Staff showcase Council careers - Roper Gulf...

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JOB GUIDANCE: Customer Service Trainee Dakota Oxenham, Senior HR Coordinator Irenee McCreevy and Youth, Sport and Recreation Coordinator Charles Mbouti talk Council jobs at the 2017 Skills, Employment and Careers Expo on August 29. See more photos on page 4.

Staff showcase Council careers

Clients embrace new approach to Aged Care

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ALSO INSIDE

THIRD COUNCIL LINE– UP ANNOUNCED: P3

COMMUNITIES HAVE STRATEGIC SAY: P7

COUNCIL LAUNCHES ONLINE LEARNING: P8

OVERHAUL FOR CDP WORKSHOP : P9

ISSUE: 17/07

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Message from the Mayor

Message from the CEO

August has been a month of change at Roper Gulf Regional Council, and across the region as a whole. The weather has certainly taken a turn for the warmer, which means we will all be looking skyward for those first storm clouds of the 2017 wet season. The biggest change from an operational perspective over the past month has without a doubt been Council elections across the Northern Territory, which have resulted in 16 Local Governments welcoming new cohorts of Elected Members.

In our own backyard, five Councillors decided not to seek re-election, meaning eight new faces will be sitting around the table for the first Ordinary Meeting of Council on September 14. I congratulate the new Council and cannot wait to see who is selected to take on the roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the next four years. Serving as Mayor and leading the Council has been a tremendous privilege, and has allowed me to be a strong advocate for residents of the Roper Gulf region over the past

two terms of Government. My final duty as Mayor was as part of the Council’s Finance Committee, which met in Katherine on August 23. I believe we have left the Council in an extremely positive position financially, with countless projects being undertaken in community that will improve services, in addition to providing a platform for social and economic growth. All the best

Hello readers Is it just me, or is the warmer weather trying to make its presence felt a bit earlier this year? The August average maximum temperature for Katherine was an incredible 33.9 degrees, with staff at Council headquarters sweltering through a high of 37 degrees on August 17. There seem to be varying opinions on whether the build-up will arrive ahead of schedule this year, and whether those living in the Roper Gulf region can expect another bumper wet season. Irrespective of how much

or little rain we get this season, municipal services staff in community are working hard to ensure public spaces are clear of debris and infrastructure is ready to be utilised if needed. I had the pleasure of sitting in on the Northern Territory Electoral Commission’s result declaration recently, at which we were officially informed which 13 Elected Members would make up our next Council. It was great to see candidates make the trip in from their respective communities for the event, and I want to congratulate those who spoke following the declaration about why they ran as candidates,

and what they hope to achieve after being elected to office. Local Government is the most misunderstood of the three tiers of Government, so credit must go to the Human Resources team and staff who attended careers events in Katherine this month. Starting that conversation about the benefits and opportunities of a Council career with our future workforce is vital to our operation, and invaluable community engagement. Until next time, stay safe.

ROPER GULF REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 AUGUST 2017 (ISSUE 17/07)

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Eight fresh faces in incoming Council

NYIRRANGGULUNG REPRESENTATION: Newly-elected Councillor for Nyirranggulung Ward Wayne Runyu discusses Local Government and running as a candidate with the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Nic Sharah during the election roadshow in July.

Eight new faces will help direct the growth of Roper Gulf Regional Council for the next four years after the Northern Territory Electoral Commission declared the result of the 2017 NT Local Government election. The Elected Members are: Never Never Ward Judy MacFarlane, Annabelle Daylight and

Ossie Daylight Numbulwar Numburindi Ward Edwin Nunggumajbarr and David Murrungun Nyirranggulung Ward Helen Lee, Selina Ashley and Wayne Runyu South West Gulf Ward Samuel Evans, Don Garner and Keith Rory

Yugul Mangi Ward Eric Roberts and Owen Turner A Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be chosen from within the group on September 14. Chief Executive Officer Michael Berto congratulated the incoming Elected Members and said the senior leadership team was looking forward to a

continuation of the strongcollaboration that wouldallow the Council todeliver a sustainable, viable and vibrant Roper Gulfregion for residents and ratepayers. “Our new Council is a strong mix of old and new faces who have committed to being the voice of their respective communities and Wards until 2021,” he said.

An induction day outlining the legislative obligations of Elected Members will equip Councillors with a better understanding of the role Local Government plays when they meet for the

first time in Katherine on September 12. The first Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held two days later, in accordance with section 58 (3) of the

Local Government Act. The meeting, which will be held at 2 Crawford Street in Katherine, is open to the public, and Manager Governance and Corporate

Planning Amanda Haigh encouraged those wishing to attend to watch theselection of the Mayorand Deputy Mayor to call08 8972 9005 for moreinformation.

