projects.<br />

Indirect assistance<br />

from GAC through<br />

representing Members'<br />

issues and interests to:<br />

government agencies,<br />

not for profit and<br />

philanthropic<br />

organisations.<br />

1<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

Secure funding certainty by developing plans<br />

to strategically engage with new potential<br />

funders and maintain strong relationships<br />

with current funding bodies as follows:<br />

Identify, engage and lobby new potential<br />

funders<br />

Maintain strong relationships with current<br />

funding bodies<br />

Optimise program development through<br />

ensuring alignment with Members’ needs<br />

and desires using agreed and established<br />

mechanisms and evidence based business<br />

cases through:<br />

New projects<br />

Measuring ongoing projects<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

Research funding opportunities for government, philanthropic<br />

or joint venture opportunities.<br />

Develop funding submissions to secure funding for specific<br />

projects and/or programs.<br />

Ensure that GAC programs and actions are in accordance<br />

with its requirements as “manager” under the GGF Trust<br />

Deed and other agreed GGF policies.<br />

Ensure that the mechanisms and processes by which new<br />

projects are green-lighted are in accordance with GGF and<br />

GAC policies and procedures.<br />

Define effective measurement metrics to verify and enable<br />

best practice in the delivery and review of programs.<br />

Page 12 G u m a l a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n <strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 13 2


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

To improve the living standards of <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Members through the provision of support,<br />

maintenance and construction of the<br />

following community infrastructure:<br />

Housing<br />

Homeland Movement<br />

Project Management<br />

MEMBER SERVICES DIVISION<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

To provide affordable and sustainable accommodation<br />

options for the benefit of <strong>Gumala</strong> Members throughout the<br />

Pilbara region and beyond.<br />

Develop and deliver programs that assist GAC Members in<br />

accessing and maintaining stable, affordable and appropriate<br />

accommodation options.<br />

To enable <strong>Gumala</strong> Members in asserting and maintaining<br />

their traditional rights to land in the claim area.<br />

To assess the viability of different models for delivery of<br />

localised health services within the Pilbara.<br />

To deliver complex / high risk infrastructure projects meeting<br />

the objectives of the General <strong>Gumala</strong> Foundation.<br />

To improve vocational outcomes for <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Members and beneficiaries through the<br />

access to targeted training programs and<br />

initiatives<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

Establish and maintain the highest level of<br />

financial standards to support the GAC Board<br />

and management in achieving the goals and<br />

aspirations of GAC<br />

Develop and implement a training model that addresses<br />

vocational opportunities for <strong>Gumala</strong> Members and<br />

beneficiaries.<br />

Increased participation of <strong>Gumala</strong> Members and beneficiaries<br />

in traineeships and other vocational opportunities.<br />

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

To provide best practice services for the provision of financial<br />

management, standards and financial services for the<br />

corporation.<br />

Establish and maintain financial frameworks to govern<br />

financial processes and their interface with GAC accounting<br />

and operating systems.<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

To improve the economic independence of<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Members<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

To improve health outcomes of <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Members and beneficiaries through<br />

facilitating access to health and medical<br />

services<br />

To contribute to overall wellbeing of<br />

Members through promoting healthy living<br />

outcomes<br />

To assist in maintaining, protecting and<br />

enhancing the traditional life and culture of<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Members<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

To establish strong linkages with service providers able to<br />

provide “value adding” services and capacity building for<br />

Members wishing to establish a new business or restructure<br />

an existing business.<br />

To initiate profit generating business projects providing direct<br />

Member benefit and employment and training opportunities<br />

for Members.<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

Develop innovative programs targeting health and medical<br />

needs of the Members.<br />

Develop partnerships with external health and medical<br />

service providers that provide additional health benefits to<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Members.<br />

Develop and deliver wellbeing programs that demonstrably<br />

improve Members’ general living conditions and quality of<br />

life.<br />

Develop an effective service delivery model that meets the<br />

cultural needs of the Members especially for culturally<br />

significant activities and ceremonies.<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

To deliver Pilbara based outcomes<br />

To provide localised support for GAC projects<br />

and activities in the Pilbara region<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

Maintain professional standards across the<br />

workforce with high performance levels<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

To provide constant radio broadcasting services to Members<br />

in GAC homeland communities and the wider Pilbara region.<br />

To research and collect heritage material pertinent to the<br />

history of GAC and its Members and record and preserve<br />

historically important GAC documents for future generations<br />

of GAC Members.<br />

To establish a training centre for GAC Members that supports<br />

education, training, employment and overall lifestyles<br />

changes.<br />

To establish and maintain an extensive network of local<br />

contacts and stakeholders to assist GAC to provide high<br />

quality projects and activities in the Pilbara region.<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

