January 2011

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

> Saddling up for a Kimberley venture

> From the horse’s mouth – a volunteer’s thoughts

> Getting it right – helps for a good culture

A milling venture in the NT helps furnish an income

They may not be calendar girls but

the lumberjacks take a good photo

CEO’S MESSAGEWhat we do is working!

FURNISHING A FUTUREA Northern Territory community has axed a potential danger and in the process developed skills which could see wood turn to gold.

43

GETTING IT RIGHTGovernance is not on everyone’s lips, but for a Western Australian community it is the pathway to ensure future generations know and understand their culture.

10

MORE THAN FACTSICV is helping to close the gap and how.

11

ICV NEWS2

Copyright 2011 Indigenous

Community Volunteers

ABN 90 093 123 418

Editor: Michael Cavanagh

editor@icv.com.au

If you would like to be included

on or removed from our mailing

list please contact the editor

by email or call 02 6122 6444.

January 2011 ICV News

Front Cover: Daly River Sawmill

Strip artwork: Rowena Lynch, 2009.

Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV) is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation

promoting human and community development through volunteers.

Contents

This newsletter is printed on

Australian made recycled paper.

SADDLING UPIt is a craft that was once commonplace in the outback and most country towns – in the Kimberley the skills of saddle making are being resurrected to assist a budding business venture.

DANCING UP A STORM

We take a look at a dance troupe

from central Torres Strait that

wowed them in the nation’s capital.

6 8

With 2011 underway ICV is looking forward to delivering real

outcomes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We will be working even closer with communities,

volunteers and other stakeholders – we want to look

at where the ‘gaps’ are to further refine our program

and deliver top quality services.

The past 12 months have seen some wonderful

achievements and significant impacts that improve

economic and social inclusion for Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people. We are determined

to use our resources in a manner that will improve

the lives of Indigenous Australians.

The stories in this newsletter are a great example

of what I mean. Our work ranges across the broad

spectrum of community and human development;

from health care to governance, from micro business

and tourism ventures to information technology.

Our community driven projects also traverse the

length and breadth of Australia. In this edition

we have included stories that range from urban

Melbourne through to remote areas of the

Kimberley and the Northern Territory.

While each setting and environment may differ,

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

experience disadvantage regardless of the location.

Last financial year ICV initiated 1038 projects

and facilitated 1063 volunteer placements around

the country, in urban, rural and remote areas.

As an Indigenous woman and a mother myself,

I know that we all want the same things for

our children: we want them to be healthy, to

have access to health services and housing and

opportunities for education and training.

We want them to be able to grow up and get

a good job and contribute to their family,

community and society.

3

WHAT WE DO IS WORKING

The ICV Board has appointed Stephanie Harvey as Chief Executive Officer. Stephanie is a Bidjara woman from Queensland. She has worked with ICV

as the National Operations Manager and more recently, as the Deputy CEO.

We want them to have the opportunity to develop

their true potential, whether it is as a parent

themselves, an artist, community worker or

wherever their passions lie.

ICV’s program commits to capacity building

and where possible, integrating with whole of

community development outcomes so that projects

are viable and sustainable. Indigenous people

and communities are incredibly resilient and

resourceful, but sometimes lack the know-how

to turn ideas into reality.

That’s why I love working at ICV because we work

with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

to tap into the goodwill and expertise of so many

Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike.

I am looking forward to working with you in

the year ahead, and keeping you updated on

the impacts your support is having.

Stephanie Harvey is CEO of

Indigenous Community Volunteers.

“ Our volunteers and financial supporters

come from all walks of life, but all have

one thing in common; you are passionate

about contributing to the wellbeing

of all Australians.”

CEO’s message

“The trees had become dangerous. They were dropping

branches on to the rooves of the buildings and while

no-one had been injured there was the possibility as

they caused a lot of damage,” Ian said.

Soon there were around 20 or so community members

displaying a “lot of enthusiasm”, eager to be involved.

