Kuruma Marthudunera Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Unit 5/9 Hedland Place, Karratha WA 6714

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T (08) 9185 5005 F (08) 9185 6006

BUSY MONTH FOR KMAC & KML ENDS WITH HSC MEETING AT JAJIWURA

APRIL 2017

The HSC returned to country for their meeting in mid-April.

Kuruma Marthudunera Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Unit 5/9 Hedland Place, Karratha WA 6714

1

T (08) 9185 5005 F (08) 9185 6006

Welcome to the April Edition of KMAC News. With consecutive meetings this month, our committees have been busy working on exciting projects for the KM people. A joint board meeting was held on the 31st March, consisting of both the KML board & the KMAC board. Both boards were introduced to new KMAC management and staff. Together, the KMAC and KML boards reviewed what has been a period of significant change for the group. Since the last joint board meeting, KMAC has been registered as PBC and the PART A native title determination decision was handed down. Furthermore, KML had the task of recruiting a new independent director as Thea Mendelsohn’s term had come to an end. KML board selected Karen Jacobs to join their team as she was well fit for the role and saw that she would make a positive contribution to the KML board. The KMAC board meeting was held on the 3rd April and was our third meeting for 2017. The board were finalizing the strategic framework which will be presented to the KM members at the upcoming community meeting. We value the input of our community members and would like your thoughts and contributions before finalizing the document. The KMAC board discussed and implemented several policies that will support and assist with the corporate governance and operations of the office. - CEO Amanda Wheeler BOARD BITES – SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT STORIES FROM KMAC Lilly Edwards has recently graduated Curtin University after completing the traineeship she originally started with KML and completed at KMAC. She obtained a Bachelor degree in Applied Science – Indigenous Community Management & Development. Lilly has been successful in her application for the role of Member Services Project Officer. In a competitive field Lilly was a stand-out candidate during interviews. She answered complex questions with poise and insight. As the preferred candidate was a Related Party, as per our RPB Policy, the recruitment process was scrutinized by the Related Party Benefits Committee to ensure it was transparent, contested and that the selection was based on merit.

Dana Keong has been appointed to the positon Admin Officer. The position covers many of the responsibilities vacated by Vasa and reports through to Aoife as General Manager Operations. Dana was an outstanding candidate – she has comprehensive experience as an Executive Assistant, Senior Administrator and brings with her skills as a bookkeeper. Dana has recently moved to Karratha with her husband and young daughter for a more family-friendly lifestyle as her husband previously operated on a FIFO arrangement to Karratha for over two years.

(Left to right) Natasha Evans, Kristie Willock, Karen Jacobs, Sara Slattery, Peter Iancov, Howard Lockyer, Naomi Bobby, Patrick Jacobs, Deanna McGowan

Congratulations Lilly Edwards!

Welcome Dana Keong!

Kuruma Marthudunera Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Unit 5/9 Hedland Place, Karratha WA 6714

1

T (08) 9185 5005 F (08) 9185 6006

PERSONAL GOODBYE FROM VASA

It has been an honour to work for you and alongside the many families. I look forward to the news of hearing you have won your Determination Part B . I am so very grateful for the professional experience that I have gained while working with KML/KMAC and would like to thank the Directors for trusting me in these roles.

RIO TINTO – INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT & SUPPORT PROGRAMME Rio Tinto’s Indigenous Participation Programme enables employment opportunities for Pilbara Aboriginal people through a structured pre-employment pathway. It builds potential employees’ capacity, skills and industry experience, with an opportunity to transition into full-time employment, based on safety, performance and job availability. RIO representative Carol-Anne comes into the KMAC office once a month to have a yarn one on one with KM members that have expressed interest. We currently have 16 KM members registered within the program and we hope that they successfully secure full-time employment. Carol-Anne’s next visit to the KMAC office will be Friday 21st April. Please arrange a time to come in for a yarn if you want to apply.

Dana Keong

ong

LIC & RIC MEETINGS HELD In March the Local Implementation Committee (LIC) and Regional Implementation Committee (LIC) meetings were held. These are vital opportunities for KM to keep RTIO honest in their obligations under the agreement. KM members spoke strongly at both meetings.

Meeting with Murujuga: On Monday April 10 the HSC and KMAC staff met with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to learn about Caring for Country initiatives. This was a good meeting with lots of good ideas discussed. Thanks Murujuga for hosting us!

Kuruma Marthudunera Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Unit 5/9 Hedland Place, Karratha WA 6714

1

T (08) 9185 5005 F (08) 9185 6006

UPCOMING DATES

KMAC CLOSED FOR EASTER

NAIDOC Week Celebrations:

10th July, Pannawonica

14-17 April

KMAC Staff Development Day – 20th

April – Office Closed

KMAC Field Day: 21st April – Cattrall

Park, Karratha

Part B Trial Dates: 24th April – 28th

April – Pannawonica

Next Board Meeting: KMAC 4th May

Community Meeting: Friday May 5,

2017.

KMAC CULTURAL HERITAGE TRAINING

Josie and Naomi have just become accredited to provide KM Cultural Awareness Training (CAT) having completed the train the trainer program with Bernie Ryder last month. They have presented to Rio Tinto and Sodexo employees out at the Mesa J and Mesa A mine sites. Feedback surveys indicated that the people really appreciate learning about the Kuruma and Marthudunera story. Both Naomi and Josie expressed their enjoyment of presenting and sharing their knowledge and stories with the participants. We hope to train more people to be CAT presenters during the year and to expand presentations to members of the Pannawonica community – we want them to know and respect the Traditional Owners of the land on which they live.

KMAC SUPPORT FOR PART B TRIAL As you know Kuruma PART B covers the western part of the Robe River and which holds enormous cultural significance to our people. The PART B trial is a very important part in our history and we encourage all members to attend where possible. A strong KM presence will show unity and participation in this defining moment. The Trial begins on the 24th April – 28th April in Pannawonica and each day consists of members giving evidence to the legal team. There will be financial support through the lore & culture fund (limited food and fuel support will be provided to families driving to Pannawonica – members will need to sign a guarantee of attendance before departure and attendance will be monitored at the trial). If you also need transport please call the office to book a seat on the bus, first in best dressed.

Monday 24th April 12:15pm travel to Parlupuuni, (Pannawonica Hill), lunch and court reconvenes at 1:30pm Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th, Thursday 27th All commencing at 9:15am at Parlupuuni Friday 28th April Travel to Roebourne, evidence by elder & hearing will conclude at approximately 3:00pm.

KMAC OFFERS INTERNSHIP FOR RECEPTIONIST In coming months KMAC will be offering a six month internship for a KM person who would like to improve their long term employment prospects by developing sound admin skills. The successful candidate will fulfil the role of receptionist and will be responsible for providing a warm and helpful welcome to members in person and on the phone. KMAC will provide in-house training and, where relevant, will support the trainee undertake external training. Further information on the position will be provided at the upcoming Community Meeting.

KMAC CARING FOR COUNTRY WORK TEAM KMAC are also recruiting for a caring for country work team – with a number of applicants soon to begin their Rio Tinto site inductions. The work will be casual and involve weed spraying on country. If you’d like to be considered for this and other work opportunities please call the office and speak to Lilly.

Naomi Bobby & Josie Alec

Neil Finlay and Cyril Lockyer at the Local Implementation Committee Meeting (LIC). The LIC meeting is a critical opportunity for KM to hold RTIO to account under the agreement. In the last month KM also contributed to the Regional Implementation Committee (RIC) where employment and contracting were hot topics.