WANGKABeneficiaries Newsletter

Edition 7 | July 2013

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Inside this edition…

CEO’s Comment

Pinnacles Project starts in Hedland

Work for us: Positions vacant

The Ripples Effect: Creating beautiful houses in our communities

New Office in Tom Price

Men’s health matters - let’s talk about it

Greater involvement of the Representative Corporations in IBN’s governance is a key priority for the Board.

The Directors of the Corporations have been studying the Australian Institute of Company Directors Governance Course over the past six months to give them the skills they need to achieve this. The Corporations’ Boards and the IBN Board have also met to discuss how we can move forward together. The joint meetings have been very successful and some of the outcomes you will see over the coming months include; policy changes, new managers for the Representative Corporations; and greater cooperation between IBN and the Corporations in planning and policy development.

As you should know by now, the IBN Board resolved to make a distribution from the Financial Assistance Foundation Trust. I believe this is a positive reflection of our strengthening relationship with BHP Billiton. However, progress with Authorisation remains slow. Authorisation is a complicated matter, with a great deal at stake. We are still on track to make a full Christmas Payment at the end of the year.

Please be aware that if you are receiving a Centrelink allowance or pension this payment will affect your Centrelink entitlements. I recommend that you save at least half of your payments to

top up your Centrelink over the next twelve months. This is a bigger issue for people on allowances, than those on pensions. If you need help with this, please contact one of our Field Officers.

Finally, I am happy to say we now have 20 Aboriginal staff at IBN, which is more than a third of our workforce. This is good progress toward our target of 51 per cent Aboriginal employees at IBN.

Grant Bussell Chief Executive Officer

South Hedland is now home to one of the largest analemmatic sundials in WA thanks to a team of local artist including Rozy Dann-Dunstan (pictured centre right). The sundial was created using 1500 handmade tiles mixed with sand from the Port Hedland region. Using dot points painted on the tiles, a person standing on the sundial will cast a shadow to tell the time.

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As you know, education is really important. The IBN Board has created a new Community Program to support people to get qualifications beyond high school.

The Higher Education program can help with the costs of studying at TAFE, including apprenticeships and traineeships, or going to university.

Eligible expenses include:

• Tuition for one qualification per semester including a $400 tool allowance

• Enrolment fees and other fees not covered by HECS

• Boarding and rental costs if you can’t study in your home town

• Travel costs

• Other essential educational supplies, including books and a laptop computer

To encourage people to bring their new skills home to the Pilbara, the IBN Board may make a grant of up to $20,000 toward payment of HECS fees after you graduate if you work in the Pilbara for 3 years.

For more information contact Anna on 9140 0928, or email aedwards@ibngroup.com.au

NEW COMMuNITy PROgRaM:

Higher Education

What’s on?FREE Workshops in July - august

26 July Men’s Morning Tea

6 August Women’s Morning Tea

8 August Elder’s Meeting

All meetings are 9:00am till 2:00pm at Lotteries House in South Hedland.

Do you need help preparing your Will, managing your electricity bills or making a budget?

22 August, 9:00am – 1.00pm Lotteries House, South Hedland

Transport can be provided. FREECALL 1800 014 401 and ask to speak to Caroline or Michelle or email admin@ibngroup.com.au if you are interested.

DavID WIll MOvE INTO HIs NEW HOME IN sOuTH HEDlaND IN THE COMINg MONTHs as PaRT OF IBN’s HOusINg PROgRaM.

Providing housing for those in need is a key strategic goal for IBN. Other ongoing housing projects in South Hedland include 5 lots in the Elements residential development; retirement housing on Limpet Crescent and up to 3 houses on Mauger Place. The allocation process for the new homes will be based on meeting hardship criteria and will be finalised soon. Construction timelines for the new homes vary and we will keep you updated as things progress. In the meantime for more information about any of our housing projects contact Ian Williamson, Beneficiaries Services Manager on 1800 014 401.

NEW HOME FOR

David Stock, Nyiyaparli Elder

David’s new home under construction in South Hedland

IBN Wangka Beneficiaries Newsletter July 2013 | 3

Caring for our petsa NEW MOBIlE vET ClINIC Is avaIlaBlE TO vIsIT WakaTHuNI, BEllaRy, PORT HEDlaND aND suRROuNDINg aREas.

a FEW TIPs FROM THE COMMuNITy PROgRaMs TEaM…

How can you get your application approved as quickly as possible?

Need to travel for a funeral or other unexpected reasons? Put in your application at least 5 DAYS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. This will give IBN enough time to process your application.

Does IBN have your current phone number, postal address and bank details? IBN needs current bank account and personal details to make sure we can transfer funds to the correct bank account, contact you on the phone and post you important information. If your details change you need to complete an ‘Update Personal Details’ form. Forms can be collected from our offices, or call 1800 014 401 and we will send you one.

How many Crisis and Hardship applications we have processed recently?

March 626

April 616

May 589

What do we mean when we ask you ‘Why are you are in crisis or hardship?’