“The whole place was a hive of activity as the

chainsaw crew were cutting the big branches while

the crane pulled the branches out and the tree

lopper was up in the trees. Another two people were

controlling traffic ensuring no-one strayed into the

area,” Ian said. “The bigger bits were then fed into the

sawmill to be cut into slabs for furniture-making.”

CDEP Coordinator Richard Fitowski, described Ian’s

contribution as “fantastic” which led to a “great

relationship,” enabling the community to contact

Ian on a semi-regular basis to discuss various issues

that may arise.

A point backed up by Mike Calvert, Chief Executive

Officer (CEO) of Nauiyu Nambiyu who says the project

has become an exercise for the entire community,

with children from the school often coming to watch

their fathers working on the scheme.

That is what the qualified engineer from Gympie in

Queensland’s south east found himself doing with the

Daly River community which is located 220 kilometres

south of Darwin in the Northern Territory.

While working in other parts of the Territory Ian had

heard that the community was pushing to start up a

sawmilling operation.

Local men from the tiny community wanted to learn a

trade that would produce income for the community

instead of relying on government welfare. We began

by helping them scope and purchase a mobile sawmill,

and then sent a volunteer to train them to make

outdoor furniture with the timber.

Ian soon found himself spending varying lengths of

time living and working with the community which

was “desperately looking for meaningful things for the

blokes to do” as part of the Community Development

Employment Projects (CDEP)-backed programme.

The community had purchased a portable sawmill

and Ian enthusiastically embraced the role when it

became obvious to him why there was the need for

the operation.

Many years ago when the community was operating

as a Catholic mission, African mahogany trees had

been planted.

The trees were between 30 and 40 metres tall and had

become a safety concern. The community wanted to

make the environment safer while possibly reaping

some economic benefit.

CuTTING A SWATHE

DALY RIVER

Daly River

Timor Sea DARWIN

As a 3rd generation saw miller responsible for winding up the

family operation, the last thing Ian Straker thought he would be

doing would be assisting in starting up a sawmilling operation

while being an Indigenous Community Volunteer.

4 ICV NEWS

“It has been a highlight for our CDEP. They [the workers]

now have a focus...It has got to the point where they

are working when not being paid. They have taken

ownership of it. They are so committed to it.”

Ian also believes there are other ways in which

the newly-acquired skills can be applied.

“I hope the expertise that has been developed can

be used to train other communities to safely use

sawmills that they buy.”

This is already happening with members of the

Wadeye community travelling across to Daly River to

look at the operation as it too explores the possibility

of getting a saw milling operation up and running.

Over the next 12 months, the community also plans to

build up a stockpile of processed timber which it can

then sell to furniture-making operations.

The first step in this scheme occurred when former

teacher and furniture-maker Peter Dorman spent six

weeks with the community as part of the ICV program

helping to develop their cabinet-making skills.

“I am here to basically teach the participants how to

operate a wood lathe and make bowls, etc. and then

to follow up making different pieces of furniture,”

explained Peter who is from a village near the NSW

coastal resort of Port Macquarie.

The workers have come a long way since Peter began

working with them.

“The skill level was very poor due to the lack of

knowledge on how to use the power tools and

machinery correctly. Woodwork skills were limited

but their eagerness and ability to learn has developed

these skills to a satisfactory level,” Peter said.

While Peter has worked as a volunteer overseas, this

was his first ICV project.

“I have enjoyed the experience and the interaction

with the workers. I have enjoyed seeing workers

develop skills and get a pride in their work and help

others with difficulties.”

He says a good example of this was when the workers

built a sign with the business name that was then

hung from the ceiling above them. This showed

how the operation had “built morale and pride in

themselves and the workplace.”

Some community members have also signed up

for a furniture-making course through Charles

Darwin University.

CuTTING ExpOSuRE

“ I hope the expertise that has been

developed can be used to train

other communities to safely use

sawmills that they buy.”

Ian Straker

They may not be your typical

calendar girl, but pictures of the Daly

River saw millers can now be found

in the homes of the region and also

some government departments.

When the men weren’t working on the

sawmilling project, they were taking photos

of their efforts using Ian’s camera.