Establish best practise HR frameworks to recruit, manage and<br />

retain quality staff who meet organisational requirements.<br />

Provide systems and frameworks to support a productive,<br />

safe and healthy work environment.<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

KEY BUSINESS OBJECTIVES:<br />

To improve educational outcomes for<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Members and beneficiaries<br />

encompassing early childhood to adulthood<br />

ASSOCIATED STRATEGIES:<br />

Increased number of <strong>Gumala</strong> Members and beneficiaries<br />

accessing educational opportunities within and beyond the<br />

Pilbara region for primary, secondary and tertiary education.<br />

Develop a model for the delivery of early childhood programs<br />

and infrastructure for replication especially within the Pilbara<br />

region.<br />

Support the provision of best practice service<br />

delivery and facilities for Tom Price and Perth<br />

offices<br />

Provide the necessary technology, equipment and support<br />

systems to enable the workforce to perform their tasks for the<br />

Members to the highest standard.<br />

Ensure that GAC has competitive and appropriate service<br />

levels, contracts, agreements and services which provide best<br />

value for the organisational requirements.<br />

Page 14<br />

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<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 15<br />

4


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

Praise from<br />

WA Premier<br />

The Premier of Western Australia<br />

recently acknowledged <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Aboriginal Corporation’s (GAC’s)<br />

important developments for its<br />

Members. In a letter addressed to<br />

the GAC Chairman in June, the<br />

State Premier, Colin Barnett, said<br />

that he recognised the investments<br />

GAC has made in developing<br />

community infrastructure for its<br />

Members in the Pilbara.<br />

“I have noted the focus of GAC’s<br />

independent investment strategy<br />

outcomes in 2011 which show<br />

important developments for the<br />

benefit of <strong>Gumala</strong> Members<br />

through the establishment of the<br />

early childhood centre, the GAC<br />

housing strategy and the elderly<br />

complex,” Mr Barnett said.<br />

“This builds on what I have been<br />

advised is part of a larger <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

investment program that has<br />

operated over a number of years<br />

that has sought to address many<br />

issues faced by <strong>Gumala</strong> Members.”<br />

Elderly Complex<br />

architects appointed<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation<br />

has appointed NBC Aboriginal<br />

Corporation as the architects<br />

responsible for developing the site<br />

layout and planning information<br />

for the proposed Tom Price Elderly<br />

Complex.<br />

Consultation with selected <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Members was held in July to ensure<br />

that the layout of the proposed<br />

units on the site best represents the<br />

cultural and practical preferences of<br />

GAC Members.<br />

Following development of the design<br />

information, it is anticipated that<br />

the final design and construction of<br />

the units will be tendered. There<br />

will be further opportunities for<br />

more detailed consultation once a<br />

preferred tenderer is appointed.<br />

Hard work pays off<br />

for <strong>Gumala</strong> scholarship<br />

student<br />

A <strong>Gumala</strong> student is excelling<br />

in boarding school life through<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong>’s Scholarship Assistance<br />

