MARCH Beswick Floods CONTENTS New Councillor Elected... PG 4 Sport & Recreation Training... PG 8 Borroloola gets a new Bakery... PG 9 Stay safe this ANZAC Day... PG 9 Fun Day at Beswick Crèche... PG 10 Rusty Bugles... PG 10 Good-One Daga Project... PG 11 The Never Never Festival... PG 12 Drums are beating... PG 12 Barunga Festival... PG 14 ALGWA Conference... PG 15 Roper Gulf Regional Council PO Box 1321 Katherine NT 0851 Phone: 08 8972 9000 Fax: 08 8971 2607 The kids enjoying the Beswick floods READ MORE ON PAGE 13.... Page 2 Message from the Mayor Earlier this month I was invited to present at a forum on Remote Housing which attracted over 150 people from across the Territory. Minister Bess Price also attended and listened carefully to these discussions. The forum expressed a lot of frustration with housing and tenancy management, poor housing design, housing stock shortages and on whether we get value for money. There were also calls for Aboriginal communities to take back control of housing as it was managed prior to 2008. being “a lifestyle choice” and “not the taxpayer’s responsibility", and therefore essentially not entitled to public funding. I think this shows a very poor understanding of Aboriginal connection to land, the history of dispossession and the rights of all Australians to some basic support where they live. This is an immediate issue in many very remote WA communities where there is serious concern that the WA government is intending removing services forcing their closure. This is largely due to a reduction in Federal Government funding. This will only increase dispossession and have huge social costs. Aboriginal people should not be refugees in their own land. The forum made a number of recommendations and called for a full review of Remote Housing. I was also nominated as the interim Chair of the new Northern Territory Aboriginal Housing Board. These are the first steps of In the NT there is a coma long process. mitment to outstations and At the same time there has recognition of the imbeen wide discussion on portance of these to AboAboriginal homelands and riginal people. RGRC prooutstations and the re- vides contract services for sponsibility of government 22 outstations and we do to support small remote not expect any changes in arrangements. Aboriginal communities. these This was triggered by the There is however concern Prime Minister’s comments that this could herald a sigabout these communities nificant policy change in the way government will support outstations in the future. Land and connectionTony to Jack land is critically important to Aboriginal people and is much more than a lifestyle choice. The relatively small overall amount that is spent by government on outstations should be viewed in comparison to huge budgets for remote development across Northern Australia, often without clear economic benefit. In March I was also pleased to meet with Sam Bush-Blanasi the Chair of the NLC It was good to reinforce this important relationship between the NLC and Council. On another level we have completed a by-election in the South West Gulf Ward. Congratulation to our new Councillor Elect, Daniel Mulholland and all those involved. Page 3 Message from the CEO March is with us and even though we regard this time of year to still be in our wet season, where have our rains gone? Seems more like a double build-up happening in our region with the extreme heat going on. our programs and services in Council. The annual plan and budget is planned to be adopted by Council in their meeting in July. I had the first of many meetings to come with the new Chief Executive of the Katherine Town Council, Robert Jennings and together with the Chief Executive of Vic/Daly Regional Council we hope to collaborate closely on several initiatives such as waste management, and library services, for the benefit of our organisations and of course, all constituents in our respective local government areas. Council is now entering its important planning and budget cycle for the new year so we will all be busy bees until the end of July this year. This process enables us to review our annual plans and corresponding budget across all of Jilkminggan: Cecilia Lake Employees of the Month Employees of the Month are selected for their dedication and hard work within This month we were notified about the Roper Gulf Regional Council. Indigenous Advancement Strategy funding which we applied for from the - February Australian Government and, on the whole, the outcomes were mostly good, however the big loss is the Remote Head Quarters: Jo Nicol School Attendance Strategy program which will close in December 2015. We Barunga: Max AhFat will go through the process of dealing Beswick: Don Blitner with this in the coming weeks and months. We are assuming there will be a Borroloola: Arthur Mawson new provider to deliver this program, Bulman: