Here is a special deal from our friends at Etiko – Buy one pair of their sneakers and they’ll donate a pair to one of our school kids!

For more information, visit their Facebook page.

or click here!

But be quick, the offer expires 31st May 2012.

Messiah receiving his prize from Nicola at Yuendumu school assembly

Congratulations to Yuendumu Youth Program participants, Messiah Brown and Jerome Jurrah for their song entry ‘Keep your body clean’, in the National Cannabis Prevention and Information centre (NCPIC) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Competition.

The entry was chosen as Runner up out of 30 national entrants, which gave Indigenous people the opportunity to showcase their creative talent and express their ideas about cannabis and its harmful impact on their communities.

The song was made in partnership with WYDAC and InCite Youth Arts.

We are so proud of Messiah and Jerome for creating a song with such a positive message.

Click the link below to listen to the song!

Keep Your Body Clean

Nine Jaru workers participated in the training, then coached an Auskick clinic for the school aged kids. Much fun for all and the Jaru participants can now be employed to run Auskick clinics.

Thanks to Josh and Reggie of for running such informative sessions and Greg Mathews, Regional Co-ordinator and Dave Brabham, State Manager of Active After-School Communities for their continued support of our program and community.

The Jinta Sport brand has been created to not only offer consumers high quality, well priced sports gear but also to help create a positive change in the world.

Jinta sport is an accredited fair trade sports brand, the purchase of Jinta Sports products is guaranteed to be child labour free and ensures workers involved in the production are treated with dignity and decent living wages.

The purchase of products from the Jinta range helps fund sports programs managed by the Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation on a number of remote communities in Northern Australia.

The brand name Jinta is a Warlpiri (Australian Aboriginal tribe based in the Northern Territory) word which means ‘one’ and is generally used to mean ‘winner’. The word is also used in the Warlpiri phrase ‘Jinta-ku-marrarni’, which means coming together, such as playing a game. The name suits because the Warlpiri community use sports to bring the kids together in meaningful activity.

Jinta Sport’s fairtrade premiums are used to benefit the communities that we are working with. In Pakistan where our sports balls are made and in India where our sportswear is made, the priority for our workers is to fund educational programs for their children.

Visit the Jinta Sport website

Follow Jinta Sport on Facebook

Follow @JintaSport on Twitter

Visit the Etiko Fair Trade website

Hope to see you there!

* This is the unsigned digital version

The girls travelled from Yuendumu to Alice Springs, which included 3 days of music mentoring workshops and a performance as part of the iNTune Music Conference.  This project is a showcase of emerging contemporary Indigenous female musicians from remote communities and Alice Springs.

Catherine Satour, Jacinta Price and Izzy Brown were the music mentors for the project. The workshops were held at CAAMA studios, with the women working on their own music, as well as collaborating on a group song. The performance was amazing, with Courtney and Marla singing loud and proud on stage to a big crowd.

Courtney was also invited to perform the following night at a local benefit gig, Radioactive Rap with MC Izzy and Oli MC.

InCite Youth Arts and the Mt Theo Program are proud to announce the release of Red Sand Culture (Volume 1) - a compilation CD showcasing the powerful voice of Warlpiri youth from the desert of Central Australia.

To listen to the CD and for more information, visit the website www.redsandculture.com

Made by Micha Bartlett, Lance Turner, Shannon Gallagher and Daniel Marshall (with Anna Cadden – WETT Media Trainer).

© 2011 Nyirrpi Youth Program, WYDAC.

by Aaron Patrick Jakamarra Bradshaw

Aaron Jakamarra Bradshaw with his son (L) Aaron Junior Jupurrurla Bradshaw and his daughter (R) Rosie Napurrurla Bradshaw. Image by Jason Japaljarri Woods, PAW Media.

I wanna tell you a bit of story about myself, how I learnt how to be a father. As I was growing up, my stepdad was looking after me. He raised me since I was a little boy. I learned better for how to be a father because he was like a real dad to me. He took me to places, took me hunting, swimming, and camping and he taught me how to respect people. My uncle used to do the same. Because he was looking after me straight after my mum and stepdad broke up. He had five kids too. I was looking up to him too, he showed me how to be a great dad.

Now I’ve got two kids of my own, Rosie and Aaron Junior. Rosie’s my big daughter, she’s 5 years old and my son, Junior, he’s two years old. When Rosie was born, I thought that it was gonna be hard for me to raise a child, but then I got used to it, raising a child. But really I learnt from my uncle, Patrick, and my stepdad, Lloyd.

Before my stepdad got married with my mother, he wasn’t a good man. Not until he found my mother and he started to raise me and my little brother Jacob, then he was a great dad to us. Then my other little brother Lloyd Junior was born. My stepdad was with my mum till Lloyd Junior was 11. Then they broke up, about seven years back, but I still call him dad, because he raised me up since I was a child. He used to tell me to go to school every day, even if I wanted to walk around. He didn’t like that, he always gave me a hiding and told me to go back home and sleep for school. Sometimes I used to sneak away and stay out late. But he still used to wake me up in the morning, make me have a shower and go to school!

My stepdad’s met my two kids, he’s proud of them two and my brother’s little son too. I help my brother with his son too, always buy toys and presents when I go and visit them.

Now I’m an uncle too– I’m the oldest out of my grandmother and her brother and sisters. I’ve got one nephew, and I might have work to do for him, I’ve gotta learn a bit for him, see? Zedric’s little baby son is my little nephew – I’ll maybe be like my stepdad and uncle for him, you know? If he wants something from me, I’ve gotta give it to him because he’s my nephew. And maybe when I get older he’ll look after me. He needs to be showing respect for family and elders. Zedric will be teaching him these things.

I hope when Rosie and Junior grow up that they go to school every day and learn about their education. I hope they can get a job, get a house and a car. I want them to know their Dreaming. I want Rosie to be a good sportswoman – she loves basketball and softball. Sometimes she tries to play football! And Junior plays football and basketball too, he likes the same sports as me.

Yeah I always learnt from my uncle and stepdad, about raising kids.

by Michael “MG” Japaljarri Wayne

Michael “MG” Japaljarri Wayne with his son Johnny “Jujayi” Jungarrayi Wayne.

My name is Michael Japaljarri Wayne, and most people call me MG. This is a story about me and my son – most people call him Jujayi, because his skin name is Jungarrayi. He’s four.

I lost my father, and I gave his English name for my son. They are both Jungarrayi, and I wanted to give him the same name. Thinking a lot about my father, I wanted to get my father’s name and give it to my baby. I think it’s a good way to remember my father. People might know that I’m remembering my father.

I always ask Jujayi, ‘What you gonna be when you grow up?’ and he always says, ‘I’m gonna be a doctor!’ Sometimes he says police. When he says these things I feel alright, really happy. I want him to be a doctor or policeman.

First, I wanted to be a doctor, when I was a little kid like Jujayi. When I was a little boy I was thinking, ‘When I grow up I want to get a job’. The reason I wanted to be a doctor was to be helping people, especially older people. Doing a job that helps people is really strong in my family. I think my father taught me about helping people. He used to have a job working in the clinic with a doctor, as a health worker. He was helping people through his job in the clinic.

This way of helping people is something strong in our family. It’s something that my father taught me and something I think is important for Jujayi. I want him to be helping people in his future. He’s got that strong idea too, that his life is going to be about helping people. We taught him that by always asking him about it and talking to him about it.

Just a few days ago, Jujayi was at childcare and he found a snake there. He saved another little girl from being bitten by the snake, getting her out of the way. I have done these kinds of things too – I have worked with young people to help stop them from sniffing petrol or committing suicide. Oh, I feel really ngurrju (good) when Jujayi’s doing things like that, copying his dad – really proud.