Programme.<br />

Brooke Parker (16), is sowing the<br />

seeds for her future and excelling<br />

at Geraldton Residential College<br />

(where she boards) and Geraldton<br />

Senior College (where she studies).<br />

Brooke joined the school in year<br />

11 at the beginning of <strong>2012</strong>.<br />

There was no forcing her to go to<br />

boarding school. It was a decision<br />

that she made on her own and one<br />

that was supported by her proud<br />

grandparents, Trevor and Doris<br />

Parker, who believe that education<br />

and having a dream is important.<br />

Brooke Parker<br />

“I told her she will never disappoint<br />

us. If she wants to go to Boarding<br />

School she should do it,”said Mrs<br />

Parker.<br />

With the encouragement and<br />

emotional support of her<br />

grandparents back home, it has<br />

been a decision that Brooke has not<br />

regretted. The new experience of<br />

being away from home in a boarding<br />

environment and a new school has<br />

not been difficult for Brooke.<br />

“From the day she went there she<br />

has never rung up and wanted to<br />

come home. It was a really easy<br />

transition,” said Mrs Parker.<br />

Geraldton Senior College’s College<br />

<strong>Community</strong> Liaison Officer, Kath<br />

Haythornthwaite, said: “Brooke likes<br />

being a boarder. She appreciates<br />

the opportunity to socialise with<br />

fellow students and participates in<br />

scheduled activities such as sand<br />

boarding, ‘sing star’ and basketball.”<br />

This year she is studying English,<br />

History, Maths, Human Biology,<br />

Practical Office Skills and Design<br />

Graphics.<br />

Already half way through her first<br />

year, Brooke has her heart set on<br />

taking a gap year after she graduates<br />

from High School before going to<br />

University where she plans to study<br />

law and be involved in youth work.<br />

It is a dream she has had since she<br />

was in Primary School. A dream that<br />

is within her reach.<br />

Whilst Brooke’s transition into<br />

boarding and school life has been<br />

smooth, Mrs Parker realises that it<br />

can be a different story for other<br />

children who may get homesick<br />

when they are away from their<br />

parents and families. However, Mrs<br />

Parker’s advice for other children<br />

considering going to boarding school<br />

is simple:<br />

“If you get the opportunity to go to<br />

Boarding School, go for it. A lot of<br />

the students get homesick but go and<br />

give it a try. If you have a dream,<br />

go for it. Even if you just go to High<br />

School, there will always be jobs<br />

when you come home. You got a<br />

dream. Do it!”.<br />

“It (Boarding School) does teach<br />

them (the kids) to be independent<br />

and the kids mature a lot while they<br />

are away from their parents and<br />

family.”<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Member forges<br />

mining career in the<br />

Pilbara<br />

A determined Banyjima woman has<br />

worked hard to create a career off<br />

the modern day mining boom and<br />

encourages young Members to seek<br />

a career path early in life.<br />

Karratha based <strong>Gumala</strong> Member,<br />

Denise Hubert, has landed on her<br />

feet and paved a career for herself in<br />

Western Australia’s mining industry.<br />

Denise took her first step into<br />

a career in the mining industry<br />

when she signed up for a “work<br />

start program” with Rio Tinto.<br />

Commuting from Onslow to<br />

Pannawonica, Denise started out in<br />

admin roles but moved up to jobs<br />

with Portacom Pty Ltd and Rapley<br />

Wilkinson, which introduced her to<br />

construction work.<br />

Although she had always dreamt<br />

of driving trucks, the work start<br />

program introduced her to the<br />

beginning of a career that she<br />

had never seen herself going into.<br />

Following the work start program<br />

with Rio Tinto, Denise undertook<br />

a second work start program with<br />

Eastern Guruma.<br />

While on the work start program,<br />

TAFE sent her to work as a “peggy”<br />

(cleaner), on the Western Turner<br />

Syncline mining project, located<br />

approximately 35km from Tom<br />

Price.<br />

“I worked as a cleaner because I<br />

didn’t have my full HR licence at the<br />

time,” said Denise.<br />

After getting her HR licence, Denise<br />

went on to a second work start<br />

program with Chevron working for<br />

Leighton’s as a Trade Assistant for<br />

four months last year. As a Trade<br />

Assistant, she did Tig Mig and Stick<br />

welding, gained tickets for elevator<br />

platforms and fork lifting, and<br />

certificates in basic computing and<br />

Denise Hubert<br />

First Aid. For Denise, the work<br />

start programs enabled her to gain<br />

qualifications in the mining industry<br />

and gave her a boost in confidence<br />

to further a career in the field.<br />

Looking back, she wishes she had<br />

taken up a career in mining earlier.<br />

“I should have done this year’s back<br />

so I could have worked anywhere,”<br />

she said.<br />

It is a lesson that she wants to pass<br />

on to other GAC Members: that<br />

you can do anything if you take the<br />

opportunities that are presented to<br />

you.<br />

“You can reach for the stars. The<br />

world is your oyster and there are<br />

lots of opportunities out there. If<br />

you take the opportunities that are<br />

given to you, then doors will open<br />

for you,” she said.<br />

Earlier this year she started working<br />

on the Gorgon Project on Barrow<br />

Island for Leighton Contracting in<br />

Health and Safety. Although her<br />

new role as a FIFO includes 28 days<br />

straight with 9 days off, Denise is<br />

positive about the role and enjoys<br />

the work.<br />

“Shortly I will be taking on an<br />

environmental role for Leighton in<br />

the field rather than office based,”<br />

she said.<br />

Mabo<br />

facts<br />

• Sunday June 3, <strong>2012</strong> marked<br />

a very important day in the<br />

history of Australia: the 20 year<br />

anniversary of the day the High<br />

Court of Australia changed forever<br />

the rights of Aboriginal and<br />

Torres Straits Islander peoples by<br />

recognising Native Title.<br />

• The man who led the legal<br />

challenge for land rights - Eddie<br />

Mabo - has gone down in history<br />

as a hero.<br />

• Eddie’s journey started in 1982,<br />

when he began a legal claim for<br />

ownership of his traditional land.<br />

• Ten years after beginning the<br />

legal fight to claim what was<br />

rightfully his, the High Court held<br />

that British possession had not<br />

eliminated his title. The myth of<br />

“Terra nullius” (land belonging to<br />

no-one) was finally dispelled.<br />

• The High Court ruling paved<br />

the way for the Native Title Act,<br />

which recognises and protects<br />

Native Title and sets up processes<br />

by which claims for Native Title<br />

can be determined.<br />

• After the Native Title Act was<br />

passed by parliament, <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Aboriginal Corporation was<br />