Lex McInerney however this is unknown to us at this point. Eva Valley: Isaac Dai Mataranka: Pru Soler Ngukurr: Leonie Lansen Numbulwar: Jessma Saylor Congratulations to all the winners! Page 4 Youth Week 2015 Here are some fantastic Youth Week Events happening during the School Hol- · The Katherine Region Youth Group Basketball Competition on the 7 April . idays. · A walk in the Park at Leliyn /Edith Falls Get a team together or come as a (Sunday 12 April). A great introduction spectator. to the adventures of bushwalking. Booking essential with [email protected] 89738865 · The Youth Week Sleep over aims to raise awareness of homelessness in our communities and should be great fun! Caitlin at the YMCA 897222592 Welcome to RGRC’s newest employees Welcome to our eight new staff members who have joined Roper Gulf Regional Council in the past month; May Brazil and Wayne Thomas May Brazil – Numbulwar SASO Wayne Thomas – RJCP Logistics Officer Tony Wall – Barunga Fencing Officer Owen Daylight and Bianca Collins – Jilkminggan NP Alister Andrews and Preston Lee – Barunga NP Brian Beveridgde – RJCP Regional Manager Do you like getting your local news fresh? Roper Gulf Regional Council’s Facebook page is an immediate way of gaining breaking news from the source. You will find employment opportunities, event information, sport event photos, meeting dates and much more! LIKE OUR PAGE TODAY Page 5 Employee Profile Lokesh Anand - Finance Manager Reports to: Director of Corporate Governance (Greg Arnott) Lokesh has worked for RGRC in Finance since 2011 and as Finance Manager since 2012. Before he came to Roper Gulf Regional Council he worked for the Mt Isa City Council and public accountants. He has a Masters of Accounting Degree from CQ University and a CPA. As Finance Manager, he is responsible for financial operations of Council including budgeting, analysing and reporting. He ensures information is simplified and easily available to Councillors, Local Authority Members, managers and others in the Council. Lokesh is a good all round cricketer and plays with the Katherine Cows A grade. “In my experience of cricket, you need to be a bit obsessed with the meaning and pattern in numbers and statistics.’ It would seem a natural partnering for a man immersed in numbers and balancing them in his work life. Lokesh was born and grew up in Dehradun, in Northern India about 250kms from New Delhi. He came to Australia in 2004 to get international qualifications and for the “… better lifestyle of Australia…”. Lokesh has worked for a number of different industries including banana and grape farming. Being a family man, he loves spending time with his family, his wife and his two year old daughter. He claims he is a good cook, self taught while he was at university. Apart from his love for cricket, he is a keen traveler mainly in Asia and Australia. ‘I make it a point to visit a new city every year. It gives me a different perspective of life” he said. When asked what the big challenges are for Local Government, Lokesh nominated the sustainability of Local Government and the communication of financial knowledge to non-finance people. The communications of useful and understandable financial information is becoming increasingly important and is an area Lokesh sees as a key challenge in his role. What have been his biggest achievements in the last four years? “A clear audit, efficient procedures, more detailed and user friendly reporting” he said without hesitation. He also adds “…building a strong and stable team in Katherine especially where turnover of staff is a key issue’. In ten years he thinks he will still be working in Local Government but nearer the sea. “Local Government is different to private industry but just as challenging”. “I do appreciate the opportunity here at Roper Gulf Regional Council. The Management is supportive, has a good plan and allows for initiative,” he said. Page 6 Out & About PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MONTH Title: ‘Ngukurr from the air’ Submitted by Jo Nicol: Local Authority Coordination Officer Top Left: HQ Staff gathered for Vai’s going away, Top Right: RJCP Staff at Ngukurr, Bottom Left: Luke MacFarlane, Bottom Right: Sharon Hillen, Vai Walford and Michael Berto Page 7 Above: Beswick Crèche, Top Right: Mayor Jack and Kristine Mulholland at the Numbulwar Community Meeting Right: Beswick Crèche Above: Michael Kokinos, Below: Beswick Crèche Above: Photos of Berwick's new SDC upgrade (before and after) Page 8 “Good organisation is the key to successful programming” 14 Sport and Recreation staff from across the region attending a recent training course at the CDU Rural Campus were told the key to successful programs is sound organisation. The training group was also shown ideas on how to organise with limited equipment and resources and how to improvise for great results. Mary Cunningham