FEBRUARY 2014HEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Girls With Purpose is an imaginative six-week health and wellbeing program to build positive body image, self-esteem and peer relationships among Hedland’s young women. Sixteen girls aged 12 years and above from Wirraka Maya’s Transition to Adulthood ‘Leap’ initiative, take part in the program, which is delivered by Joanie Doran from Wirraka Maya Health Service and by Happi Mahlangu from Youth Connections. Additional support

is also provided by a variety of community organisations in and around Hedland. Through interactive role-play, the girls learn how to face life’s daily pressures. They practise communication skills to promote positive peer relationships, focused on building resilience and ‘speaking and listening smart - straight from your heart’ techniques. Joanie said, “We teach the girls to believe that their greatest value comes from within, not from their appearance. To promote this, we launched a public education campaign to boost their self-esteem and body image.

“They had their photos taken and these were transformed into posters that will be displayed within several organisations around Hedland - with the words, ‘I’m a girl and I’m beautiful the way I am’ printed on them.”

At the end of year Celebration Day, participants were invited to attend a special event where one of the girls, Tanika Bully stated, “At first I refused to get my picture taken, then I refused to give permission to have my photo hung up in the community, but now I am proud to stand up and say ‘I’m a girl and I’m beautiful just the way I am’.”

eMpoWerinG younG WoMen

Girls with a Purpose: Some of the young women

who took part in the program. Photo by Miriam Sheridan.

HEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER WWW.HEDLINES.COM.AU

CapTurinG The pasT To BeneFiT The FuTure Through our eyes: the oral history of the Aboriginal people of Port Hedland is a major project involving Aboriginal youth to record the stories of local elders.

This significant cultural initiative is receiving partial funding from Atlas

Iron through their Community Partnerships program and support from the

Town of Port Hedland.

Agencies including Wirraka Maya Health Service and Wangka Maya Pilbara

Aboriginal Language Centre have identified some potential interviewers and

interviewees, and are training Aboriginal young people to undertake field

work. It is hoped that this unique experience will empower them with the

confidence to contribute to future projects.

Port Hedland Library staff are leading this exciting enterprise and

interviewers will head into local communities armed with a digital

tape recorder.

Library staff and volunteers will transcribe the MP3 audio files and written

and audio copies will be distributed to the interviewees. The final copies will

be retained in the Local History Collection of the Town’s libraries and lodged

with the State Library of Western Australia.

Cassia priMary sChool - siMply The BesT!It’s official! Cassia Primary was declared WA Primary School of the Year at December’s WA Education Awards.

Nominated by the Cassia Primary School Board, the application was successful,

leading to Cassia being named the winner from four finalists.

The $15,000 prize, which must be used for professional development, was

presented by Professor Christopher Brook from Edith Cowan University.

What does the award mean for Cassia? Outgoing Principal, Janine Kinninment

said, “It recognises ordinary educators doing the extraordinary. It is affirmation for

our staff and students, recognising their hard work and dedication to become a

high-performing school. It is a celebration for the Port Hedland community at large

and for rural schools that students can receive quality education in the country. It is

possible for any school to go from under-performing to high-performing, regardless

of their context.”

Winning was the icing on the cake for Janine, now Principal at Bungaree Primary

School in Rockingham, and followed another great success at the end of October

when Cassia won the Hedland Kool 2 B Kind Hip Hop competition.

Kool 2 Be Kind is a popular program involving Hedland schools through the use

of hip hop to find new heroes who demonstrate kindness and friendship in their

community. Each school supported their students to prepare a crew of “bboys and

bgirls” for a breakdance battle, which culminated in an amazing festival at the

Matt Dann Cultural Centre.

Through our eyes: Leaving a legacy for generations to come.

Janine continued, “Kool 2 B Kind is a fabulous initiative. Students understood

this competition was not just about hip hop but about developing as an

individual, to be more confident and proud to want to do the right thing.

Cassia has continued to use hip hop and our concert included a dance item

and award.”

With the 2014 school year underway, staff will soon be deciding how best to

use the $15,000 Education Department prize.