established in order to represent<br />

the Innawonga, Banyjima and<br />

Nyiyaparli peoples to negotiate the<br />

Yandi Land Use Agreement.<br />

That historic agreement would not<br />

had been possible if it were not for<br />

a great man called Eddie Mabo,<br />

who won that David and Goliath<br />

fight in the High Court. What a<br />

tragedy that he died a few months<br />

before the High Court decision<br />

was handed down. Eddie Mabo - a<br />

true hero and an inspiration for<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation’s<br />

Members and Staff.<br />

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GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> helps Tom Price<br />

celebrate NAIDOC Week<br />

NAIDOC <strong>2012</strong> images from Tom Price<br />

Story: Ronnelle Hicks; Images: Elly Lukale<br />

Damper<br />

Dawn Hicks during her ‘welcome to country’<br />

Above (centre): <strong>Gumala</strong> employees<br />

Kimicka Tucker and Georgina Keegan<br />

Ceramic Painting<br />

NAIDOC Week is a celebration for<br />

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders<br />

and is an opportunity for Indigenous<br />

and non-Indigenous Australians<br />

to join together to recognise the<br />

valuable contribution Indigenous<br />

people make to the Australian<br />

national identity.<br />

The theme NAIDOC <strong>2012</strong> was<br />

“Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40<br />

years on” This was not only a<br />

celebration of the 40th anniversary<br />

of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, but<br />

also an acknowledgement of the key<br />

contributors to its long history.<br />

This year’s theme celebrated the<br />

champions who lived to renew the<br />

spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait<br />

Islander peoples’ Tent Embassy in<br />

1972. Forty years ago, the embassy<br />

became a powerful symbol of unity.<br />

NAIDOC IN TOM PRICE<br />

Local Traditional Banyjima Elder<br />

and owner and <strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal<br />

Corporation (GAC) Member, Dawn<br />

Hicks, along with her sister-in-law<br />

Dawn Hubert (Yindarbarndi person)<br />

cooked traditional styles of damper<br />

cooking.<br />

Dwayne Galby, Innawonga<br />

Traditional Owner and GAC<br />

Member, cooked Kangaroo tails<br />

traditionally in the burn pit.<br />

The bush food cooking activity<br />

was to promote Aboriginal culture<br />

and provide awareness to the<br />

community.<br />

Local members who volunteered<br />

their time to this event included<br />

Banyjima Traditional owners Ethan<br />

Hicks and Delvene Hicks, along with<br />

Johnelle Parker, Cecila Parker and<br />

Hainse Parker.<br />

The theme of our NAIDOC<br />

celebration in Tom Price was<br />

“Gurrma-mayda Yulungga” - this<br />

language is the Banyjima language<br />

and was worded and granted by local<br />

Banyjima Elder, Traditional Owner<br />

and GAC Member Dawn Hicks for<br />

our NAIDOC celebration.<br />

The English translation of which<br />

is “We are together on Country”.<br />

Kangaroo cooking<br />

This theme was selected by the<br />

NAIDOC Committee to represent<br />

sharing of Country in and around<br />

the town of Tom Price. The official<br />

opening ceremony was conducted<br />

by Wayne Steves (Eastern Gurruma<br />

Traditional Owner) with Dawn Hicks<br />

to promote the theme “Sharing of<br />

Country”.<br />

The flag raising ceremony of the<br />

Aboriginal flag was conducted by<br />

Ethan Hicks and Innawonga Member<br />

Nathaniel Black<br />

Kyam Cook. GAC held a stall to<br />

promote local Aboriginal culture of<br />

Traditional Owners during the Tom<br />

Price NAIDOC celebration.<br />

Within the stall, art activities were<br />

conducted by <strong>Gumala</strong> staff members<br />

in implementing the activities,<br />

hand print painting and ceramic art<br />

painting on an assortment of ceramic<br />

plates and cups to share with the<br />

local community.<br />

The stall also displayed traditional<br />

Skye Cook<br />

artefacts along with a Banyjima<br />

language display and the promotion<br />

of <strong>Gumala</strong> merchandise given out to<br />

the wider community.<br />

During the NAIDOC celebration<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation<br />

provided traditional bush food<br />

cooking.<br />

Bush tucker tastings were also<br />

provided for the Tom Price<br />

community.<br />

Page 18<br />

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<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 19