Roper Gulf‘s Senior S&R Development Officer emphasised the key message of the training, “When funding and resources are tight it is critical to plan effectively and use all our resources creatively.” As community based Sport and Recreation officers we often have to improvise as we don’t always have the best equipment and facilities … if we get our organisation right we can do as good or better a job than other well resourced programs. It is often the game or just playing that counts, not the facilities or equipment but we still have to organise and plan well” natural sights we have around us.” Mary enthused The training is part of a regular program of professional development for Sport and Recreation Officers organised by Roper Gulf Regional Council. The training combined staff from Roper Gulf and Victoria Daly Regional Councils and was part of Certificate II in Sports and Recreation. “The highpoint of the training was without a doubt a presentation by Richard Tambling, an NTAFL Development Officer, who gave us training tips and organisational ideas that will work really well in our communities. We also got to do a boat trip up the Nitmiluk Gorge, something many of our participants had never done. As locals we often forget what great Green Snaps The Green Snaps Nature Photography Competition for 2015 is calling for entries. The theme for 2015 - NT Environment –“Texture” Hint: Close up surface details that stimulate the sense of touch Entries close 8 May 2015. 0408440696 Page 9 ALGWA Conference - Barossa Valley, S.A. On Wednesday 25th March a contingent of RGRC Councillors and Staff joined other like minded Women Council representatives from all over Australia at the Australian Local Government Women's Association Conference in the Barossa Valley South Australia. The Conference delivered two days of speakers and activities that highlighted some of the issues facing women in Local Government and indeed the broader Australian community. ables man Richard Turner and many others. A wonderfully funny presentation was made by Hungarian Immigrant Villi Milisitis, who at 70+ owns and still runs Villi pies. Afterwards we all got to It was chilly weather at 19 sample the great pies degrees most days and which was definitely a the swimmers did not highlight. make it out of the suitcase, air cons were firmly set on 28 degrees. The conference hosted luminaries that included; Political Journalist Annabel Crabb, Climatologist Dr. Josephine Balson, RenewCouncillor Lee, Councillor Daylight, Director Sharon Hillen, Grants Coordinator Amanda Haigh and Jo Nicol from Governance attended representing RGRC. Safety and Care the Australian way This year is the centenary of the Anzac campaign and we Aussies have many qualities, like the ANZACs, to be proud of. Looking out for your mates; our strong volunteer culture, sharing in the adversity of natural disaster, these are just a few classic Aussie characteristics. The recent campaign, "Would you let your mates drink and drive?" Is a good example of safety and care the Australian way. This campaign tells us that we have a responsibility for our mates when they drink and that we should not let them put them- selves or others at risk and importantly we would like them to do the same for us. It is not a sanction; it is looking after your mate. We should go straight to our mate and tell him, take his keys and put him in a taxi or whatever is necessary. At work it is the same. If we see our fellow worker doing something dangerous we should warn him in a caring way, encourage him to do the right thing for everyone’s safety. If they continue we have an obligation to report this and not to ignore it or cov- er it up. Unsafe behaviour puts both the person and others at potential risk. Again it is about a genuine sense of caring for others. Failing to warn a mate when they are at risk because you do not want to interfere in their business is failing a mate. Common-sense is also another great Aussie quality. Safety; talk about and act on it. Let’s keep safe and look after our mates. Based on a letter from Paul Lavender Page 10 Community Round-up Plasticine crocodiles, puppets and dancing A cross generational gathering of staff, parents and children at the Beswick/ Wugularr Crèche and residents from the nearby Aged Care Centre all joined in a fun workshop that explored the use of puppets, song and dance in daily activities. Everybody at the newly opened Crèche joined in and were quickly engaged in the dancing and story telling. The ideas generated during day will be used by staff to enhance the program for children attending the Crèche. The use of simple puppets and plasticine models were used to encourage stories and creativity. The workshop, held in mid March was run by Michael Kokinos and Stacey from Blue Sky Therapies in Katherine who use Steiner inspired education methods. Rusty Bugles they go through boredom, the news of infidelities at home, endless hope for leave all coloured by unquenchable humour and optimism. It is a compassionate story about Australian soldiers fighting Novelist, play writer and boredom, loss and isolaTV script writer, Elliot was tion. born in Sydney and spent six months in Mataranka A controversial play in its during World War II. This time due to its raw lanbecame the basis for guage and content, the “Rusty Bugles” written in play was banned on several occasions. 