As the number of photos increased, it was

suggested they put together a calendar.

“Ian and a few of the boys came up to my

office. I had a spare computer and they

put it together,” CDEP Coordinator Richard

Fitowski explained. “It came up really well

and the community was really proud of it.”

It came up so well, that not only was it used

by the families, but a number of government

departments also received it, and were full

of compliments.

Added to this, the manufacturer of the Lucas

Sawmill used by the community and which

is Victorian-based “were also very happy

with it” when the firm was sent a copy.

5

The 29-strong Urab Dance troupe from Poruma Island in central

Torres Strait showcased their culture with performances which

included the Great Hall of Parliament House in the nation’s capital.

KICKING up THEIR HEELS

pORumA ISLAND

QLD

Poruma Island

Torres Strait

6 ICV NEWS

The 29-strong Urab Dance troupe from Poruma Island in central

Torres Strait showcased their culture with performances which

included the Great Hall of Parliament House in the nation’s capital.

The young men and women – 23 of them are aged under 30

– played before packed houses in Brisbane and Canberra.

During their time in Canberra the ICV-backed group also

displayed their dance skills at the ceremony marking the opening

of the Indigenous art gallery at the Art Gallery of Australia.

In the audience was the Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

Prior to their Canberra arrival they also performed at

the Museum & State Library Brisbane.

7

TAKING THE bIT bETWEEN THE TEETH

This gave those attending the course the basic skills

to make small items which could be sold to tourists

who stop at the Doon Doon Roadhouse, located on

the station of the same name where the communities

are also located.

“Hand stitching is by far one of the hardest things to

master but by the first day they could do it without

my guidance,” Dave says. “I’ve trained people around

Braidwood, mainly students on work experience. The

Martins’ picked it up way quicker than anyone I’ve

worked with in the past.”

While things looked bleak for the original plan of

repairing and making saddles by the end of the first

week, all was not lost.

Dave learnt of a business in Kununurra which could

supply the right leather necessary to make a saddle

for the “one good tree.” A few quick phone calls, and

someone was despatched to town to pick up the goods

– although time was running out as Dave wanted to

be back home in time for the birth of his first child.

For one as experienced as Dave, using all the right

tools which include a sewing machine, it takes him

approximately three days to complete a saddle.

Dave who is from Braidwood just outside of Canberra,

was on his first ICV project. He spent two weeks with

members of the Speewah and Woolah communities.

Initially it was to assist in the repairing of saddles that

were being donated from the surrounding communities.

The plan was for the Martin family and several other

members of the two communities to use the renovated

saddles as part of their proposed horse-trekking operation,

catering for tourists travelling through the area.

However the promised saddles took longer than

expected to be delivered. When they did arrive it was

obvious to Dave who has 17-years experience as a saddle

maker, there was little chance of resurrecting the gear.

“They were irreparable, because they had been left

outside, exposed to the elements which caused the

leather to become rotten and brittle.”

Of the 10 saddles sent “only one had a good tree” – this

is the frame that is the base or structure for a saddle.

Fortunately during the wait for the saddles to turn

up, Dave had spent time with community members

showing them how to use the tools and having them

make items such as leather tobacco pouches.

The most “special thing

was getting to know

Indigenous people on a

more personal level”

Dave Cooper

Saddle maker Dave Cooper travelled a total of 9000 kilometres to work with a

community south west of Kununurra in Western Australia – to help develop a skill

which was commonplace many years ago – but which today is quite specialised.

8 ICV NEWS

KuNuNuRRA

VOLuNTEER pROFILE brian Lewis

Technically speaking – in my own words

In the time I have been with ICV I have participated in three

projects – while involving my IT skills – the programs varied

from working with a dance troupe in central Torres Strait

through to Melbourne’s Koorie Night Markets.

My ability to provide IT skills to communities through ICV

follows on from studying Information Technology which

includes a Bachelor of Information Systems and I am

completing studies in Geographic Information Systems.

Living in Tasmania I have always had an interest in exploring

our own backyard (Australia) and Aboriginal culture.