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

Top flight footy player and <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Member takes Aboriginal youth<br />

under his wings<br />

A West Coast Eagles player and<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Member is encouraging<br />

young Aboriginal people to “leave<br />

no stone unturned” when following<br />

their dreams.<br />

Gerrick Weedon, (21), has been<br />

putting his best foot forward off the<br />

footy field to train in a second field,<br />

mentoring groups of teenagers and<br />

young adults.<br />

A year and a half ago, Gerrick began<br />

studying a mentoring course through<br />

the Wirrpanda Foundation. As a<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Member, he was able to<br />

receive financial assistance for the<br />

course through <strong>Gumala</strong>.<br />

Every Tuesday morning about 20<br />

young people and adults meet<br />

with Gerrick for mentoring. In the<br />

afternoon he takes the group to play<br />

sports and do other activities.<br />

The hands-on approach gives him<br />

the chance to mentor a variety<br />

of young people by changing the<br />

groups around every two months.<br />

For the traditional Banyjima man,<br />

the road to success has not been<br />

easy.<br />

It is from his own journey that he<br />

offers his words of advice to <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Members: Follow your dreams.<br />

“Follow your dreams and sacrifices<br />

such as living away from home,<br />

training and hard work gets you<br />

where you want to be. Leave no<br />

stone unturned and there are no<br />

limits to what you can do.”<br />

It is words of wisdom that mirror<br />

his success story. Gerrick moved to<br />

Perth five years ago and was signed<br />

up to play for the West Coast Eagles<br />

in the 2010 National Draft. Since<br />

then he has played for Claremont<br />

and was a key part of the Claremont<br />

premiership winning team last year.<br />

Gerrick Weedon photographed recently at a WAFL game at Claremont oval<br />

However, his dedication to his<br />

dream career in professional<br />

football has meant that he has had<br />

to sacrifice being able return to the<br />

Pilbara often to visit his family.<br />

Yet, he knows that such sacrifices<br />

have continued to pay off in many<br />

different ways. Mentoring has given<br />

back to Gerrick as much as he has<br />

given to the young people that he<br />

has worked with.<br />

“Mentoring has given me<br />

confidence, life skills, confidence in<br />

talking to other people and public<br />

speaking,” he said.<br />

For now, although Gerrick is<br />

inspiring the youth of today, his<br />

focus continues on his first love…<br />

Aussie Rules.<br />

He says his main focus for the rest<br />

of the year is to improve his fitness,<br />

remain injury free and continue to<br />

play good football.<br />

“We will see what happens at the<br />

end of the year…” he said.<br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Member’s life mission<br />