Sometimes me and Jujayi’s mother say, ‘When you grow up are you gonna be breaking in? Are you gonna be a smoker or a drinker?’ He always says no. We want him to stay away from those things.

Jujayi never met my father and sometimes that makes me feel sad. Jujayi’s only four years old but already he’s saying he wants to be a doctor; maybe Jujayi never met his wardinyi (father’s father), but he has the same idea as his wardinyi! He wants to help people and be a doctor.

Uncles are important for Jujayi too. They always look after him and talk to him, take him for a walk. They follow him around and he makes them talk, teasing them and making them wild. They really love each other and those uncles look after him, since Jujayi was born.

Jujayi lost his uncle, his mother’s brother. He has the same voice sometimes and he is gentle like his uncle. Sometimes this makes us sad because we always miss that uncle. Sometimes it makes us feel happy and proud though, because Jujayi’s uncle was a really wonderful man and we want Jujayi to grow up like him. Sometimes it’s happy because he reminds us of the people we love. Sometimes I look at him and think about my father and I feel alright. He is very precious to us like that.

He learns quick. I’m proud of him for that. He wants to learn to play guitar too, just like his uncle. That comes from his mother’s side family, I don’t really know how to play music. But I want him to learn that, following on his mother’s side.

I think he’ll play football like me, I’m good at football. He’ll maybe follow Allies which is my team. Once he was going for Kintore because they are the Hawks, just like Allies.

To view or download the PDF of this story click here

The idea for Strong Family Men came from Cecil “Crocodile” Johnson, a Mt Theo Traditional Owner and one of our fanstastic community partners from Central Australian Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Croc wanted to get Warlpiri family men, old and young, to share their stories about teaching, protecting and caring for children in their lives. We took beautiful photos with help from PAW Media, and worked to reflect, question and put together the values and ideas each person has for being a strong family men. The result is images and stories that are strong, proud and beautiful.

To view the image larger visit goo.gl/Kzxd

The idea for Strong Family Men came from Cecil “Crocodile” Johnson, a Mt Theo Traditional Owner and one of our fanstastic community partners from Central Australian Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Croc wanted to get Warlpiri family men, old and young, to share their stories about teaching, protecting and caring for children in their lives. We took beautiful photos with help from PAW Media, and worked to reflect, question and put together the values and ideas each person has for being a strong family men. The result is images and stories that are strong, proud and beautiful.

After two years of hard work developing continuous quality improvement systems within WYDAC, we were rewarded with ISO 9001:2008 Certification in early August 2010. We believe this is of real significance in demonstrating the strong capacity of our Aboriginal Corporation to meet international standards of quality management and service delivery.

An exciting new partnership with indigo foundation has led to a commitment to pro-bono legal advice by Gilbert & Tobin. This has already proved to be a significant support to WYDAC as we continue to aim for accountability and transparency in all our affairs. Find out more about indigo foundation here.

We were delighted this year to be awarded Youth in Communities (FaHCSIA) funding, primarily for our Lajamanu Program. They will be able to renovate the old, tired recreation hall, and provide accommodation for our youth workers.  Along with a youth worker salary, this will ensure the program in Lajamanu is structurally sustainable. This funding is a very welcome support to The Warlpiri Education Training Trust (WETT) funds, which have been the program’s only resource to date.

In October 2009 we held the Grand Opening of Stage 1 of the Warlpiri Regional Youth Development Complex, based in Yuendumu. This included the administration hub of WYDAC, and part-completion of the regional youth centre. We now ‘live’ in a beautiful building with room for all of us to work. The exceptional skills of Brendan Meney, architect/artist, resulted in spaces that are not only beautiful but functional and welcoming. The building ultimately won the Indigenous Community Architecture Award 2010.

The success of Stage 1 led to funding granted to undertake Stages 2 & 3 which will complete the recreation hall including a training kitchen and multi-purpose room, education/training and computer rooms, mentoring and counselling services, and Warra-Warra Kanyi and Jaru Pirrjirdi offices. We are also creating a community meeting space within the complex. This work, funded by the Aboriginal Benefits Account (ABA), will be completed mid 2012.

Testament to the success of, and respect for WYDAC, I was asked to sit on an expert committee for the National Health and Medical Research Centre (NHMRC) to develop the Clinical Practice Guideline to Manage Volatile Substance Use in Australia. This is reinforced by ever-increasing requests to present at key conferences and workshops.

In keeping with our principle of providing pathways to meaningful futures for young Warlpiri, we have significantly increased our team this year.  An Employment Policy was developed which details appropriate pathways from volunteers through to full-time workers. At 30 June 2010 there are 29 Aboriginal and 18 non-Aboriginal staff, with key positions being held by our local mob.

In ORIC news (Office of the Register of Indigenous Corporations), we were comprehensively audited in late 2009. The auditor noted:”The examination found that the corporation is well run, viable and solvent, and making a significant contribution to the community”.  A small number of breaches regarding reporting on membership and meetings were noted, promptly addressed by us, and acknowledged as compliant by ORIC in January 2010.

Our 63 Member Board were devastated to learn that under the new CATSI Regulations we are only permitted 12 persons on the Board. This was considered to be completely unacceptable by our mob, who actually do RUN the program through the Board. A key element of Program success is that the Board consists of members of all family groups in Yuendumu, ensuring community wide representation and discussion. We applied to ORIC for a waiver of this limit, a compromise was reached and we may now have a total of 50.

In February, WYDAC had a final resolution to our claim to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner regarding the ‘Haven Incident’. This was the appalling incident where our young lifeguard trainees were asked to leave The Haven Backpacker Hostel in Alice Springs. Our young women showed dignity and maturity throughout the distressing incident. Executives of the hostel visited Yuendumu, talked with the claimants, and resolved the issue.

During the year the Outstation cared for clients referred for issues relating to alcohol and cannabis misuse, domestic violence, assault and criminal activity. We also took several clients from Tennant Creek who were engaging in solvent misuse – petrol, glue and aerosols. This was the beginning of a relationship with Tennant Creek community that we anticipate will be vital to the well-being of their young people. There was no petrol or other inhalant abuse in Yuendumu, Willowra, Nyirrpi or Lajamanu where WYDAC runs youth programs.

The Jaru Pirrjirdi Program tells its own remarkable story in this report, however one exciting development is the partnership with STEPS Disability Inc Qld. STEPS is funded by DEEWR to target disengaged youth between 12 -19 years old back into formal education. The aim is to increase the number of young people achieving year 12 or equivalent, and WYDAC is their partner in the Warlpiri communities. This has enabled Jaru Pirrjirdi, and particularly Jaru Night Club, to focus on clearer and higher educational outcomes. We are proud of the 31 Jaru Pirrjirdi graduates currently in positions of employment, training or leadership in the community.

The desert summer was as good as it gets at the Yuendumu Swimming Pool. Open for 201 incident-free days, with 12,118 patrons, the Pool continues to score goals. There is no doubt our kids have less ear, eye and skin infections, that more kids are going to school as part of the ‘yes school, yes pool’ policy, and that young people are employed as lifeguards and kiosk attendants. However pool operational funding remains elusive. We continue to hope the enormous health, educational, diversionary and employment benefits will one day be acknowledged and supported by people other than community members.

We are particularly proud of Warra Warra Kanyi Counselling and Mentoring Service. During this year, the team worked with 75 at-risk young Warlpiri people, with issues ranging from cannabis and alcohol misuse, depression, grief, relationship issues and family breakdown, as well as suicidal ideation and behaviour. There is more about their extraordinary outcomes later in this Report.