“This initial stage is focused on the Town of Port Hedland and immediate

surrounds, but we hope to extend the area,” said Mal Osborne, Town of Port

Hedland Chief Executive Officer.

“Presenting a balanced cultural and social history of any community can only be

achieved through capturing the stories of a diverse range of people. We envisage

that this project, which is due for completion by this July, will further contribute to

Port Hedland’s history.”

If you would like to be involved – as an interviewer, interviewee or helping with transcription (either now or in future) - please contact Sharon Groch, Town of Port Hedland Libraries Coordinator, by email at coordlibraries@porthedland.wa.gov.au or phone 9158 9375.

Cassia Primary School students at the

K2BK competition.

hedland’s indiGenous arTisTs on shoW To The WorldA new Indigenous Art and Culture Tour that is being introduced by Port Hedland Visitors Centre will give exposure to the region’s Aboriginal creative and cultural scene.For the time being, this tour will operate whenever cruise ships come to town or for group bookings, and there is every chance that it could be extended to other visitors and tourists.

The two-hour experience will start with a drive to South Hedland, led by an Aboriginal guide. Participants will visit the new Spinifex Hill Artist Studio, a purpose-built space where Aboriginal artists will meet daily to practise a range of art that encompasses painting, weaving and wood-carving. The tour gives a chance for travellers to speak to the artists, watch them at work and perhaps purchase original pieces as a reminder of this vast region. On their return journey to the West End activities, passengers will hear about the significance of the 1946 Aboriginal Strike, which resulted in a change in working conditions for Aboriginal Australians across the country, and also learn a little of the local Kariyarra language.

The tour will also incorporate aspects of the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre cultural awareness training. This will include local insight into the history of this culturally-significant community that can be traced back more than 40 million years.

This fabulous snapshot of Indigenous culture is sure to make for lasting memories.

Vibrant colours: Local artist, Andy Taylor, at work.

GroWinG a CulTure oF suCCessA champion for Aboriginal people, Julie Walker is a fine example of what can be achieved through focus, determination and a commitment to community.

Julie’s family couldn’t read and write and they faced many difficulties,

but they always encouraged her to do well at school. She was one of the

first Aboriginal students to go to university and she completed her degree

in social work and social science, gaining upper second class honours in

Australian Indigenous Cultural studies.

Julie is now Manager of Wangka Maya, the Aboriginal language centre in

South Hedland, where the staff run a cross-cultural awareness course.

“It helps fill the gap of what is not learned of Aboriginal culture, history

and language. The course enhances understanding through engagement

and goes beyond the stereotypes and cultural divide, aiming to serve

communities’ goals and aspirations for the benefit of everyone,” she said.

“My message to all young Aboriginals today is that they may not realise it

but they hold the key to what will happen to our people in the future. We

don’t necessarily need a diploma or any sort of pre-qualification; instead

we can follow our passion and succeed - build Aboriginality. I believe this

applies to anything you want to do.”

To find out more about what’s on offer at Wangka Maya, please visit the website - www.wangkamaya.org.au or ring 9172 2344.

Leading the Way: Julie Walker Manager

of Wangka Maya.

HEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER WWW.HEDLINES.COM.AU

on The CresT oF a WaVeThe $10.5 million upgrade of the South Hedland Aquatic Centre (SHAC) has resulted in an impressive, world-class facility, representing a big win for the Hedland community.The BHP Billiton Latitube Waverider is a crowd-pleaser and an aqua tower

with water slide for under-11 year olds and zero-depth leisure water play

feature is ideal for young families.

The refurbishments also mean that the 50-metre main pool can stay at

a comfortable 28°C while the learner’s/children’s pool can maintain a

temperature of 32°C during cooler months.

New programs include aqua step aerobics and aqua combat - which

consists of wearing lightly-weighted foam belts around the wrists and

ankles while punching and kicking through water - help people tone-up,

and there are also classes for learning to swim or improving technique.