to educate Australians about<br />

“Culture Bound Syndrome”<br />

A <strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation<br />

(GAC) Member is breaking down<br />

the barriers to educate Australians<br />

about culture bound syndrome<br />

that is affecting the Aboriginal<br />

community today.<br />

Mental Health Worker, Estelle<br />

Stacey Ingie, is on a life mission to<br />

give back to her community and<br />

educate people about culture bound<br />

syndrome. Culture bound syndrome<br />

is best described by Wikipedia<br />

as “a combination of psychiatric<br />

and somatic symptoms that are<br />

considered to be a recognizable<br />

disease only within a specific society<br />

or culture.”<br />

In 2008, the Australian Bureau<br />

of Statistics stated that Aboriginal<br />

people experienced a 200 percent<br />

increase in hospital admission for<br />

mental health illness, compared to<br />

non-aboriginal people due to culture<br />

bound syndrome and alcohol and<br />

drug psychosis (dual diagnosis).<br />

Working as a co-morbidity counsellor<br />

at Graylands hospital in Perth, Estelle<br />

is often presented with Aboriginal<br />

patients who present themselves with<br />

psychotic symptoms such as hearing<br />

or seeing things.<br />

“An Aboriginal person may speak<br />

about their spirit, their connection to<br />

country and communicate with our<br />

ancestors and elders in content and<br />

spiritual beliefs,” she said.<br />

As part of her role, Estelle consults<br />

the client to determine whether<br />

the patient is suffering from culture<br />

bound syndrome rather than a<br />

mental illness, alcohol or drug<br />

psychosis. It’s a symptom that Estelle<br />

believes is too often dismissed and<br />

patients are often misdiagnosed as<br />

having a mental illness.<br />

“An Aboriginal person who<br />

may be experiencing forms of<br />

communications that would be seen<br />

as ‘mad,’ would then be labelled<br />

for having some form of mental<br />

disorder or illness which often leads<br />

to misdiagnosis compared to a non-<br />

Aboriginal people whose religion is<br />

acceptable within today’s society.”<br />

However, in 90 percent of the cases<br />

Estelle deals with, her patients are<br />

diagnosed with dual diagnosis where<br />

the patient is experiencing psychotic<br />

symptoms alongside another disorder<br />

such as having another physical<br />

illness such as diabetes which also<br />

needs to be taken into account.<br />

A proud Innawonga woman, Estelle<br />

knows all too well about the grief,<br />

loss and trauma that the Aboriginal<br />

community has endured. Born in<br />

Perth but raised in Onslow, Estelle<br />

has witnessed her own family deal<br />

with the trauma shared by the<br />

community.<br />

“I have witnessed the grief, loss and<br />

trauma my family has to deal with.<br />

Still to this day, there are a lot of<br />

unresolved questions and they may<br />

never receive the answers,” said<br />

Estelle.<br />

It is a trauma that has stemmed<br />

through generations of Aboriginal<br />

families and the questions raised in<br />

recent years on how to close the gap<br />

on a now trans-generational problem<br />

ignited Estelle’s passion for health<br />

and mental health.<br />

A calling that has led her on to a<br />

life changing career specialising in<br />

dual diagnosis and culture bound<br />

syndrome.<br />

Alongside her work with diagnosing<br />

clients with dual diagnosis and<br />

culture bound syndrome, Estelle is<br />

Above: Estelle Ingie<br />

educating doctors at the hospital<br />

about the reality of the syndrome.<br />

Estelle’s calling into a career in<br />

health began in 2004 when she<br />

started working as a counsellor in<br />

Tom Price. Two years later she<br />

graduated with her first degree in<br />

psychotherapy and counselling from<br />

Notre Dame University, Broome.<br />

After graduation she had the honour<br />

of moving to the Kimberley region<br />

for six years where she was able to<br />

bring her skills to the community.<br />

“I had the privilege to work in<br />

the Pilbara and Kimberley region<br />

as a Mental Health Worker. I have<br />

worked for WA Country Health for<br />

the last 7 years in Mental Health. I<br />

now have a greater understanding of<br />

mental health and how it impacts all<br />

of us as individuals, family and the<br />

whole community.”<br />

Today she is in her third year of a<br />

health science (mental health) degree<br />

specialising in dual diagnosis at<br />

Charles Sturt University.<br />

With only two more blocks to<br />

complete until she graduates with her<br />

second degree, Estelle is hopeful that<br />

one day she will return to Tom Price<br />

and conduct workshops in alcohol<br />

and drug intervention and prevention<br />

within the community.<br />

Page 20<br />

G u m a l a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 21


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

<strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Radio<br />

transmitter<br />

upgrades<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Radio has recently<br />

completed important transmitter<br />

upgrades at various towns and<br />

communities, including upgrades at<br />

Karijini National Park and Karijini<br />

Eco Retreat.<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Radio Broadcaster Tadam<br />

(John) Lockyer and Technician<br />

Mike Ryan switched on the <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Radio transmitter at the Ranger’s<br />

headquarters at Karijini National<br />

Park in late June. This involved<br />

crawling around roofs and dongas,<br />

putting up the antennas and installing<br />

the equipment.<br />

The new transmitter broadcasts<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Radio over a 10 km<br />

radius, which covers the Rangers<br />

headquarters (HQ). It also provides<br />

a signal in the park between Karijini<br />

Drive and the Visitor’s Centre.<br />

People driving into the park can<br />

pick up <strong>Gumala</strong> Radio about 10 km<br />

after entering the park and receive<br />

it almost all the way to Tom Price<br />

along Karijini Drive, providing they<br />

have a good car radio.<br />

There is a small gap (about 5 km)<br />

where the signal from the Ranger’s<br />

transmitter drops out and the signal<br />

from Tom Price isn’t available.<br />

Another transmitter is being installed<br />

at the Karijini Eco Retreat which<br />

will also cover a 10 km radius. This<br />

should allow people to pick up the<br />

signal pretty much all the way from<br />

Tom Price to the Eco Retreat as<br />

well as between the Visitor’s Centre<br />

and the Eco Retreat. All three<br />

transmitters (Tom Price; Ranger’s<br />

HQ and Eco Resort) are on the<br />

same channel: 106.5 FM.<br />

Outdoor broadcast a<br />

big hit in Onslow<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Radio Broadcaster John (Tadam) Lockyer performed a live outdoor<br />