The Outreach Program has developed substantially this year, consolidating in all communities, and ensuring a consistent range of diversionary and media activities. The WETT Youth & Media Project supports Warlpiri youth people to develop their sense of self, family and culture through diversionary programs with a special focus on media. In Nyirrpi, Lajamanu and Willowra, an average of 1340 participants enjoyed 159 hours of sporting and recreational activities every week. In addition a total of 842 media hours engaged 1524 participants.  PAW Media remain our partners and provide high quality training in media skills. Products produced by young people through this partnership can be enjoyed at www.wettmedia.com.au

Peggy Brown, OAM, Founder of Mt Theo Program yarned with Professor James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur, during his visit to Yuendumu in August 2009. The following is an extract of an article by Yuko Narushima, Indigenous Affairs Correspondent for the SMH, August 29.

The memory of Peggy Brown’s extraordinary success in stamping out petrol sniffing in her community on the edge of the Tanami Desert weighed heavy on the mind of the UN’s special rapporteur, James Anaya, as he wound up his 11-day fact-finding mission of Australia, outlining the problems of the Northern Territory intervention.

Ms Brown has an Order of Australia and founded the multimillion-dollar Mount Theo Program to rehabilitate substance abusers. She also has her income quarantined.

”I found her very inspirational,” Professor Anaya said, recalling her community-based solution to a local problem. ”She’s got this Australian medal of honour for her work and she’s out there on income management.”

In June, Andrew Stojanovski OAM and former Manager of the Mt Theo Program, launched his book Dog Ear Cafe, about the early days of Mt Theo Program. While we knew this was a story that should be told, to inform and to inspire, we have been astounded at how the wider community has embraced the book. After less than 6 weeks the publishers needed to do a second print run.

Then there are all the stories about our young people getting strong, standing up and staying up. So many good stories. The heart and soul of what we do, and what keeps us going. Like Bruno Wilson. Bruno successfully passed pre-Law at UNSW late in 2009, and has returned to continue his studies in 2010. A former Mt Theo client, he believes the best way for him to help his people is to understand the law, and help his Warlpiri family to navigate their way through it. Like Lance Inkamala. Lance has grown from being a client to a full-time Trainee Housing & Infrastructure Officer and valuable team member. Like Gina Spencer, who was instrumental in establishing Warra-Warra Kanyi and worked as Female Mentor supporting countless young women. She has now gone on to full-time employment with Warlpiri Rangers. Liam Jurrah, taking his place in the professional AFL world with such dignity, representing his people, and continuing to mentor our young people at home.

These young people and many more like them are clear evidence of the necessity and effectiveness of a community-based response to community issues. At the heart of this Report, in every story we tell, is Warlpiri cultural strength, pride, motivation, initiative and competence. And within that heart is the team that pulls it all together – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people who have abilities, skills and experience to share in working toward a common goal. People who remain inexorably committed to learning from each other so that young Warlpiri men and women may reach their potential. That’s why it works.

My hope is that you will read our stories, and be encouraged.

Susie Low

CEO, July 2010

Funded since 2007 by the Kurra Aboriginal Corporation, the model focuses initially on diversionary activities for young people; project based media workshops focus on process, developing interesting youth & media opportunities for young people as a diversion from at-risk behavior; higher end media training and activities focus on employment options and media products for use in the communities and the wider community.

It is only through the WETT Youth & Media Project that the Outreach Program has become sustainable and achieved substantial outcomes. Over the year the Project enabled a total of 842 media hours with 1524 participants across the three communities and several inspiring and fun films have been uploaded to www.wettmedia.org.au.  Its success has led to further funding from government donors.

Willowra

The Willowra Youth Program has established itself not only as a strong diversionary program but also a stable youth development program. There is a constant range of youth diversionary activities available to youth in Willowra encompassing sport, art, disco, media, music and excursions.

During this 12-month period, an average of 58.5 hours per week of activities attracted an average of 326.9 participants. Incite Youth Arts dance and hip-hop music, and graffiti art workshops ran over several weeks during this year and were extremely popular.

The training rooms have been used on a daily basis, providing a hub for literacy, numeracy, music and media training, as well as recreational activities such as pottery, for the older young people. In a short time it has proved an effective space for 15-25 year olds with an emphasis on music and media training. One room has been dedicated a video edit suite, another stores the high-end music recording equipment and the other largest room housing three computers and a small area with bean bags and magazines. Activities have included music recording with the Lander River Band, photography and printing workshops, video editing and general computer use.

During this year, a large multi-purpose room was completed as an extension of the youth centre. This space also houses the Willowra family painting project that was completed in December 2009. Willowra elders officially opened the ‘gallery’ on Christmas Eve.  Fourteen family groups are represented, with an elder from each family, their children and grandchildren, painting their ‘dreaming’.  The paintings are on permanent display in the Youth Centre’s Blue Room and are identified by a small display card in English and Warlpiri.

A highlight was ‘Wirliyajarrayi Festival’, the major arts and cultural project in Willowra held on Saturday October 17. Many organisations were involved to make this a spectacular event. People from other communities came to participate and to watch.  Activities were held throughout the day: clay workshop, egg and spoon races, Pinyada and lollie scramble, lighting of the pottery kiln, dancing preparations, and a magic show. In the months leading to the event the youth watched elders painting Yawalyu and Pulapa banners and participated in dancing practice (men and boys). The Lander River Band was the feature band at the Festival. Anna Cadden (Media Trainer) and the youth workers mentored and assisted two of the media -trained girls to film the Festival, and post-production. Several of the Mt Theo team assisted and supported the Willowra youth workers. The community young and old prepared for the festival by painting traditional paintings and making wooden artifacts such as coolamons, clapping Sticks and boomerangs.  Through this process the youth were immersed in Warlpiri artistic cultural traditions.

Mt Theo youth workers took part responsibility for the childcare, as a way of accessing and supporting young mothers in the community and tutoring a number of young mothers who are studying for their Cert 111 in Childcare.

As part of the senior class school curriculum, we mentored a video production course, which saw a 3-minute movie produced completely by the students. They drew up storyboards, developed concepts, learnt how to use the camera and edited the movie in iMovie.  A version was uploaded to the community website by the students.  The class were engaged, extremely enthusiastic and showed great skill in the project.

Willowra Music Studio

The music-recording studio has been a valuable asset to the youth program. The studio is used on a daily/weekly basis. The music studio has generated very strong participation by both young men and women. As part of the youth development strategy, the studio will not only equip the Lander River Band and others with the resources to produce and record their music, but provides a hub for vocational training in music engineering, recording, and performance.

Nyirrpi

The Nyirrpi Youth Program has had a very successful 12 months with stable youth workers and a Youth Committee directing strategy and activities. A wide range of activities were available for 5 days every week, with an additional focus on cultural excursions and computers, as instructed by the community.

During this 12-month period, an average of 45 hours per week of activities attracted an average of 279.3 participants. Incite Youth Arts dance and hip-hop music, and graffiti art workshops ran over several weeks during this year and were extremely popular.

Weekly cultural excursions were a particular highlight and focus of the program during this period. This included elders of the community accompanying Nyirrpi youth to show and teach about important sites, searching for bush tucker and animals. A new partnership with Indigo Foundation will ensure one extended camp each year to build on the strong cultural focus of the community elders.

Nyirrpi women also joined Yuendumu women for the Karnte Dance Camp during which many younger women were taught dreamtime stories and dancing. Nyirrpi youth also participated in a CLC Ranger trip in June to monitor flora and fauna in the region.

GMAAAC (Granites Mines Affected Area Aboriginal Corporation) provided $68,200 for a music & new media studio which involved building soundproofed rooms within the existing Nyirrpi Recreational Hall.  This enabled the facilitation of a broad range of media and training programs.  The rooms house equipment to be used for video production, music recording, podcasting and new media. It enables the community to produce works of a professional-level standard.  The space is also used as a place for the bands to rehearse.

CAYLUS (Central Australian Youth Link-up Services) funded two lockable rooms, which are built at the front of the hall, and a storage room inside. One room is used as a music & computer room, the other is the program office.