Town of Port Hedland Chief Executive Officer, Mal Osborne said,

“This fantastic redevelopment is a partnership between the Town of Port

Hedland, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, State Government’s Royalties for Regions

program, Department of Sport and Recreation and Federal Government’s

Regional Local Government Infrastructure Program. SHAC has something

for everyone – youngsters can learn to swim, play in the aqua tower,

catch a wave on the Waverider or get fit swimming laps. It is truly a

city-calibre facility, located right here in the Pilbara.

Splish Splash : Shaidy Duke and

Ari Mokta, Elle and Sarah Amiradaki.

a deCade oF deVoTion To TurTles Care for Hedland’s famous turtle monitoring program has been active since 2004 and officially runs from 30 October to 28 February. Nesting in this current season started about three weeks earlier than usual and although it does not end for another fortnight, the season looks like being a record-breaker. By mid-December, 1000 volunteer hours had already been logged and on one night alone there were seven hatched nests!During a 42-night period, the phrase ‘tag team’ took on new meaning and the taggers were kept on their toes with 184 turtles on Cemetery Beach. Care for Hedland Coordinator, Pip Short, enthused, “At least two volunteers helped out for four hours each night, a really phenomenal effort! “We have also conducted 12 night tours, taking locals, tourists and even Olympic swimmers to see the magical process of the female Flatback laying her eggs, as well as teaching the correct ways to interact with these animals so they are not disturbed,” Pip explained.

Other high points have been a film crew in Hedland capturing the season’s different stages for a documentary funded through Care for Hedland’s

partnership with BHP Billiton Iron Ore, which highlights the significance of the Flatback turtle and the community’s tremendous work to ensure the turtles’ survival. The monitoring program has gone from strength to strength over the past 10 years, with no less than 90 new volunteers at the annual training weekend this year. Please contact Pip Short, Care for Hedland Coordinator, by emailing coordinator@careforhedland.org.au or phone 0488 907 260 if you would like to get involved.

Cemetery Beach in the afternoon: Visitors to Hedland

are amazed by these extraordinary creatures.

“The community response has been fantastic, with around 450 patrons a

day using SHAC. It is a hive of activity, especially during weekends and school

holidays, and we have introduced a $1 admission for youngsters under-16 years

until the end of June, which makes it very affordable.”

In other good news, the Hedland Water Polo Association has resumed training

at SHAC on Tuesdays and Sundays, and is looking forward to their season.

If you would like to join them, please email Association Secretary, Sarah Pell,

at hwpasecretary@hotmail.com

SHAC is open seven days a week and is also available for hire for birthday parties and similar events. To find out more, please email shac@ymca.org.au or phone 9172 4666.

WWW.HEDLINES.COM.AUHEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Where do you read hedlines?Presley Grace and her classmates are back at Hedland Senior High School for the new school year! She is looking forward to Year 11 and the privileges that come with the next stage of schooling. With stages in mind, Presley’s favourite subject is drama, and she is happy that the course has been expanded this year. She is also excited about attending the School Ball and trips available only to students in Years 11 & 12.

Asked who has been her favourite character that she has played in a high school production, Presley said it was one of the ‘Tweedle Twins’ in Alice in Wonderland.

No doubt Presley’s love of school and learning will take her places in the future, but Hedland Senior High will be her wonderland for 2014. Her longer-term ambition is to study Arts at university.

GiVinG BaCK To The CoMMuniTyThe BHP Billiton Matched Giving program provides a boost to selected charities and community groups. Peter Phipps is one BHP Billiton Iron Ore staff member who embraces what the program has to offer. He has a demanding job, but away from the workplace, he is also generous with his time in supporting his community.

As one of five Crew Development Officers (Technical, Mechanical & Electrical), Peter supports maintenance supervisors, providing technical training for their teams. This means he could be working anywhere in the Port, assisting in the design and construction of such courses, delivering deep skill training to tradesmen, theory sessions to engineers, basic trade skills to apprentices and trainees, or site familiarisation to newcomers.

A Hedland resident since 2007, Peter said, “I really enjoy the variety of my job and I appreciate that I am in a place that puts a high value on safety.”

Peter joined Care for Hedland at the outset and devotes a lot of his time to turtle monitoring. He joins scientific teams to restrain the turtles, which can weigh 100 kilograms, while they are measured, checked for injury or fitted with tags and microchips. Peter is also involved with at least five other organisations, proving the old adage – ‘if you want a job doing, ask a busy person’.