1948. Rusty Bugles is set in an ordinance camp in the Elliot is best known for his Northern Territory in 1944. novel “Careful he might The men are neither in nor hear you.” out of the war. A cross section of Australian soldiers Elliot left Australia for the US largely to further his Watch out for the upcoming production in Mataranka of Sumner Locke Elliot’s play “Rusty Bugles” to be preformed ANZAC Day by Mataranka locals . career but also to escape his conservative experiences of Australia. He only returned very late in his life. He is unfortunately largely forgotten these days though his works hold merit and reflect accurately on Australian culture pre and during World War II. This revival of Rusty Bugles comes after an acclaimed production 20 years ago in Mataranka by local performers some of whom are coming back for a curtain call. Expect it to be raw and funny as can be expected from an energetic group of amateur performers. Page 11 Good-one Daga (Lovely Garden) Project at Ngukurr Community vegetable gardens serve as a model of affordable healthy nutrition in remote communities. The practice and knowledge of gardening was somewhat lacking in Ngukurr community. Good-one Daga offered interested young adults with an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in horticulture, including the sourcing and growing of Bush Food and Medicine plants. Approximately twenty male youth, were recruited over a 5-week period for the building of two shade houses and self watering garden beds in late May 2014. The seeding and maintenance of a variety of vegetables by the youth followed the building phase. Approximately 12 women, from a range of age groups, joined the project during the latter phase. The first vegetable harvests were recently gathered and sampled. Bush like bush potato, wild onion and herbs for various illnesses were collected by the women from locations away from the community and propagated in a shade house. Following this, they have undertaken a Certificate II (Horticulture) using the project’s infrastructure. Many important outcomes were achieved by the project. The building work provided disengaged youth with experiential learning of key employment criteria such as punctuality and attendance to work; planning and problem solving; undertaking written or oral instructions; effective teamwork and communication; and, WH&S issues. The building sites were also used as venues for mentoring talks by health professionals and provided the youth with important understandings on mental health and substance abuse. Women were provided with the opportunity to learn and grow vegetables and in this respect, have become role models for the community as well gaining an accredited qualification. The growing of Bush food and medicine plants has also initiated interest in the ethno-botanical culture of the community which has suffered neglect, especially among younger community members. In addition the project’s infrastructure and activity has sponsored a Bush Plants landscaping project for Ngukurr community which will be undertaken by many of the men and women involved in this project. The project has also become a sustainable venture with its concept and development making it an ongoing venture which has attracted support from other entities such as the Remote Jobs and Communities Program. We thank the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal for funding this project. Submitted by: Peter Stork, Youth Services Coordinator (Ngukurr). Page 12 The Never Never Festival After a year off the Never Never Festival is coming back bigger and better on the weekend of the 8-10 May. The festival is planned to include market and food stalls, a disco, the rodeo, art workshops with Leslie Nawirridj and live music with Tom Curtain. Sunday night will have a screening of the 1980’s classic documentary “Unbroken Spirit”. Oh and what would a Never Never Festival be without a mechanical bull and a merry-go- round ? Most events are free how- or family passes for $25. ever the rodeo is $15 for Enquiries to mataranka_ adults and $10 for children [email protected] The Drums are beating in Barunga It’s a Hollywood cliché that beating drums are a warning of impending unrest but in Barunga today they are signaling a rising new musical talent amongst Barunga’s school age youth. The drums are just one part of “Barunga Beats”, a skills workshop focusing on electronic