The Youth Committee meets regularly and is actively involved in service delivery. All of this has created clear community expectations regarding the program and positive feedback from community and funding bodies.

PAW Media (Warlpiri Media) ran a number of media training workshops involving animation, filming, editing and music and these were well patronized by Nyirrpi youth. Two excellent plasticine animation movies were produced from the June animation workshops. It is hoped that this initial media training experience can generate greater day to day involvement of media production such as photography and filming alongside normal youth activity. Similarly this should provide greater opportunities for youth development work in the Nyirrpi program.

Lajamanu

The Lajamanu program has had an outstanding first year, providing a comprehensive range of diversion and development activities to Lajamanu youth. Two new workers have established a dynamic and positive development program that has been very well received by the community.

After much groundwork and supervision a strong pool of local Jaru/trainees is being well utilized and will continue to grow until well into the future. Furthermore, the Youth Committee was established involving local members, and more broadly, an advisory group involving the Police, School and Clinic.

Incite Youth Arts dance and hip-hop music, and graffiti art workshops ran over several weeks during this year and were extremely popular.

During this 12-month period, an average of 55.5 hours per week of activities attracted an average of 733.3 participants.

Other than traditional sporting and disco activities, excursions, computers and media activities emerged as significant program elements. Excursions are highly valued by the youth and the community for their high cultural value. Elders were present on these trips to teach Lajamanu youth about dreaming stories, bush tucker, bush medicine and their own history.

A very popular media room has been established which enables video editing post bush trips, disco and sporting activity in addition to recording music.

Media is an essential part of the diversionary youth program in Lajamanu, youth workers engage in basic media activities at a daily/weekly level. This may involve going on a bush excursion and taking the camera along, or filming football matches or a disco. This enables a wide range of youth to engage at an introductory and fun level with the media project. This also presents as a ‘talent spotting’ exercise for the youth workers to pass on to PAW Media and trainers information about who may be especially interested or capable for more formal training.

A number of promising cultural projects have been established during this period such as a t-shirt screen-printing representing skin groups and a collaboration with Warnayaka Art Gallery on painting and dancing. There has been extensive discussion about a more comprehensive long-term project ‘Yirtaki Mani’ which would be a tracking project aimed at cultural literacy, designed by Mt Theo Lajamanu cultural mentor Steve Patrick.

In addition to these core activities important qualititative additions were made to many activities. For example hanging out in the youth space has widened to include literacy activity such as computers and reading newspapers, magazines, crossword puzzles, find-a-word games, which have been provided. Disco became a larger, more vibrant and multi-faceted during this period. In addition to the usual DJing of music and dancing a booming kitchen service was established which was staffed by Lajamanu youth. Moreover each disco was filmed by Jaru workers and concurrently played on a large screen with projector for all attendees to see.

The Outreach Program is funded by Kurra Aboriginal Corporation(WETT – Warlpiri Education Training Trust); Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs - Youth in Communities; NT Department of Health & Families; Granites Mines Affected Area Aboriginal Corporation (GMAAAC); Central Australian Youth Link Up Service (CAYLUS).

In the Warlpiri language, Warra-Warra Kanyi translates to mean ‘caring for people’. It describes the kind of care that is appropriate for young Warlpiri people; that is, watching over them quietly, ‘worrying’ for them, supporting them, and being there to help them when they encounter difficulty. It describes the kind of respectful, supportive care young people give each other through the mentoring process, as well as the approach taken by community elders, family members and staff members within this project.

The team continues to be comprised of Jean Napanangka Brown (Senior Cultural Advisor), Sherman Jungarrayi Spencer (Male Youth Mentor) and Ruth Bignell (Counsellor/Team Leader). In addition we are pleased to welcome Danielle Nangala Egan to the team – Danielle assumed the role of Female Youth Mentor in May 2010, and we are extremely proud and happy to have her on the team. Danielle replaces Gina Spencer who after many months hard work, has moved across to work with Warlpiri Rangers in land management. In addition to these key Warra-Warra Kanyi staff members, young people at risk are supported by a pool of Jaru Pirrjirdi mentors who are continually supported and developed in this mentoring role.

Between July 2009 and June 2010, the Warra-Warra Kanyi team worked with 75 at-risk young Warlpiri people, with issues ranging from cannabis and alcohol misuse, depression, grief, relationship issues and family breakdown, right through to serious suicidal ideation and behaviour. Indeed, one of the main aims of Warra-Warra Kanyi is to reduce the rate of suicidal behaviour and attempts in Yuendumu, and we are pleased to report an indicative reduction in these statistics in 2009-10, compared to only a few short years ago. Significant acknowledgement for this lowered statistic must go to Sherman Jungarrayi Spencer, Warra-Warra Kanyi Male Youth Mentor, and tireless campaigner for the issue of male youth suicide in Yuendumu over several years.

There has been so much hard work, and so many great outcomes, in our project work and resource development this year that it is difficult to choose highlights! For several months in late 2009 and ongoing into 2010, the Warra-Warra Kanyi team worked closely with other local agencies and community members to design and implement a strategy for tackling the problem of increased cannabis misuse among young people in Yuendumu. This collaboration was a real grass-roots success – outcomes included the referral of several young clients to the Mt Theo Outstation for cultural rehabilitation; the production of anti-cannabis signs at Jaru Pirrjirdi Night Club; and considerable community education and discussion around the mental health and other risks associated with heavy cannabis use.

In February 2010, Jean Napanangka Brown (WWK Senior Cultural Advisor) completed work on her beautiful painting, Warra-Warra Kanyi. This work captures the Warra-Warra Kanyi way of working, and serves as an important tool both for establishing our core values to our team and committee, and for promoting the service to the Warlpiri community. Later in the year, Jaru Pirrjirdi mentors Sebastian Watson and Delvene Langdon also produced a painting, dealing with the effects and relationship between alcohol and violence in families.

In March 2010, Sherman Jungarrayi Spencer attended the launch in Alice Springs of Suicide Story, a suicide intervention training resource developed by the Mental Health Association of Central Australia specifically for people form remote central Australian communities. There, in front of the Alice Springs mental health community, Sherman received an award thanking him for his major contribution to the resource. Well done Sherman!

As this report goes to press, the Warra-Warra Kanyi team continues to work tirelessly towards bettering the situations for young Walrpiri people in Yuendumu; Jean is involved in a perinatal mental health collaboration with Central Australian Mental Health Service, Ruth and Jaru Pirrjirdi Mentors Sebastian and MG are putting the finishing touches on a project celebrating strong Warlpiri family men, and we are all about to embark upon a week-long trip to Mt Theo Outstation where we will experience the training resource, Suicide Story, that Sherman helped to create. We look forward to the challenges of the next year, and to continuing to work with the young people and community of Yuendumu.

The Warra-Warra Kanyi model

Over the past twelve months, the Warra-Warra Kanyi model has developed and expanded to respond to the ongoing needs of the community. Our work is based upon six primary elements:

Prevention and Education Work

This element involves providing information and education around mental health, substance misuse and other risk issues in an appropriate way to Warlpiri families, young people and the community.

Early Intervention

We aim to identify and respond to issues that face young people before they become serious crises. Camping trips, mens and womens hunting and cultural activities, and community-wide initiatives (for example, dealing with cannabis misuse in the community) all form part of this element.

Family and Community Engagement

As demonstrated in Jean’s painting, a fundamental and guiding principle of Warra-Warra Kanyi is our involvement of a young person’s family and the wider Warlpiri community in their recovery. In doing so we aim value and develop the rich knowledge and experience that Warlpiri families have in caring for their young people.

Resource Development and Projects

The development of Warlpiri paintings, Warlpiri-specific therapeutic tools, interagency projects and collaborations all come together to form this important element of Warra-Warra Kanyi. Some of them are described above!