We ask you this because IBN has too meet certain rules to be able to help you. We have to prove that we are managing the Trust’s money properly.

IBN can’t help if you have just spent too much money. We can help with ‘unexpected’ or ‘emergency’ circumstances or if you are in genuine financial hardship. For example, if all your money has been spent on bills attach copies of your bills to your application to prove this. Or if you need to travel to a doctor’s appointment, attach a copy of your appointment card.

For most of our Community Programs, this section MUST be filled out before we can help.

Not sure what IBN can help you with?

Phone 1800 014 401 to discuss your individual situation.

The mobile clinic has sterilised seven dogs for IBN people and will return to the communities whenever there are enough dogs needing to be fixed. Does your dog or cat need to be sterilised? IBN will cover the cost of the sterilisation. To find out more about the mobile vet clinic contact Cecilia at Tom Price on 0427 417 729 or 1800 014 401.

Congratulations to Cecilia (pictured left) and everyone who helped out with the Dogs Program, as part of IBN’s Aboriginal Environmental Health (AEH) project. IBN is working with animal rescue organisation SAFE in Tom Price to help keep our pets healthy, with medicated dog washing days and spraying for ticks.

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Pinnacles Project starts in Hedland

The new Team Leader, Evelyn Kroczek, stared on July 1. Many of you will know Evelyn from Pundulmurra where she taught horticulture, first aid, cultural awareness and land care.

Evelyn is a Nyiyaparli member and has been a Director of IBN since 2012. Evelyn has extensive experience in training and running work-ready programs. She is looking forward working with our Traditional Owners to build a business that will be of huge benefit to the IBN Community.

“As a Traditional Owner myself I am keen to share my skills to help our people prepare for the workforce,” she said.

“The Pinnacles Project will provide hands on, practical training and support to get people ready to work in lots of different jobs such as horticulture and landscaping.

“They will also learn about PPE and other common workplace practices such as managing their time to make sure they are ready for the workforce.”

Recruitment for the Pinnacles Project will start in August in a range of jobs including administration, yard and gardening work, looking after nursery plants and growing vegetables.

If you are interested contact Caroline Lee on 1800 014 401 or email clee@ibngroup.com.au

The Tom Price work crew will start a new pilot project the ‘Ripples Effect’ in August to completely refurbish an abandoned house in Wakathuni.

With $175,000 in funding from IBN, Cecilia Fernandez, Communities Project Manager, has partnered with the local TAFE to train and certify community members in building construction. The house will provide a ‘hands on’ opportunity to test their new skills.

15 IBN people have enrolled with the TAFE and if they successfully complete the course they will receive a Certificate II in Building and Construction. The house is due for completion by October.

If successful, the Ripples Effect project will be rolled out to refurbish 25 houses in Wakathuni and Bellary. To get involved contact Cecilia on 0427 417 729.

The Ripples effecT: cReaTing beauTiful houses in ouR communiTies

The first house in Wakathuni to get the ‘Ripples Effect’ treatment…stay tuned for the ‘After’ pictures…

THE PINNaClEs PROJECT Is PaRT OF OuR WORk REaDy sTRaTEgy TO PROvIDE TRaININg aND JOB OPPORTuNITIEs FOR IBN PEOPlE IN PORT HEDlaND.

Team Leader for the new Pinnacles Project, Evelyn Kroczek.

IBN Wangka Beneficiaries Newsletter July 2013 | 5

MEN’s HEalTH Is aN IssuE OFTEN NOT sPOkEN aBOuT. DavID FERNaNDEz, ONE OF OuR TOM PRICE FIElD OFFICERs, Is ENCOuRagINg lOCal MEN TO lEaRN aBOuT IMPROvINg THEIR MENTal aND PHysICal HEalTH.

David launched the first Tom Price Men’s Health Week in June, with a stall in the centre of town. The stall was manned by health experts, who were on hand to give local men tips about improving their health.

“In small towns often everything is concentrated on women and children’s health, and there is nothing for us blokes,” said David.

“We have to be aware of our health and we have to do whatever we can to keep healthy and that includes mental and physical health.”

Plenty of men stopped by the stall to yarn with health experts including a community nurse, diabetes educator and a mental health worker. They learnt new ways of improving their general health and wellbeing with diet, exercise and talking with other men about their problems.

Health experts and IBN staff get ready for Men’s Health Week in Tom Price.

Men’s health matters leT’s Talk abouT iT:

Have you noticed the red building on Central Road in Tom Price near Coles? It’s IBN’s new Tom Price office! IBN staff recently moved from their cramped quarters into the larger building. The new office has meeting and training space that can be used by the IBN Community. The building has been painted red to represent ‘red earth’ and will soon feature several large boomerangs on the outside walls, just like the IBN logo…It’s your office too, so come and visit.

WOulD yOu lIkE TO Talk WITH OTHER aBORIgINal

MEN aBOuT all THE BIg IssuEs, lIkE lEaDERsHIP,

MENTal aND sExual HEalTH, FaMIly PROBlEMs

OR RElaTIONsHIPs?