music being lead by Barunga School Music Tutor Ben Andrews, in the build up to June’s Barunga Festival (6th, 7th, 8th). Ben, who in another life was a successful record producer with his own label, is supporting a talented group of boys and girls in developing original electronic keyboards synthesizer and drums music. The plan is to run the disco on the Friday night of the Barunga Festival and to do some shows as well. Who knows what talent might bloom. Ben says that he is, ”… focused on the sustainability of the program so that it has a lasting benefit. Last year the kids did the disco at the Festival…it was great event and built a lot of confidence.” “This has been such a positive program and the kids have seized on the opportunity to develop their own sound and music” he said. Ben who has lived locally with his family for seven years is employed by the Barunga School. The “Barunga beats” has recently also had the luck to have James Mungohig from the well known Darwin band “Sietta” working with the kids. Roper Gulf Regional Council has supported the Music program at the school through a Community Grant for $2700 which enabled them to purchase a good quality electronic drum kit, the source of the… drumming… drumming...drumming.! Page 13 Beswick/ Wugular Floods Heavy rain in the headwaters of the Waterhouse River, following ex cyclone Nathan, preceded localised flooding that closed of the town of Beswick/ Wugalarr for three days in late March. River height rose to 8.7 metres at the bridge on the Central Arnhem Highway closing the Highway to all traffic. The flooding affected the lower part of town along Billabong and Balanda Street and up to the new subdivision. Residents from affected areas were evacuated on Wednesday morning to the Wugularr School or to be with friends and family. Power and water remained available throughout the new subdivision but the Aged Care facility was evacuated to the School as they had no power and sewerage. Council supported the evacuation and managing the evacuation centre. CEO Michael Berto, praised the work of Council staff and volunteers in managing the evacuation and other preparations. “The people of Wugularr are very resilient and used to flooding but our thoughts go to them as they deal with this difficult situation. It was really positive to have the Police and Emergency Services workers in town throughout the flood period. Council staff and other agencies worked very effectively to minimise the impact of the flooding. I thank them for their considerable efforts” Mr Berto said. At the height of the flooding a two metre plus crocodile was sighted in the flooded town centre. This prompted CEO Michael Berto to remind people about the risks of playing in flood waters, “As well as snags and submerged objects there is also risk of water borne illness from sewerage and the like. The muddy water also flushes out a range of animals like snakes and crocodiles.” Mr Berto warned. “…do not attempt to cross flooded sections of road. Attempting to cross deep and fast moving water put not only the driver and passengers at risk but also the emergency services personnel sent in to the rescue.” Mr Berto added, Council services reported that after the flood abated the evacuated Aged Care clients were tired but well and had returned to the Aged Care Centre and the town was settling back to normal. There was minimal damage but still some clean-up ahead. The Central Arnhem Highway reopened Sunday. A great morale booster was a corroboree held at the Evacuation centre lead by the elder song men and a bbq put on by the Night Patrol team. As for the crocodile, it is still out there, probably feeding well on the big Barras brought out by the run off. Photo courtesy of Mary Cunningham: ‘the Men’s Shed in Beswick during the flood Friday 27.03.2015’ Page 14 Top line-up for Barunga Festival in 2015 The countdown is on to the annual Barunga Festival which celebrates 30 years of art and music in 2015 with performances by Paul Kelly, Gurrumul, Sammy Butcher and Neil Murray. “The Barunga Festival is one of the Territory’s top Indigenous cultural, music and sporting events". Chief Minister Adam Giles said. “The festival is held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend from 5 – 7 June. It’s a great opportunity to see and share some top class music, exciting sport and fascinating culture – all of which are so important to life in our communities.” The 2015 music program will once again provide an opportunity see some of the best emerging bands and artists from the bush. “The bush band line-up on Saturday night won’t disappoint with Lonely Boys, Mambali Band and Manuel Dhurrkay from Saltwater Band all taking to the stage,” Mr Giles said. “On Sunday night on the Skinnyfish stage the Festival will feature legends Paul Kelly, Gurrumul, Sammy Butcher and Neil Murray. It’s an event not to be missed." The Barunga