Country, Culture, People, Future

Karratha

Community Grants available through resource companies

Posted: April 18th, 2012

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Applications are now open for community grants from BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto’s Dampier Salt.

BHP Billiton’s Community Grants Program provides financial assistance for initiatives that enhance community life in the areas of Indigenous wellbeing, environment, twonship amenity, quality education, health and wellbeing and community involvement.

Applications for BHP’s Community Grants Program close on 1 May. For more information email waironorecommunity@bhpbilliton.com or call 9173 6680 (Port Hedland), 9175 3505 (Newman) or 6224 4243 (Perth)

Rio Tinto’s Dampier Salt is offering financial assistance to short-term community projects in the Carnarvon, Dampier, Karratha and Port Hedland areas that are unique, innovative, address community and education issues, or require infrastructure.

Applications for Dampier Salt’s Community Grants Scheme close on 29 June. For more information visit the Dampier Salt website, or call 9270 9252

Computers available for low income families in the Pilbara

Posted: April 16th, 2012

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Families in Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham, South Hedland and Port Hedland can now apply to the Smith Family to receive a refurbished home computer, a four-week basic computer training course, and a year of internet access, all for free.

The Smith Family’s Technology Packs initiative, in partnership with Royalties for Regions and BHP Billiton, was designed to provide families with a computer connected to the internet at home at an affordable cost. To be eligible, families must have school aged children, have proof of low income status (health care or pension concession card), and not already own a home computer.

The Smith Family is a children’s charity that helps disadvantaged children. Click here to learn more about the Smith Family.

The “Tech Pack Project” aims to improve community digital literacy, equipping children and their families who may otherwise not be able to afford computers, with the technological skills that are now prerequisites for participation in lifelong learning and social inclusion.

According to the Smith Family, research shows that access to ICT (information, communication and technology) can increase study and employment opportunities for parents and young people, improve the capacity of parents to support children at school, increase the engagement of children at school, and improve individual’s self-esteem and overall wellbeing.

To find out more about the Tech Packs Project, or to register for a computer, contact Daphne Trevurza or Carol Warren (Karratha) on 9144 1854 or tsfkarratha@thesmithfamily.com.au,  or Nia Hadenfeldt  (Hedland) on 9172 2408 or tsfhedland@thesmithfamily.com.au

The search is on for the next Pilbara Girl

Posted: April 10th, 2012

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The Pilbara Girl workshops and competition are back again for 2012 and the search is now on for the next group of contestants.

Indigenous women aged 16-25 from Port Hedland, Roebourne, Karratha and surrounding communities are encouraged to enter. The Pilbara Girl program, now in its third year, is based on the successful Kimberley Girl program that has been running since 2004.

The contestants participate in a series of workshops in Port Hedland, Karratha and Roebourne promoting leadership skills and self confidence. The workshops are followed by pageants that give the girls new skills and opportunities and promote Indigenous culture within the wider community.

For more information and to download an entry form visit Goolarri Media’s website.

Aboriginal theatre company is coming to the Pilbara

Posted: September 19th, 2011

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Good Lovin’ cast members Alyssa Thompson,
Zac James, Shakira Clanton and Ian Wilkes.
Photo courtesy of Yirra Yaakin
Perth-based Indigenous theatre company Yirra Yaakin is coming to the Pilbara this week to present Good Lovin’, an original commission by the WA Health Department, written by Palyku playwright David Milroy.
The play will be presented for free to schools and communities in the Pilbara region from 20-23 September 2011.
David Milroy is an award-winning playwright (Waltzing the Wilarra, Windmill Baby), and has written Good Lovin’ to promote positive lifestyle choices.
The Good Lovin’ performance will be followed by a theatre and health workshop to encourage and support young people to make choices about what’s right for them by using hip hop and humour.
The performance and workshop program of Good Lovin’ will visit schools and local communities in Karratha on 20 September, Roebourne on 22 September, and Onslow on 23 September.
For more information visit http://www.yirrayaakin.com.au/

A chance for Pilbara young women to shine

Posted: August 3rd, 2011

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Pilbara Girl is an annual event which aims to showcase the beauty of local Indigenous women to the world and reflect the diverse culture and heritage of the Pilbara communities. Through professional development, deportment and grooming and modeling workshops, young women build confidence, self-esteem and pride to become the next role models and mentors for these communities.

All young Indigenous women between the ages of 16 and 25 from Port Hedland, Roebourne, Karratha and surrounding communities are called to participate.
The workshops will be held in Port Hedland August 15-19 and Roebourne and Karratha on August 22-26.