broadcast from Onslow <strong>Community</strong> Gardens in late June. Many Onslow<br />

residents and their children (including <strong>Gumala</strong> kids) turned up to listen to the<br />

broadcast while others were interviewed.<br />

Residents also enjoyed a BBQ of cooked sausages and steak put on by the<br />

Shire of Ashburton.<br />

Tadam: “This was a typical <strong>Gumala</strong> Radio outdoor broadcast in that it was<br />

both educational and entertaining for everyone in the local community who<br />

came along.<br />

“It’s community engagement events like this one that act as a reconciliation<br />

bridge. One fascinating part of the outdoor broadcast was interviewing a<br />

member of the local community who gave a fascinating insight into the history<br />

of Onslow, what he has witnessed in the town during his life, and what’s on<br />

the horizon for Onslow.<br />

“Overall it was a very enjoyable day, and both kids and adults alike had a<br />

great time. We are planning to do a lot more outdoor broadcasts out there<br />

in several Pilbara communities in the future, as they are a great platform for<br />

bringing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities together.”<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Radio is available in the following communities:<br />

Bellary Springs 101.7 FM Roebourne 102.9 FM<br />

Onslow 102.7 FM Wakuthuni 104.9 FM<br />

Youngaleena 102.1 FM Tom Price 106.5 FM<br />

Paraburdoo 102.9 FM<br />

Or listen online: www.gumala.com.au<br />

Image taken at the recent <strong>Gumala</strong> Radio outdoor broadcast in Onslow are: (left - right)<br />

Alearia Dellaporte, Kaitlyn Kelly, Tadam Lockyer (<strong>Gumala</strong> Radio Broadcaster), Cory<br />

Ellen, Kassim Ellen, Mike Ryan (<strong>Gumala</strong> Radio Technician) and Brody Kelly<br />

Champion boxer set<br />

to defend his title at<br />

the Golden Gloves<br />

A young champion boxer is back<br />

in the training ring and is set to<br />

“defend his title” at the Golden<br />

Gloves competition in Queensland<br />

next month.<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Member, Jayden Hansen<br />

(19), has upped the training with<br />

the determination to take out the<br />

Golden Gloves Competition again<br />

this year.<br />

Jayden’s come-back to the ring<br />

comes just months after he missed<br />

out on selection for the <strong>2012</strong><br />

London Olympics by a hairs breath<br />

when he finished in third place at<br />

the National Championships in<br />

Hobart (he needed to finish either<br />

first or second).<br />

However, coming third has not held<br />

Jayden back. As <strong>Gumala</strong> <strong>News</strong> was<br />

going to press (late July), Jayden<br />

was fully focused on defending his<br />

title in the lead-up to fighting some<br />

of the best boxers from across<br />

Australia, England and New Zealand<br />

in <strong>August</strong>.<br />

“I want to win the Golden Gloves<br />

again. I want to defend my title,” he<br />

said.<br />

So what does it take to be a<br />

champion boxer? Jayden has been<br />

training at Fox’s gym in Gosnells<br />

daily and is also working hard on a<br />

rigorous training program filled with<br />

running, conditioning and sparring.<br />

Let’s not forget – the intense<br />

training is complimented with a high<br />

protein and low carb diet.<br />

Like all good sportsmen, Jayden<br />

has two idols that motivate and<br />

encourage him: His mother (<strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Member and Employee), Paula<br />

White and his father Ben.<br />

“My parents are my idols”, he<br />

confessed.<br />

Jayden is a proud traditional<br />

Banyjima man. He has always held<br />

a strong interest in the corporation<br />

and one day would love to be a<br />

Director.<br />

In June, Jayden went on a two week<br />

intensive training camp in Canberra<br />

where he trained with the elite<br />

boxers from across Australia, who<br />

were preparing for the Olympics.<br />

While on the camp, he met with<br />

the boxers twice a day to practice<br />

partner work, sparring, technique,<br />

rigorous training and to motivate<br />

them.<br />

He returned to Canberra in July for<br />

one more training camp before the<br />

boxers take off for London.<br />

While the outcome of the Golden<br />

Gloves fight is yet to be determined,<br />

Jayden’s focus is not short-sighted.<br />

He is also gearing up for the<br />

National Selection Trials in 2013.<br />

He has to come first in the selection<br />

trials to qualify for the Senior World<br />

Titles Competition later in 2013.<br />

Further, after the Olympics, training<br />

squads will be held in Canberra to<br />

select a national team to represent<br />

Australia internationally.<br />

“My main goal after the Golden<br />

Gloves is to get on the team and<br />

represent Australia and to travel<br />

overseas to fight.”<br />

Jayden is one of many <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Members who receives scholarship<br />