Individual Community-Based Counselling and Mentoring

Community-based counselling and peer mentoring support for young people and their families whose issues can’t be resolved through early intervention/prevention activities.

Re-engagement with Jaru Pirrjirdi

The ultimate goal of Warra-Warra Kanyi! The involvement of our young Walrpiri clients with Jaru Pirrjirdi and the positive life pathways it offers young people is the best way to foster a positive and effective recovery.

“This painting shows the way we work with young people inside our Warra-Warra Kanyi project. In the centre of the painting you will see a young fella. He gets into trouble, the kind of trouble you see in the bottom left hand side of the painting – the trouble might be grog, gunja, fighting or worrying too much and these things make him sick in his heart. He is milyapinja-wangu – he’s forgetting everything he knows, and the right way to act, poor thing. The other circles show the way we might work with him. There is a circle showing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers sitting together with that young person and helping him. There is a circle showing him surrounded by his community, who are gathering round him and supporting him. And there is a circle showing the young man getting stronger and sitting with his family. In this way, he will get his memory and his strength back again. Yuwayi.” Jean Napanangka Brown, February 2010

Warra-Warra Kanyi Counselling and Mentoring Service is funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs,  Mental Health Branch, Personal Helpers and Mentors – Remote Servicing.

The Jaru Pirrjirdi Program is a youth development and leadership program, as well as an aftercare program for ‘at risk’ youth. It creates meaningful and positive futures for young adults aged between 15-25. Jaru Pirrjirdi operates on a 6 level structure, these levels represent growing degrees of capacity and responsibility for Jaru to work through towards future careers and pathways.

This year has been a very strong year for Jaru, with many young people proving their strength and self worth through the running of activities, projects, cultural knowledge, education, jobs and leadership status within Yuendumu community. The development of a strong educational and training focus has seen Jaru Pirrjirdi go from strength to strength and pave a path to furthering educational/career growth.

Youth Program

The youth program operates seven days a week in Yuendumu, every week of the year and incorporates several activities after school every day and a number of activities every evening. Most activities are run by Jaru Pirrjirdi youth worker trainees, who have the opportunity to move into casual, part-time or full-time work within the program. This work provides meaningful activity and responsibility as a stepping stone into more formal employment or education. Jaru Pirrjirdi have a strong role within the community as young leaders and perhaps a more important role is that of the ‘eyes and ears’ to identify youth who may be at risk through frequent contact by  the running of activities.

Concurrent activities run with the help of Jaru Pirrjirdi trainees which allows for approximately 4-5 youth activities to be run daily. Over the past year there have been over 128 hours of activities provided by youth workers every week, with the help of 98 Jaru Pirrjirdi Volunteers.

The base of the youth program activities are football, soccer, basketball, softball, arts and crafts, disco’s, family nights and swimming. Beyond this, there are also specific project activities such as graffiti art, hip hop music and dance workshops. This year has been a positive year for youth program with a wide range of activities provided to high volume of youth.

Education

The homework centre, run 2 days a week for an hour after school, continues to be an exciting activity for kids, which constitutes quality educational engagement and a healthy afternoon snack. Activities regularly provided are literacy, numeracy, art/craft, music and geography. Homework centre aims to further the education of 4-15 year olds and re-engage children who may not be attending school on a regular basis. Yuendumu school provides learning resources and the youth worker is assisted by Jaru trainees. Feedback from the school, youth and wider community has been very positive.

Over the last year homework centre has run 36 afternoons during the school term with an average daily attendance of 16.5 youth. Strong relationships built with the school means we are more apt to work one on one with children who may be struggling in certain areas with their school work. Homework Centre provides a fun and positive educational environment outside of the school setting.

Jaru Night Club continues to be the hub of meaningful activity for young people at night-time, running 3 nights every week of the school year. It provides enjoyable, practical learning opportunities for 15 – 25 year olds, and is a tool to re-engage young people back into formal education and training. A teacher from the school is provided 2 nights a week to help re-build broken relationships with the school and make the pathway back into formal education softer. Activities run at Jaru Night Club include music, soccer, art and craft, computers and worksheets. Other organisations both locally and externally use Jaru Night Club as the best forum for youth to engage and participate in important educational workshops such as sexual health, domestic violence, financial advice, driver licenses etc. Jaru Night Club has run for 96 evenings with an average nightly attendance of 20.8 youth.

Youth Connections is a new partnership with STEPS funded by DEEWR. It aims to target disengaged youth aged 12-19yrs back into formal education and is another step towards creating more meaningful, educated futures for young Warlpiri people in Yuendumu. Through the development of this partnership, we have been able to focus more on boarding school and Batchelor College applications and enrolments for the youth, and build a stronger tie with the local Yuendumu school to support kids in their educational futures.

Culture

Excursions remain a popular activity with the kids and Jaru where elders are invited to join the group out bush to teach the kids about land, culture, dreaming stories and how to hunt and gather local bush tucker. Excursions are generally run every Sunday as a whole day activity. Cultural excursions provide the opportunity for kids and Jaru to feel proud of their culture and empowered by their knowledge, increasing self-esteem and confidence.

Fortnightly culture evenings run by the school are supported by the youth workers and Jaru Pirrjirdi. The youth workers and Jaru help bring the kids to the school to participate and are seen to be supporting the learning of culture. As Jaru are the primary role models for youth this is a significant alignment.

A strong relationship has developed with the Central Land Council through their formation of a Warlpiri Rangers group based in Yuendumu. The recently hired ranger staff are predominantly former Jaru members and the opportunity to also have two Jaru Ranger Trainees as part of this formal Warlpiri Rangers group is developing for 2010/11.

Projects:

Projects this year have been very successful. They reflect the importance of Jaru Pirrjirdi as a strong group of young people that external and local agencies wish to address in terms of government representation and communication of. Moreover, projects, such as driving licences, arts and sports projects create opportunity for Jaru to take part in more meaningful, quality activities.

This year we have done a huge amount of projects, some of the highlights are:

Sports and Recreation Projects

Community Summer Football Competition

Community Summer Basketball Competition

Winter School Holidays Auskick Competition

Winter School Holidays Softball Competition

All competitions are run by Jaru, scoring, umpiring, organizing, preparation, results and presentations.

Arts and Media Projects

Hip Hop dance and music projects in collaboration with Incite Youth Arts.

6 x 2 weeks vacation projects. CD’s produced and dance performances.

1 x 2 weeks of graffiti art workshops. WYDAC story painted on exterior of new office building.

Culture Projects

Southern Ngalia Karnte Dance Camp- In partnership with Incite and former WYDAC youth worker, Natalie O’Connor. 3 day, 2 night Camp out bush learning traditional singing and dancing from elders.

Mentoring

Mentoring remains an important part of work done by senior Jaru Pirrjirdi members. Since the launch of the Warra Warra Kanyi Counselling and Mentoring Service (WWK) last year, we have seen 60.5% of clients supported by a Jaru mentor. WWK has allowed Jaru mentoring to move from being a natural expression of leadership within the community into a more supervised, coordinated and methodical approach to dealing with youth ‘at risk’.

The WWK coordinates the Mt Theo Program response to substance abuse, domestic violence and/or family violence, suicidal ideation and general personal difficulties. Important local and cultural factors such as gender, skin name and family group determine which senior Jaru are selected for this important case work. The individuals receive support in the form of mentoring from these Senior Jaru who are in constant contact with them.

Graduation-Future Pathways

Once Jaru members are deemed ‘Senior Jaru’ they are considered to have graduated from the program. From participation in the Jaru Pirrjirdi pathways, the personal capacity, achievements and development are measured to decide who becomes a graduate. There are a total of 50 Jaru Pirrjirdi graduates to date, which shows the strength and leadership qualities of young people growing up in Yuendumu as part of the Jaru Pirrjirdi Program.