New Council prepares to sit for first time

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The variety of roles available and the career paths Local Government can facilitate were on show when Roper Gulf Regional Council staff participated in two employment events in Katherine this month. Community Development Program team members Nathan Runyu and Ronald

Blitner travelled from Barunga on August 16 to talk to students at the Clontarf Foundation about the opportunities available in community, as well as what skills and interests were needed to carry out their jobs. On August 29, Senior Human Resources

Coordinator Irenee McCreevy, Youth, Sport and Recreation Coordinator Charles Mbouti, Bulman Senior Administration Support Officer Velonia Dalywater and Customer Service Trainee Dakota Oxenham represented the Council at the 2017 Skills, Employment and Careers

Expo at YMCA Katherine. During the event, they spoke to more than 300 students from across the greater Katherine region about Council careers, as well as the vital role Local Government plays in the delivery of programs and services to more than 7100 Territorians in the region.


Council flies flag at Katherine careers events

LOCAL APPROACH: Senior HR Coordinator Irenee McCreevy and Youth, Sport and Recreation Coordinator Charles Mbouti discuss how varied a career with Roper Gulf Regional Council can be with a group of Katherine High School students at YMCA Katherine on August 29.

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Barunga Community Development Program team members Nathan Runyu and Ronald Blitner join Irenee McCreevy at the Clontarf Foundation careers afternoon to meet students, and discuss what a job with Roper Gulf Regional Council means to them.

Nathan Runyu talks about the steps he has taken to secure a CDP Employment Supervisor position with the Council during the Clontarf Foundation event.

There was plenty of colourful merchandise available for students when Roper Gulf Regional Council set up a stand to promote a career in Local Government

at the 2017 Skills, Employment and Careers Expo in Katherine this month.

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Life story learning aids Aged Care outcomes


LIFE LESSONS: Ngukurr Acting Aged Care Coordinator Kaylene Wurramarrba and Community Development Program participant Dianne Thompson prepare to deliver meals to clients as part of the Council’s innovative approach to remote Aged Care.

In the strictly-regulated environment of Aged Care, taking the time to discover the lives clients led before requiring assistance often takes a back seat to ensuring the support provided complies with legislative requirements. But putting a focus on learning about and recording the stories of clients in its remote Aged Care facilities is providing the Council with best-practice results that are being recognised at a national level. The Council delivers Aged

Care services in seven remote Indigenous communities, meaning the tyranny of distance is often assumed to be the biggest challenge for both staff and clients. While isolation can play a part in the success or failure of service delivery, Community Services Regional Manager Annalisa Bowden explained that the simple act of getting to know clients was allowing the Council to overcome the hurdle of remoteness. “The biggest challenge we face is not distance or

isolation, it’s about failing to recognise the lives our clients lived in their younger years,” she said. “Aged Care is not just providing a service, it’s about listening to their story.” As part of the unique approach, staff are documenting every client’s story to provide key information about what they did in their working life, their family, and the cultural role they played and continue to play in their community. Mrs Bowden said the model

facilitated a closer connection with clients, in addition to creating training and employment opportunities for local Indigenous staff. “Our dedicated staff are building relationships, inspiring social change, empowering people and ultimately challenging the status quo when it comes to Aged Care,” she said. “The client’s story is the most important thing you can provide your staff, and I think the positive outcomes Council has recorded recently prove this.”

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All roads in the Roper Gulf region will lead to Numbulwar in the third week of September as the remote community prepares to welcome patrons for the 2017 Numburindi Festival. Hundreds of people are tipped to make the journey to Numbulwar for the annual event, which begins on September 14. The event, which is supported by the Council, is organised by the community and Artback NT,

and promises three days of fun that will unite the community in a celebration of youth and culture. “This festival highlights the diversity of our proud language, dance and song,” a spokesperson said. “Over the three days, there will be special performances from local clans and youth bands, and external dance groups on stage each night, as well as a market with bush tucker and a range of children’s activities.”

Numbulwar rolls out festival red carpet


Communities speak up on Strategic Plan As Roper Gulf Regional Council continues to develop its 2018-21 Strategic Plan, stakeholders across the region are having their say as part of an exhaustive community consultation process. Local Authorities have been briefed on the creation of the plan, and how the Council will use it to determine its operational objectives and goals for the next four years, and residents have been completing surveys that show what they believe should be the strategic priorities of the organisation. Manager Governance and Corporate Planning Amanda Haigh said feedback from communities had been extremely positive so far. “This consultation period gives people a chance to say what is important to them,” she said.

STRATEGIC APPROACH: Council staff discuss the consultation process for the 2018-21 Strategic Plan with members of the Hodgson Downs Local Authority this month.