Every month the Mulba Gnarli Men’s Group meets in Wakathuni.

Contact David at the Tom Price office on 9189 3706 if you are interested.

NEW OFFICE IN

Tom Price

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NaNa TadGee LImeRICk aNd heR BeauTIfuL GRaNdChILd BeNjee shaRe a speCIaL momeNT oN moTheR’s day aT WakaThuNI

TIdy ToWNCongratulations to Bellary and Wakathuni, both communities are entrants in the 2013 Tidy Town Sustainable Communities category. Judges visited the communities during July and thanks to the hard work of community members and the IBN work crew, both communities are strong contenders for the top spot. Each year Tidy Towns acknowledges regional communities across Australia who encourage sustainable behaviour and a litter-free environment. The winners will be announced during August – October.

In Brief

NaIdoC Week CeLeBRaTIoNs 7-14 juLyIBN proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week with Bloodwood Tree Association at the opening event held at Pundulmurra College in South Hedland. David Stock, Nyiyaparli Elder, demonstrated a boomerang carving.

CheRIdaN LoCkyeaR aNd kyLe eaToN LookING haNdsome aT TheIR yeaR 11 foRmaL The boys attend Carmel Adventist College thanks to the High School Scholarships Community Program.

do you Need LeGaL advICe oR fINaNCIaL CouNseLLING?

Pilbara Community Legal Service will be at the Tom Price office each month to give FREE help with finances to IBN people. Contact David at the Tom Price office on 9189 3706 or email dfernandez@ibngroup.com.au for more information.

IBN Wangka Beneficiaries Newsletter July 2013 | 7

dId you mIss ouT oN The fINaNCIaL assIsTaNCe TRusT paymeNT? In June the IBN Board approved a payment of $5,000 per Beneficiary from the Financial Assistance Trust. The close off date for the first round of payments was Thursday 28 June. If you are a registered Traditional Owner and missed out on this payment because you hadn’t updated your bank account details, please contact Christine on 1800 014 401 to find out what you need to do.

do you have ouTsTaNdING fINes?As part of our Work Ready project, we will match any payment towards outstanding fines that you make from your Financial Assistance Trust payment. If you would like to pay off fines using this money please send IBN a copy of the receipt and complete an Employment Community Program application form.

GoT a Good yaRN foR IBN WaNGka? email swilson@ibngroup.com.au or fReeCaLL 1800 014 401

IBN To fuNd The pILBaRa’s oNLy NuRse pRaCTITIoNeR IBN has approved funding for the Pilbara’s only Nurse Practitioner to provide health and medical services exclusively to the IBN community. Unlike other nurses, Nurse Practitioners can prescribe medication, make referrals and order tests. Based in Karratha, the Nurse Practitioner will make regular visits to IBN people in Roebourne, Karratha, Pannawonica, and Onslow and surrounding areas. We expect to have someone in the position by September. They will also make house-calls, and we hope you will get to know and trust them to help you stay healthy.

yINhaWaNGka eLdeR juNe INGIe ReCeNTLy LauNChed heR pICToRIaL ChILdReN’s Book WRITTeN IN yINhaWaNGka aNd eNGLIshHeld in Bellary Springs, the launch was a very happy and proud day for June and the community. Titled ‘Gurri watharrigu magaragu’ meaning ‘The girl is looking for her little brother’ the book was created with help from Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre. All Yinhawangka, Banyjima and Nyiyaparli books are available from IBN for free.

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Contact IBNPort Hedland Office: 3 Brand Street South Hedland WA 6277 P: 9140 0900 F: 9172 1136 FREECALL 1800 014 401 E: admin@ibngroup.com.au

Tom Price Office: Shop 1, 973 Central Road Tom Price, WA 6751. P: 9189 3706 F: 9189 3717 E: admin@ibngroup.com.au

IBN would like to employ as many people from the IBN Community as possible. Come and work for us! We offer plenty of training and support. Some positions can also be offered part time, to discuss this please contact our HR department, details below.

Current jobs:

• Senior Administration Officer, South Hedland. Applications close July 30, 2013

To find out more FREECALL 1800 014 401 and ask to speak to Jessie Hudson, HR Officer, or email hr@ibngroup.com.au for a job description and application package.

New jobs are always coming up so if you are looking for work send Jessie your CV and she will contact you when the right job comes up.

Work for us

Congratulations Trevor Dhu

Trevor attends La Salle College in Perth as part of our High School Scholarships Community Program. He travelled to Canberra to meet with students from across Australia and high profile people including former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Ken Wyatt, MP, the first Indigenous person elected to the House of Representatives, and Joel Johnson from the Canberra Raiders.

CoNGRaTuLaTIoNs To TRevoR dhu Who Was seLeCTed To vIsIT CaNBeRRa To Take paRT IN a summIT oRGaNIsed By The ausTRaLIaN INsTITuTe of spoRT (aIs) To dIsCuss The ChaLLeNGes faCING youNG INdIGeNous peopLe.