Entry forms are available from Goolarri Media. Deadlines for entry are August 7 for Port Hedland and Roebourne and August 14 for Karratha.

For more information contact Buna-Tuaty Poelina on 08 91955333 or buna-tuaty.poelina@gme.com.au

NAIDOC profile: The Bartlett Brothers

Posted: July 5th, 2011

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The Bartlett Brothers is an Indigenous rock band made up of sing-songwriter multi instrumentalists Phil and Jason Bartlett, their younger brother Azrael on drums and bassist Rob Findlay. They describe their music as “soulful rootsy pop rock sounds with soaring harmonies”, and they draw imagery and inspiration from their country and heritage.

Set to be stars of NAIDOC in WA this year, the band is appearing at NAIDOC festivals in Perth and Karratha. “NAIDOC is important for everyone, not just indigenous people,” said Phil Bartlett. “It gives everyone a chance to feel indigenous culture.”

The Bartlett Brothers are no strangers to travelling up to the Pilbara. Although their family’s roots are in the Midwest and the Southwest regions of WA, the brothers went to schools in the Pilbara and the Kimberley. They have had plenty of chances to go back and visit, as the hard-working band has been playing gigs and touring for many years.

“What I’m most proud of is how hard we’ve worked. We’re now becoming recognised and well known, and it’s all through hard work. We’ve been doing this for fifteen years, it didn’t just happen,” said Phil.

The band is gaining plenty of recognition, as their list of awards keeps growing. They have received awards from the Too Solid Awards, WA Music Industry, NAIDOC, and Next Best Thing, and Jason made it to the top 24 of Australian Idol.

Phil says that the band draws inspiration from Indigenous musicians that came before them, like Archie Roach, who will also be performing at the Karratha NAIDOC community festival. “To be playing with Archie Roach is fantastic. Back when he started out it was pretty hard for Aboriginal musicians, but people like him set the way for us,” said Phil. “Indigenous music is getting bigger and bigger. There are more pathways, more money, more opportunities for Indigenous artists, and more and more of us are touring, recording albums, and putting up websites. It’s only a matter of time before the next big Aboriginal act becomes a household name.”

You can see the Bartlett Brothers at the Perth NAIDOC ball on Friday, 8 July and at the Karratha NAIDOC closing community festival on Sunday, 10 July.

Across Australia every July, NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In honour of NAIDOC 2011 YMAC is featuring a series of Aboriginal people and organisations that contribute to the vibrant Aboriginal culture of the Midwest and Pilbara. For more information on NAIDOC including its history and events happening near you, visit http://www.naidoc.org.au/.  

Applications open for Community Liaison Officers

Posted: May 3rd, 2011

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YMAC is seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals who have a strong desire to work with Aboriginal communities within the Yamatji and Pilbara regions and advancing their interests through the native title process.

There are positions based in YMAC’s Geraldton, Karratha and South Hedland Offices.

You would be working to ensure claimants are informed and can participate in the management of their native title claims. You would also be acting as a source of information to the community about the organisation, the native title act and other relevant matters.

To be considered for this position, you must address briefly in your letter the following selection criteria:

• Ability to effectively and sensitively communicate and work within a team environment

• Excellent verbal, written, communication skills

• Proficiency with computers

• Good understanding of Aboriginal people, their culture and decision making processes

• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills

• Current unrestricted manual ‘C’ class license is essential.

For further information about this position, please contact Human Resources on (08) 9268 7000.

Under S.50 (d) of the Equal Opportunity Act, an applicant’s Indigenous background is a genuine occupational qualification.

Job descriptions and an application form are available on our website www.yamatji.org.au, or contact Human Resources on (08) 9268 7000 or email jobs@ymac.org.au.

All applications must include a covering letter, completed application form, resume, and a statement addressing the selection criteria.

Applications can be posted to PO Box 3072, 256 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000, faxed to (08) 9268 7049 or emailed to jobs@ymac.org.au

Closing date for the above positions is 4.00pm Friday 20th May 2011

Country is our mother, the provider and keeper of cultural belongings. Country and Culture go together. You can’t have one without the other.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians throughout Western Australia, and on whose Country we work. We acknowledge and respect their deep connection to their lands and waterways.

We honour and pay respect to Elders, and to their ancestors who survived and cared for Country.

Our offices are located on Whadjuk Country, Southern Yamatji Country, Yinggarda Country, Kariyarra Country, and Yawuru Country. We recognise the continuing culture, traditions, stories and living cultures on these lands and commit to building a brighter future together.

Disclaimer: Caution: Please be advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased people.

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