Presley Grace eager to read about what’s

ahead in 2014.

BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Peter Phipps volunteers for six different community organisations in his

spare time!

For more information, or to find out which types of volunteering

activity or which organisations are eligible, please contact

porthedlandcommunity@bhpbilliton.com

BHP Billiton emPloyee matcHed GivinG ProGram

When BHP Billiton employees volunteer

or donate to eligible charities or

community groups, they can apply to

have their contributions matched

through the Matched Giving program.

Volunteering hours can be matched

at $20 per hour – if an employee

volunteers four hours for Care for

Hedland, they can apply for a matching

contribution of $80 to Care for Hedland.

Donations can be matched at 2:1 –

if an employee donates $40 to the

Red Cross, they can apply for

BHP Billiton to make a matching

contribution of $80 to the Red Cross.

(From 1 January 2014, fundraising is

no longer eligible for Matched Giving).

upCoMinG eVenTsThis community newsletter is proudly supported by BHP Billiton Iron Ore. Designed by Creating Communities Aust Pty Ltd.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

hedlines.com.au

SCAn USInG YOUR mOBILE DEvICE TO GO DIRECTLY TO

Full sTeaM ahead To MarBle BarIt may not be widely-known but the Pilbara used to be associated with tin mining and, in a time long before three kilometre-long iron ore trains, there used to be a mixed passenger and goods train on a railway line between Port Hedland and Marble Bar.Arnold Carter from Hedland’s Historical Society enthusiastically provided information on the railway, remnants of which can be found in Port Hedland. He also gives talks to pre-schoolers, sharing a simplified understanding of this history.

During the late 1800s, there were many mines between Port Hedland and Marble Bar that delivered approximately 75% of WA’s tin production. With this boom, the Government proposed a railway line to cover the 200-kilometre distance in 1907. The Port Hedland-Marble Bar Railway, commonly known as the Spinifex Express, took four years to build and was described in the press as “the ultimate triumph of the people’s aspirations of 20 years”.

The last train departed Marble Bar on 27 October 1951. However, there was still a service carting water to Hedland until 1953, when the Turner River to Port Hedland pipeline was constructed.

Reliving history: Arnold Carter shows images

of the old railway line.

Cruise Ship Visits Late February and March will see three passenger vessels bringing tourists to Port Hedland:Monday 24 February – Celebrity Solstice Thursday 6 March – Radiance of the Seas Sunday 30 March – Voyager of the Seas Enjoy the atmosphere and events around town that these special visits bring.

Opening of New Spinifex Hill Artists Studio

The evening of Friday 7 March

The Spinifex Hill Artists began in 2008 when FORM started a

mentorship program in South Hedland to offer local Aboriginal

people the opportunity for social interaction and professional

development through creativity. With a focus on painting,

Spinifex Hill Artists provides beginner, emerging and established

artists with access to materials, creative and professional training

and arts education to bolster their knowledge and empower

their practice.

For more information, please contact the Studio Manager at

greg@form.net.au

BHP Billiton Iron Ore Community Grants Funding round closes 1 MarchBHP Billiton Iron Ore invites you to apply for funding through its valuable Community Grants Program. Applications must be submitted using the standard PDF form before 5pm on 1 March.Please phone Lisa Lock on 9173 6680 or email porthedlandcommunity@bhpbilliton.com for more details.

Caught on the Wind: Landscape Paintings By Leonie Cannon & Sharon Jack

At the Courthouse Gallery, 16 Edgar Street, Port Hedland

Until 17 March - FREE

Monday-Friday: 9.00 to 4.30pm Saturday & Sunday: 9.00 to 2.00pm.

A multi-faceted exhibition that explores the separate journeys of

two dynamic Western Australian artists. As they individually travelled

through the vast WA landscape, both ultimately realised they had

been “caught on the wind”.

Sharon and Leonie’s art portrays a detailed and often whimsical

exploration of rock forms, local textures and the striking colours of

the Australian landscape.