funding from <strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal<br />

Corporation.<br />

Scholarships at <strong>Gumala</strong> are available<br />

(for our Members and Members<br />

children) for education, the arts,<br />

music, and high level sporting<br />

pursuits.<br />

GAC buys<br />

new tipper<br />

trucks for<br />

SPECIFICATIONS<br />

communities<br />

GAC has recently purchased<br />

FRR 500<br />

Tipper<br />

AUSTRALIA’S TOP SELLING TRUCK BRAND SINCE 1989. Truck tracker 2007.<br />

AT A GLANCE<br />

UPGRADE OPTIONS<br />

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY<br />

GVM four 10,400 new kg five-tonne AMT Pack: tipper - Driver airbag with seatbelt pretensioner<br />

GCM 16,000 kg<br />

- Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) - Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)<br />

Power 154 kW @ 2,600 rpm<br />

- Instrument panel multi-information display - Anti Skid Regulator (ASR)<br />

trucks for use on maintenance<br />

Torque 637 Nm @ 1,600 - 2,600 rpm - Cruise control<br />

- Hill Start Aid (HSA)<br />

- Electric mirrors<br />

work around the communities<br />

- Front stabiliser bar<br />

- ISRI 6860 seat with integrated seatbelt<br />

of Wakuthuni, Bellary Springs,<br />

Youngaleena and Wirrillimarra.<br />

These new assets will give<br />

the communities the ability<br />

to undertake a range of<br />

maintenance activities on the<br />

homeland communities and lore<br />

grounds.<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> <strong>News</strong><br />

is a <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

Aboriginal<br />

Corporation<br />

(ICN 2744)<br />

publication.<br />

Tracey Ingie, Terrance Malana and Stuart<br />

Ingie Jnr pictured at the opening of the<br />

Bellary Springs <strong>Community</strong> Centre<br />

Page 22<br />

G u m a l a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation Page 23


GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, AUGUST <strong>2012</strong><br />

<strong>Gumala</strong>’s Perth office fully<br />

relocates to prominent CBD<br />

location in Adelaide Terrace<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> Aboriginal Corporation has<br />

completed the relocation of its Perth<br />

office from Victoria Park to the<br />

Perth CBD.<br />

The relocation, to Level 1, 165<br />

Adelaide Terrace, East Perth,<br />

represents a major achievement<br />

for a growing organisation that has<br />

undergone significant growth during<br />

the last three years.<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> has also made many<br />

important executive and nonexecutive<br />

appointments during<br />

recent months. Earlier this year,<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong> appointed several specialised<br />

professionals covering specific areas<br />

of need including Member Services,<br />

Housing and <strong>Community</strong> Projects,<br />

Management, Human Resources,<br />

Indigenous Liaison Mentoring,<br />

Business Development, Finance and<br />

Communications.<br />

However, while the Perth office has<br />

seen expansion over the last few<br />

months, GAC’s CEO Steve Mav<br />

emphasised that GAC’s Head Office<br />

will always remain in Tom Price.<br />

Doris Parker, Maitland Parker and Trevor Parker visit the Members’ facilities area of<br />

<strong>Gumala</strong>’s new Perth CBD offices<br />

Steve Mav: “The heart of <strong>Gumala</strong><br />

lies in the Pilbara and the Head<br />

Office of the organisation will always<br />

remain in Tom Price. This is where<br />

our connection to country is and<br />

where our roots are. We are hopeful<br />

that with the ongoing development<br />

of the town centre, that one day<br />

in the not-so-distant future, the<br />

Tom Price office will also be able to<br />

move into a beautiful new building,<br />

much more suitable for one of the<br />

largest Aboriginal corporations in<br />

Australia.”<br />

Tom Price (Head Office):<br />

1 Stadium Road<br />

Tom Price, Western Australia<br />

Perth (Administration Office):<br />

Level 1, 165 Adelaide Terrace<br />

East Perth, Western Australia<br />

GUMALA<br />

Aboriginal<br />

Corporation<br />

ICN 2744<br />

Phone: 1800 486 252 (1800 GUMALA)<br />

Fax: (08) 9219 4555<br />

Postal Address: PO Box 3167, East Perth WA 6892<br />

Email: gac@gumala.com.au<br />

Web: www.gumala.com.au<br />

Page 24<br />

G u m a l a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n

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