This year, 31 Senior Jaru are currently in positions of employment, training or leadership within the community, both at Mt Theo Program and other organizations.

More importantly to this, Senior Jaru Pirrjirdi are taking on a more active leadership role within Yuendumu community as strong, young adults who are respected by the youth, elders and other agencies as an important voice. We are seeing more Jaru members on local boards and committees, in stronger positions of power to help change and mould the future for themselves and their families.

Future pathways serves to build local capacity and achieve true community development. Moreover, it creates space within the program for young adults to keep entering and moving through the elements of the program.

Key Partnerships created to assist Jaru build meaningful futures:

1. Warlpiri Rangers: Predominantly graduated Jaru members employed as full-time staff, with 2 x Jaru Ranger Trainees.
2. Yuendumu Swimming Pool: Managed by Mt Theo Program. Fully trained lifeguards to be supplied solely from the Jaru membership. 18 fully trained lifeguards.
3. Yuendumu Diesel Mechanic Workshop: Managed by Mt Theo Program. Opportunity for 4 Jaru apprenticeships.

The Jaru Pirrjirdi Program is supported by the Department of Health and Ageing – Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; Drug Strategy Branch; STEPS Disability Qld Inc; Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs; Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations; Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (NRETAS).

Many of our clients are now referred to us through the justice system or by the Northern Territory police, Community Corrections, NT Family and Children’s Services and non-government organizations.

The total of 43 clients cared for at Mt Theo Outstation marked an increase from the previous year due primarily to an increase of young clients from the wider Warlpiri region. Within Yuendumu we have found that as our community based preventative, diversionary and aftercare projects strengthen many clients can be cared for appropriately within the community context.  Twenty-three percent of all client referrals were from the greater Warlpiri region – 9% from Alice Springs, 7% from Yuelamu and 7% from Tennant Creek.

Of the 43 clients referred to the outstation 30% were alcohol related, 16% cannabis related, 16% petrol/solvents, 7%  Domestic Violence, 9%  assault/violence, and 74%  breaking in/ criminal activity.

It is significant that there were no recorded incidents of petrol sniffing in Yuendumu, Willowra, Nyirrpi or Lajamanu this year we’re Mt Theo runs diversionary programs. All clients referred to Mt Theo for petrol sniffing/ solvent misuse were from other Warlpiri communities.

Forty-eight percent of clients were referred to the outstation by Yuendumu Police, through youth diversion, 4% by CAYLUS, 25% by the Department of Community Corrections and 14% family/community/self. Not included in this data is that the outstation has also been used by several young men who voluntarily go to Mt Theo for several days just to ‘cool down’ or seek temporary respite.

Outstation activities blend culture, recreation, health and maintenance. Hunting, tracking, cooking traditional food, traditional painting, fire-making, and story telling as well as trips to significant sites provide an environment not only for cultural strengthening, but also a non threatening forum to engage in discussion about the problems they are working through. Other recreational activities including basketball, football and music happen on a daily basis.

Clients are offered a range of workshops run by external agencies from both Alice Springs and Yuendumu to assist in their recovery. This year workshops were held on nutrition, no-smoking/ health promotion, art (by visiting volunteers from Warlukurlangu Art Centre), and a day long Legal education workshop run by CAALAS (Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service).

Three day country visits organised by Yuendumu School included our clients. Elders, teachers and young people spent time at significant sites and helped prepare clients for re-engaging with school. Yuendumu Police visited the outstation on one occasion continuing their support to and relationships with referred clients.

Clients participated in a week long Warlpiri Ranger Camp at Mt Theo, learning to monitor and record information about threatened species and fire management to promote habitat growth.

Two dancers from Incite Youth Arts spent a weekend at the outstation teaching hip hop, providing opportunity for clients to express themselves through dance.

Relationships with agencies and services in and outside of Yuendumu have continued to strengthen this year. Of particular significance is the development of a solid connection with Tennant Creek. Many young Warlpiri people were engaging in solvent misuse (petrol sniffing/ glue/ spray) in the area, and several have now participated in the outstation program. ADSCA (Alcohol and Other Drugs Service of Central Australia) is the main liaison point for this relationship along with Tennant Creek Police and client families.  Peggy Brown, outstation carers and community elders visited Tennant Creek and Ali Curung this year to strengthen both client and agency relationships.

Whilst at the outstation all clients are case managed and case files are maintained by Mt Theo Outstation Coordinator and updated through regular contact with the outstation. As part of an individual’s exit strategy, participation in youth activities in community is recorded, and Jaru Pirrjirdi and Warra-Warra Kanyi mentors monitor their well-being.  With youth workers in Willowra, Nyirrpi, Lajamanu and now with strong relationships with agencies in Tennant Creek, we can offer better aftercare opportunities to clients returning to those communities. Our experience shows that consistent aftercare assists in strengthening clients to re-engage with their families in a stronger, more positive way.

A significant factor in the Outstation’s ongoing success is the unique identity of the Mt Theo Program within Warlpiri youth culture, and the broader Warlpiri community. Warlpiri youth refer to Mt Theo as a ‘life-saving’ place, where young people are safely and appropriately looked after in a ‘proper’ Warlpiri way. Young people will strongly encourage their at-risk peers to go to Mt Theo as a safe and supported environment for dealing with their problems, and occasionally refer themselves to Mt Theo for respite care. Furthermore, young people from Yuendumu, regardless of their own personal issues, are enormously proud of the fact that their community have effectively dealt with a problem as significant as widespread petrol sniffing, and facilitated a healthy youth culture where sniffing is not acceptable.

Despite this pride in Mt Theo, the deterrent or punitive element of the Outstation remains strong. The ‘punishment’ of sending a young person to Mt Theo constitutes for that young person a community-sanctioned penalty for at-risk behaviour through appropriate and powerful cultural means. Our experience shows that the most effective measure for eradicating or positively modifying at-risk behavior is the active censure of these behaviours from within the Warlpiri community.

The Outstation program is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing (Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; Drug Strategy Branch),and the NT Department of Health and Families. The Attorney General’s Department funds care of clients through CAYLUS.

Commonwealth:

Department of Health & Aging

Office of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH)

Closing the Gap – AOD Activities

Drug Strategies Branch

Health Strategies Branch

Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs

The Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination

Central Australian Petrol Sniffing Strategy Unit

Emergency Relief

Financial Management Program

Local Priorities Funding

Indigenous Communities Strategic Investment

Mental Health Branch, Personal Helpers and Mentors – Remote Servicing

Aboriginal Benefit Account

Community Investment Program

Closing the Gap, Youth in Communities

Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations

After School and Vacation Care

Northern Territory:

Department of Health & Families

Arts NT

Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (NRETAS)

Central Desert Shire

Independent:

Central Australian Youth LinkUp Service (CAYLUS)

Collingwood Industrial Magpies Coterie Group, Victoria

General Mines Affected Area Aboriginal Corporation (GMAAAC)

The Ian Potter Foundation

Kurra Aboriginal Corporation

Newmont Asia Pacific

Rio Tinto Services Limited

Rotary Club, Frankston, Victoria

STEPS Disability Qld Inc

Warlukulangu Art Centre

Private donors

Mt Theo gratefully acknowledges those private individuals and groups in the broader community who donate regularly. As these donations are not encumbered with project-specific funding conditions, they allow us to respond to community concerns as they arise. Such funds provide invaluable operational flexibility.