For a while I did volunteer work at the local library, but

after a while I started to look for more avenues to volunteer

and broaden my experience, which I was able to do after

registering last year with ICV.

The first ICV project was on Poruma (Coconut Island) where

a website was produced for the Urab Dancers/Buthu Lagau

Saral. It was an interesting and exciting experience out in

the Torres Strait frontier.

ICV then sent me to undertake consultation with the

Yarnteen College in Newcastle. Due to time constraints

the project was not completed and the organisation head

decided to proceed in a different direction.

In September I worked with three different organisations.

The main one involved the development of a website for

the National Native Title Council. This involved planning,

discussion about what content to include and image

manipulation.

With the Koorie Night Market I was advising the operators

on how best to manage their current website, update it, and

put them in touch with their host provider which provided

updated information. This was done after the previous web

master had left the team and another member was taking over.

The 3rd organization was called the Tarwirri in Melbourne.

This was simply about domain transference/meet and greet

and is an ongoing project.

Working with ICV was a great experience providing me

with further insight into Aboriginal issues and daily life

in Australia, especially in the remote areas of Australia.

I’ve also gained a greater confidence in myself and a

better ability in working with others.

Brian Lewis lives in Tasmania and has been involved

with ICV since 2009 after coming across the website:

www.icv.com.au

If you are unable to volunteer your time like Brian

you can still help ICV in its aim to close the gap by

giving a donation at www.icv.com.au/donate-now

However he had only taken the most basic hand tools

with him on his long sojourn as he had not expected

saddle making from scratch would be part of the plan.

Now he found himself in a remote part of Australia,

with only the most basic of leather tools, but with

eager participants wanting to extend their skills.

Simplified patterns for the saddle were drawn up

and cut and soon six of the regular participants

were working together on a new stock saddle with

the “one good tree” providing the base.

Success was achieved and a completed saddle is

now available for Joseph Martin who is handling

the horse-trekking business.

Mission completed, Dave headed back home to

be in time for the birth of his first son Jack.

With plans for further saddles to be made, Dave is

dealing with suppliers to ensure the communities

have the necessary gear to expand.

Having completed his first ICV project, Dave says there

were plenty of “laughs and fun”, the most “special

thing was getting to know Indigenous people on a

more personal level... a very fulfilling experience.”

If you, like Dave would, like to contribute to ICV

but are short of time, you may also wish to consider

giving a donation. Visit www.icv.com.au/donate-now

for more details.

9

A greater understanding of the system is one of the aims of a

Western Australian community as it looks to a possible native title claim.

Crossing the t’s And Dotting the i’s mAKING SuRE THAT IT IS RIGHT

THE NHuNADAR WATCHINAR pARNbA

COmmuNITY

The Nhunadar Watchinar Parnba Community

Aboriginal Corporation is located approximately

160 kilometres north of Geraldton near the mouth

of the Murchison River.

It is now confident that it is operating “in a true and

correct manner” after taking part in an ICV-backed

workshop on governance.

The Corporation is developing several projects

“so we can take our grandchildren and great

grandchildren back to country to learn about their

culture” – this includes building a cultural centre.

Members of the Corporation “brainstormed” during

the workshop and came up with a 5-year strategic

plan enabling it to apply for government finance

and carry out fundraising activities.

Corporation Chair Jennifer Clayton believes it has

provided direction for the body to be a sustainable

community.

“If we are going to be a corporation and go back on

to our country and care for our country we want

to be true and correct in the documentation so we

are complying within the rules and regulations of

our constitution,” she explained. “It has given us a

direction to aim for the future employment, education

and training for our children and grandkids.”

Assisting the community in its endeavours was Jennifer

Evans who has been involved in two ICV projects.

After accepting an invitation from ICV, Jennifer spent

four days working with the group which varied from

teachers, through to some involved in horticulture and

management – she was struck by their determination.

“The depth of the connection to their country and the

passion and commitment of the family to help their

community and country, especially establishing a

better future for the next generation. The members

had a very diverse and high level of skill upon which

to draw,” she noted.