FESTIVAL FUN: Numbulwar will come alive with song and dance from September 14 for the annual Numburindi Festival.

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Melissa Amarant has been announced as the Council’s new Contacts Manager following an extensive recruitment process. With nine years’ experience with the organisation under

her belt, Mrs Amarant has a thorough knowledge of Council operations and has been acting in the position for several months. Director of Commercial Services Marc Gardner

congratulated Mrs Amarant on the appointment and said she was now responsible for overseeing all service contracts being delivered by the Council, including Territory Housing tenancy, repairs and

maintenance, Power and Water Corporation essential services support, street lighting and airports. “Melissa will be an asset to the management team,” Mr Gardner said.

Learning boost with launch of GO1

ONLINE ASSET: Senior HR Coordinator Irenee McCreevy demonstrates how easy the Council’s new GO1 online learning system is to Ngukurr Senior Administration Support Officer Patchouli Cross.


In brief Furniture offers client comfort

Aged Care clients in Numbulwar are making the most of some upgrades to their facility that will make the looming build-up more bearable. The Council has purchased an outdoor setting, a dining room table and camping chairs, as well as new lounges that will allow clients to sit in airconditioned comfort as the temperature soars.

$2000 for festival support

Children attending next month’s Numburindi Festival can look forward to hours of jumping castle fun following the Council’s Finance Committee Meeting on August 23. The Council will provide $2000 in funding, with a motion moved by Councillor John Dalywater and seconded by Deputy Mayor Judy MacFarlane.

Permanent Contracts Manager appointed

An innovative online training system is overcoming remoteness to provide staff with new professional development opportunities. The Council launched the GO1 platform on August 18, with more than 40 courses already available. Human Resources Manager Michael Cook explained that

about 250 courses would eventually be at the fingertips of staff seeking to continue their workplace learning. “Staff can enrol themselves using GO1, and managers also have the ability to assign courses to their teams,” he said. “Once staff have completed

their six-month probation period, they will be given access to the complete training catalogue , and the offerings can be used to extend general knowledge or demonstrate an interest in further training, as well as to meet identified training requirements.” Remote staff will receive training from next month.

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WORK READY: Numbulwar’s CDP workshop has been transformed through the dedication of participants.

Ceremony commitments have not stopped Community Development Program participants in Numbulwar from giving their workshop a makeover during August. Despite their obligations, the Numbulwar crew worked hard to transform the space into a “super-organised environment” that will aid future projects, including furniture construction. In addition to the workshop renovation, participants rolled up their sleeves to beautify the community by pulling down a couple of

disused water tanks. Builder Trainer Miguel Zahoran said he was proud of the work ethic the men had demonstrated during the important ceremony period. “Most of the boys were able to come in and join the program for a few hours each day before they had ceremony commitments,” he said. “A complete restructure of our workshop has taken place this month, leaving a workspace that is going to make things so much easier.”

CDP participants make over workshop

Participants are embracing the new-look workspace, which is being used for a range of projects, including furniture making.

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Upcoming Meetings of Council and Local Authorities

A Career with Roper Gulf Regional Council

Let us help you share your story Roper Gulf Regional Council would like to showcase stories and photographs from across the region. Residents, ratepayers and Council staff are invited to submit their articles and original photos for consideration. Please send your material to [email protected] or call the Communications Coordinator on 0427 674 212.

Date Time Meeting Location

14/09/2017 8.30am Ordinary Meeting of Council 2 Crawford Street, Katherine

18/09/2017 10am Borroloola Local Authority Meeting Borroloola Council office

20/09/2017 2.30pm Manyallaluk Local Authority Meeting Manyallaluk Council office

21/09/2017 3pm Barunga Local Authority Meeting Barunga Council office

26/09/2017 10.30am Numbulwar Local Authority Meeting Numbulwar Council office

ALL ORDINARY MEETINGS OF COUNCIL AND LOCAL AUTHORITY MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

27/09/2017 3pm Bulman Local Authority Meeting Bulman Council office

13/10/2017 9.30am Larrimah Community Meeting Larrimah Park

03/10/2017 5.30pm Mataranka Local Authority Meeting Mataranka Community Hall


The beauty of a career with Roper Gulf Regional Council is that there are a multitude of options available within the organisation, irrespective of your interests, skills or background. No matter what career path you want to take, the Council has a job that will allow you to succeed in your own backyard, surrounded by your friends and family. To view the latest job opportunities, visit ropergulf.nt.gov.au, or email [email protected].

Contact us Mayor Tony Jack

Mobile

0428 793 132 Email

[email protected]

Deputy Mayor Judy MacFarlane

Mobile 0427 754 668

Email [email protected]

CEO Michael Berto

Phone 08 8972 9008

Email [email protected]

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