In-kind and professional support:

Bruce and Rhea Hearn-McKinnon

Canberra Doctors Association

Gilbert & Tobin, Lawyers

indigo foundation

John Lewin

Karl Hampton, MLA

Newmont Asia Pacific

Professor Sherry Saggers and Anne Stearne

Community Partnerships:

Bush Mob, Alice Springs

Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit

Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Services

Central Australian Youth LinkUp Service (CAYLUS), Alice Springs

Central Desert Shire

Central Land Council

Community Corrections, Alice Springs

InCite Youth Arts, Alice Springs

Kormilda College, Darwin

Lajamanu Store

Life Promotion, Alice Springs

Newmont Asia Pacific

Northern Territory Family & Childrens Services, Alice Springs

Nyirrpi Clinic

Nyirrpi School

PAW Media

Remote Mental Health, Alice Springs

Royal Life Saving Society

Warlukurlangu Artists

Willowra Clinic

Willowra School

World Vision Early Childhood Project

Worrawa College, Melbourne

Wyn Health

Youth Challenge Australia

Yuendumu CDEP

Yuendumu churches

Yuendumu Clinic

Yuendumu Kurdu Kurdu Kurlangu Childcare

Yuendumu Law and Justice Committee

Yuendumu Men’s and Women’s Night Patrols

Yuendumu Mining Store

Yuendumu Police

Yuendumu School

Yuendumu Social Club

Yuendumu Women’s Centre

To facilitate the process, WYDAC received the invaluable assistance of Unna Liddy, a consultant from 2020 Integrated Solutions, who helped translate this list of criteria into manageable steps for us to undertake, while providing a framework around which to build the Quality Management System. Even with this support, the task ahead was daunting. It was clear that with the wide scope of services we offer, and while the Program was already going through such a large, ongoing expansion, there was already a massive workload without taking on this overhaul of the Program.

However, from the very start, this process was seen as an opportunity to improve both our service and our knowledge of Mt Theo, to really look into what makes Mt Theo such an effective organisation and to further develop these elements. This reflection highlighted the cooperation, trust and mutual respect at the core of our successes. So as we worked through these steps to accreditation we kept in mind that the ultimate success was not the certification but the improved outcomes that could be achieved. And at the end of the process, to be able to hold up the organisation as an example of how Yapa and Kardiya ideas can be brought together effectively, and in so doing improve the outcomes in all areas of the Program, while comparing favourably to any organisation in the world.

Having implemented this management system throughout WYDAC, in order to assess our organisation we approached BSI, internationally recognised as one of the leading certification bodies. After both an offsite evaluation of our systems in May and an onsite audit of the Program in Yuendumu and Nyirrpi in August, we were unreservedly recommended for certification which was subsequently confirmed on the 18^th August.

Over the last two years, many people need to be thanked for all their work as Mt Theo has taken the small steps on route to receiving accreditation. But no one has put in as much effort as Susie, who spent far too many nights reviewing and updating documents, keeping registers up to date, developing policies and procedures and the countless other tasks required along the way. Congratulations to all who have been involved. While the process has been exhausting and stressful at times, it has been a monumental effort and we can be incredibly proud of our unique Program.

Sebastian Watson presenting at the FaHCSIA workshop in Canberra

The Mt Theo Committee is dedicated to sharing the success story of Mt Theo Program, and inspiring communities to take strong action in strengthening their young people. We are not always able to respond to the numerous requests for information and interviews, and where appropriate promote our website as a first source.

Here is a list of some of the things we did in 2009-2010:

Conference & Workshop presentations:

The 2^nd National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Family & Community Strengths Conference, 2009, University of Newcastle. Keynote.

National Indigenous Drugs & Alcohol Conference (NIDAC) 2010, Adelaide

Personal Carers & Mentors Service Workshop (FaHCSIA), 2010, Canberra

Youth in Communities Provider Recall Meeting (FaHCSIA), June 2010

Delvene Langdon and Susie Low explaining Sebastian's painting depicting the relationship between grog and family violence.

Representation by Mt Theo Program staff, Committee and Jaru Pirrjirdi members during 2009 – 2010 included:

Commonwealth and Territory government and program officials, Members of the NT Legislative Assembly, NT Police Commissioner.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Human Rights, Prof. James Anaya.

Suicide Prevention Workshop, Central Australian Mental Health Association

Kurra Aboriginal Corporation, CLC – WETT Project

Mt Evelyn Christian College, Melbourne

Yuendumu Police, Clinic, Childcare, Women’s’ Centre, School, Central Desert Shire, WynHealth

Research & Review

WYDAC participated in a number of key research and review projects:

Review of the Integrated Youth Services Project

Review of NTER Youth Alcohol Diversion Measure

Turning Point evaluation of AER projects

National Policy Development

The CEO is a member of the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) expert committee to develop the Clinical Practice Guideline to Manage Volatile Substance Use in Australia.

Media

The Program has been featured regularly in the media this year. As a nationally recognised and respected community program we are often used as a source for ‘expert comment’ in features and in-depth reviews of Aboriginal substance abuse issues, or programs focussing on young people. Mt Theo staff, Committee and Jaru Pirrjirdi members are interviewed, on average, once a fortnight.

Main media topics included the lack of funding for the Yuendumu Swimming Pool, suicide prevention strategies, stories of individual Jaru Pirrjirdi members including Liam Jurrah high profile role in the AFL, (MFC)and the launch of the book Dog Ear Cafe. A highlight was the Weekend Australian magazine feature in June 2010.

2010 saw the release of Andrew Stojanovski’s Dog Ear Café. Described by critics to be a ‘true-life adventure story’, his book very candidly discusses how he, alongside Peggy Brown and Johnny Miller, founded the Mt Theo Program in 1994 to end the devastation caused by what has long been considered Australia’s worst drug issue.

Andrew’s personal recollections demonstrate the Mt Theo Program’s evolution from what began as a small, responsive grassroots project to the community’s fully functioning non-profit organisation that it is today.

The book delves into issues such as indigenous alcoholism, welfare dependency, racial economics and well-intended policies and programs with remarkable insight, offering an ideology, which prioritises the formation of relationships within traditional Warlpiri culture.  By delivering firsthand knowledge and accounts of his experiences, Andrew uses his wit and charm to explain how his relationship with the region and its people assisted in breaking down long-standing racial divides.

Following numerous book launches across the country, Dog Ear Café was met with enthusiasm by various community members and stakeholders alike. At its core, the book embarks not only to tell a truly inspirational story, but also to offer recognition and gratitude to all that have been involved in the Mt Theo journey over the years.

Dog Ear Café has featured regularly in the media since its release, with articles in publications such as The Australian, The Canberra Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times and ABC Life Matters radio segment.

Andrew Stojanovski, better known to the Warlpiri people as Yakajirri, recently embarked on a 120km walk to the Mt Theo Outstation, the heart of the program. Here, he presented the first official copy of Dog Ear Café to the program’s founders and traditional owners of the land as a symbolic gesture that acknowledged their dedication to saving the lives of young Warlpiri people.

* Dog Ear Cafe is available in bookstores in Australia. Alternatively, to purchase the book via our Paypal site, please visit this page.

The proceeds from sales of the book will support the ongoing running of Yuendumu community pool.

News and reviews

ABC Life Matters

Transient Languages and Cultures Blog

The Australian

Alice Online

ABC Canberra

Image courtesy The Slattery Media Group and the AFL

Liam Jurrah, NT Young Australian of the Year 2009! The fact that Liam was nominated for his work with Mt Theo in the Jaru Pirrjirdi Program, as well as his freakish football talents, would indicate he is more than just the latest Melbourne gun. He continues to serve the young people of Yuendumu community and deserves this recognition for the outstanding young man that he is.

Moreover, the Demons Club has adopted our community in a real and practical way. Trips back, most recently with Jimmy Stynes and Coach Dean Bailey, focus on school attendance and professional training clinics for up and coming players. The relationship with the community continues to grow under Liam’s guidance.