The project was one that was evolving and Jennifer

observed that right up to the night before formalities

began certain aspects were being finalised. Once

things were underway the group was resolute the

skills picked up during the course would be applied.

“There was a clear determination by the group to

ensure specific aspects of governance became clearer

in the final briefing meeting the night before the

workshop,” she said. “The overwhelming pride of the

members when they had completed their vision and

mission statement was very moving.”

“ The overwhelming pride of the members

when they had completed their vision and

mission statement was very moving.”

Jennifer Evans

10 ICV NEWS

ICV’S ACHIEVEmENTS A SNApSHOT...

ICV is helping close the gap:

• We initiated 1038 projects

and facilitated 1063 volunteer

placements with communities.

• Four fifths of our projects

had an education impact and

almost three quarters had

economic development or

employment impacts.

• Communities reported that

two-thirds of our projects had

a welfare reduction impact.

• Almost one-third of all the

projects we completed were

linked to other ICV projects.

• 99 per cent of our volunteers

advised that they were satisfied

with ICV as a way of connecting

with Indigenous people.

• Our shortest project lasted one

day and the longest ran for the

entire year. The average project

length was 60 days.

• Almost three quarters of our

new projects occurred in the

Northern Territory, Queensland

and Western Australia.

• We grew the number of new

urban projects by 130 per cent

from 123 to 283.

• 73 of our volunteer placements

involved Indigenous people

volunteering outside their

own community.

• We injected $1.1 million into

Indigenous economies through

the families of the Indigenous

people we employ. We invested

over $3,100 in training and

development of each staff

member.

• Notwithstanding our program

growth of 140 per cent, we

reduced ICV’s direct carbon

dioxide emissions by seven

per cent from 639 to 592

tonnes. This is equivalent

to removing around 11 cars

from the roads.

ICV is growing from strength to strength with more

trained volunteers and more projects in 2009–2010.

A majority of our projects were seen by communities

to have encouraged economic opportunities.

11

info@icv.com.auFREE CALL1800 819 542 www.icv.com.au

NatIoNal offICEGPO Box 2213, Canberra, ACT 2601

Level 4, Novell Building, 71 Northbourne Avenue

T: 02 6122 6444 F: 02 6122 6470

South EaStErN (NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT)

DUBBO OFFICE

PO Box 6199, West Dubbo, NSW 2830

34B Victoria Street

T: 02 6881 1900 F: 02 6881 8866

North EaStErN (Queensland, Torres Strait)

BRISBANE OFFICE

PO Box 1585, Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006

Suite 25 Plumridge House, 36 Agnes Street

T: 07 3121 9250 F: 07 3257 3454

far North QuEENSlaNd

CAIRNS OFFICE

PO Box 2418 24 Florence Street T: 07 4050 1810

WEStErN auStralIa

PERTH OFFICE

PO Box 8770, Perth Business Centre, WA 6000

100 Edward Street

T: 08 9228 9151 F: 08 9228 9159

NorthErN tErrItory

DARwIN OFFICE

GPO Box 4033, Darwin, NT 0801

Level 1, 29 Cavenagh Street

T: 08 8944 7444 F: 08 8941 4533

CENtral dESErt aNd South auStralIa

ALICE SPRINGS OFFICE

PO Box 4936, Alice Springs, NT 0870

79 Bath Street

T: 0411 119 309 T: 0488 216 611

fuNdraISINg tEamGPO Box 2213, Canberra, ACT 2601

Freecall: 1800 639 565 Email: donate@icv.com.au

First we listen to what people need. Then we involve them in the process, and match communities with a volunteer who can meet the particular need of each project. The volunteer works with the community to find a solution that will achieve their goals, giving them control of their future.

Your donation will help to send a skilled volunteer into a community.

Send the form below with your donation to:

Indigenous Community Volunteers

GPO Box 2213

Canberra ACT 2601

CALL 1800 639 565

GO TO www.icv.com.au/donate-now

EMAIL donate@icv.com.au

FAx 02 6122 6472

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HELp TuRN pOSSIbILITIES INTO REALITIES