culture program includes storytelling, weaving workshops, didgeridoo making and spear throwing. The sport program draws teams from across the Territory to battle it out in football, basketball and softball. “This year will also include the inaugural Road Safety Short Film competition. The best films will be showcased with over $4000 in prize money up for grabs,” Mr Giles said. The Barunga Festival is part of the Government’s FestivalsNT calendar of business, cultural and sporting events. Tickets are on sale now available from moshtix.com.au. Tickets cover the entire three-day festival. Adults are $40, Children (12–17) are $10 and children under 12 are free. Gates open 10am Friday 5 June with final visitors to depart lunchtime Monday 8 June. The FestivalsNT Calendar of events can be found at: http://www.travelnt.com/en/ events Media Contact: Danielle Parry 0413 081 801 South West Gulf Ward By-Election declared The Northern Territory Electoral Commission declared Daniel Mulholland as duly elected as the Councillor representing the South West Gulf Ward of the Roper Gulf Regional Council following an election held on the 19 March 2015. Mayor Tony Jack congratulated Councillor Elect Mulholland on behalf of the Council and thanked both candidates for nominating. “Having candidates willing to stand for election to represent their communities is the basis of strong local representation. Councillor Elect Mulholland will be sworn I look forward to working with Councillor in at the coming Ordinary Meeting of Elect Mulholland to promote and strengthen our vibrant community” Council at Barunga on the 30 April. Page 15 Fresh Bread in Borroloola training/mentoring. Bakery Manager Ms Sommer Meadows comes with many years of bakery ownership and business experience. She has a clear goal to train locals to manage Each day, 6 days a week, their own bakery. the Malandari Bakery produces fresh bread and a The town is excited to see wide variety of pastry and this new business brought to Borroloola. cakes. Custom Birthday Cakes are a popular item, and Jo Nicol, Roper Gulf Refresh hot donuts start at gional Council Local Authorities Coordination Ofthe end of March… yum! More tantalising products ficer endorsed the new will be on offer as the busi- Bakery. “Local Authority members ness builds. were excited to try some Malandari Bakery, a part- new catering provided by nership with the local the new Bakery at their reMalandari Stores is also cent meeting. working with Gulf Savan- It was delicious! nah NT in supporting The menu included; Roast RJCP participants gain Chicken, homemade potaemployment and skilled to and coleslaw salads There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh baked bread to lift your day and Borroloola locals are following their noses to the new town bakery, located in the Shopping Centre. and served with freshly baked bread rolls. For dessert we were treated to Carrot cake. We will certainly order again!!” Above: Fresh bread from the Malandari Bakery Below: Birthday cake from Borroloola’s new bakery Submitted by: Nathan McIvor: Borroloola Council Service Manager Community Vet Visits - Does your pet need a check-up? A vet will be visiting: Barunga: Monday 30th March - Wednesday 1st April 2015 Borroloola: Monday 13th April - Monday 20th April 2015 Numbulwar: Monday 27th April - Friday 1st May 2015 Bulman and Weemol: Monday 18th May Thursday 21st May 2015 Page 16 Upcoming Meetings of Council and Local Authorities Date Time Meeting Location 30 Apr 8:30am Ordinary Meeting of Council Barunga Council Office 5 May 10:00am Jilkminggan Local Authority Meeting Jilkminggan Council Office 5 May 5:30pm Mataranka Local Authority Meeting 7 May 10:00am Borroloola Local Authority Meeting Mataranka Community Hall Borroloola Council Office 12May 10.00am Numbulwar Local Authority Meeting Numbulwar Council Office All Local Authority and Ordinary Meetings of Council are open to the Public to attend. Please Note: Local Authority Meetings are subject to change Job Opportunities For current jobs go to www.ropergulf.nt.gov.au or email [email protected] Contact Us RGRC Mayor Tony Jack Phone: 0428 793 132 Email: [email protected] Chief Executive Officer Michael Berto Phone: 0427 799 621 Email: [email protected] RGRC Deputy Mayor Judy MacFarlane Phone: 0437 918 115 Email: [email protected] Roper Gulf Regional Council Reception Phone: (08) 8972 9000 Fax: (08) 8971 2607 Email: [email protected] Do you have a story to tell or a photograph to share? Roper Gulf Regional Council would like to showcase your stories and photographs from our Region. Residents and RGRC staff are invited to submit their articles and original photos to be considered for an upcoming edition of the RGRC Newsletter, RGRC Facebook Page and/or RGRC Website. Please submit your material to [email protected] or 08 8972 9000
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