Image courtesy The Slattery Media Group and the AFL

In July 2009, Liam’s debut jumper was auctioned online by Melbourne Football Club to raise money for cancer research. We thought longingly of how Liam’s jumper, displayed in the office, would inspire all Warlpiri young men and women. The debut jumper is perhaps the best representation of one enormous Jaru Pirrjirdi journey that took so much maturity and character – everybody here knows that Liam made it to the AFL because of the strong person that he is, just as much as the great footballer that he is. What happened next is the stuff of dreams – frantic phone calls and emails from Luke Scholes, on behalf of Demonland, an online support group. The group had agreed that the jumper belonged in Liam’s home town, and had decided to throw in $ to make sure it happened. Then Demonology, another online fan site came on board. After a super-human, nail-biting effort by ‘Demonlanders’, ‘Demonologists’ and Luke , official bidder, the jumper was ours! They raised an outstanding $4000 to bring the jumper home, and one member even framed the jumper for us. The fact that they could see the ongoing value of having this symbol of courage, skill and commitment displayed for Liam’s community and family to share, is itself a statement on the sensitivity and understanding of the Demon supporters. Such an outpouring of support by footy fans is remarkable. It sits proudly in our office for all to see, enjoy and be inspired.

On his private visits home he still mentors young Jaru, telling them to be healthy, live strong and go to school. They hang off every word. He also continues to work with Brett Badger, the Operations Manager, taking care of older Jaru men who need support.

And then, of course, there’s his exceptional football ability, recently coming back from a serious shoulder injury to kick 21 goals in 8 games and play with the excitement, skill and flair of his Warlpiri upbringing! And to take what we know would have to be ‘mark of the year’!

Check it out here:

To view more images of Liam Jurrah, visit The Slattery Media Group Website

During February, six lifeguards updated their bronze medallions and they continued to provide support to the full time team of Pool Manager Darren Talbot and Youth Worker Cecily Blakeman. The excellent efforts of the pool staff ensured another incident free year. These staff worked tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain the comprehensive infrastructure and chemical operations required to keep the pool functioning at its usual high level – which is no easy task in the middle of a desert!

The pool was open from September to April (closed for Winter) and the participation numbers clearly indicate the significant success and enjoyment of the Yuendumu pool : open for 201 days (908 hours), with 12,118 visitors.  In addition to the many hours the pool was open to the public, it was also used for a) Group/Agency Bookings and b) Lap Swimming. Groups who regularly used the pool included Yuendumu School, Yuendumu Childcare, Nyirrpi School and Mt Allan School as well as Nyirrpi and Willowra Mt Theo youth programs. A highlight of the year was the Yuendumu School Swimming Carnival which was held in late April to coincide with the Winter closing of the pool.

The most exciting development in the pool complex this year was the addition of a children’s playground and the development of a comprehensive landscape garden program.  The garden will lead the creation of a central oasis and community park in the middle of Yuendumu, which can be enjoyed by all Warlpiri families.  These developments were made possible by the wonderful support of Warlukurlangu Arts Centre under the guidance of Manager Cecilia Alfonso. The Arts Centre (http://www.warlu.com/) continues its strong commitment not only to Warlpiri art but also to supporting other local agencies and projects.

The most pressing issue facing the pool remained a lack of ongoing operational funding. Despite constant negotiation with Government, and the inclusion of the Pool as a priority funding issue in the Local Implementation Plan, no long term funding could be secured. At winter closure at the end of April 2010 it remained unclear if funds could be found to reopen the pool. Thankfully a short-term solution was achieved through a combination of funding from the Yuendumu Community itself (GMAAAC funding) and local NT Member of Parliament Karl Hampton. This funding is critical in ensuring that the pool can open in October 2010, and the Mt Theo Program is extremely grateful to those involved. However long term funding is still required to ensure the ongoing success of the pool.

Yuendumu Pool was supported this year by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs, and private donations.

The other enormous benefit for the Mt Theo Program is the regular, and local, repair and maintenance of the Mt Theo fleet. This regular servicing ensures our cars are kept in much better condition and are not run down as quickly by the harsh local conditions. Moreover the Yuendumu location avoids having to drive to Alice Springs and face the time and financial costs of having a staff member and a car out of community for several days. The Outreach teams time their workshop servicing with program team meetings.

The community, as well as local and Government agencies, also enjoy the benefit of the local service and repair. The workshop enjoys a close working relationship and partnership with the Central Desert Shire Council and would like to especially thank Yuendumu Shire Service Manager Grant Steele and his Operations Manager Dilip Nellikat for all their support across the year.

The Workshop was supported this year by the loyal patronage of the Central Desert Shire, and Yuendumu local agencies and community members. Thank-you!

‘Like a stone’ – Peggy Brown’s story of determination

Peggy Nampijimpa Brown is the woman who conceived and started the Mt Theo Program in 1994.  She has worked on the program ever since, filling various roles including chairperson and outstation supervisor.  Peggy is a stubborn and determined woman.  In the late 1980′s she was a founding member of the Yuendumu Night Patrol, which saw the community’s aunties and grandmothers tackling the problems of grog running and alcohol abuse head on.  Peggy’s colleague ‘Lucy Napaljarri Kennedy’ was awarded an Order of Australia in 1996 for her work on Night Patrol.

Most of Peggy’s work on the Mt Theo Program has been voluntary, yet she is widely recognised as the figurehead of the program.

How It All Started

In 1993 Peggy and her family were living at Mt Theo Outstation, commuting into Yuendumu in their old short wheel-base Land Rover for food and supplies.  When that car eventually broke down, Peggy’s family found themselves stranded in Yuendumu. At this time there were more than seventy teenagers sniffing, and soon this began to affect Peggy’s own kids.

When Peggy is asked: Why did you start the Mt Theo Program?  She will reply:

I was starting because I been worry for my family, I seen all the petrol sniffers, and I was worried for my sons, nephews and grandson. (Who had begun to sniff)

Peggy offered to look after all of Yuendumu’s petrol sniffers at Mt Theo.   What began as a last ditch effort to save her own family from petrol sniffing, quickly turned into a mammoth task that would become Peggy’s life work.

But then Peggy is a pretty unique woman.  As she lists off her family group, Peggy names over a dozen sons and daughters.  Most of these ‘children’ are  actually ‘stray’ kids that Peggy has adopted into her family.  She’s a big woman with a big heart, who over her life has adopted many young people as ‘her children’.

Peggy says in regards to her work

I like it.
I can work always.
I can look after anyone -
the one’s who nobody looks after.
I like the petrol sniffers.
I care about  for petrol sniffers, they are my family
I worry you know, because I love
I love them, I can make them really good, really better
We are trying to help people
I am now starting to make this family bigger, because we are now taking in kids from other communities.

In the early days Yapa (Aboriginal) people used to look after each other
I can stop in one place at Mt Theo
I can sit like a stone
I can wait in this one place for all the petrol sniffers to come, so we can care for them
I do not run away
We stop around Mt Theo
We might teach these young people some things
They might get ideas from early days, from long ago
We care about for young people
They might pass away
We want to make them a little bit strong, healthy ones, give them life
We love young people
That’s why I’ve been working through Yapa
We look after them

Johnny ‘Hooker Creek’ Japangardi Miller

Johnny Japangardi Miller – or ‘Hooker Creek” as he is affectionately known -  is the senior Traditional Owner for Mt Theo. Johnny has dedicated most of the last decade of his life to caring for young petrol sniffiers in his country.

Through his life, Japangardi has travelled many different paths and seen immense changes.  Always the quiet story-teller, Hooker Creek radiates kindness, gentleness and teasing good humour as he shares his world.

Hunter and Gatherer

Johnny spent his early childhood living a traditional nomadic Warlpiri life.  His parents travelled from water soakage to water soakage guided by the Jukurrpa (Dreamtime) law and stories.

‘They knew the country, I know most soakages’ he says, but seems in awe of their deep and intimate interaction with the land.  Japangardi talks about walking along with his parents or being carried on their back as they went about their daily hunting and gathering.  “Yuendumu was nothing then- It was all hunting ground in those days”.

First Contact with Europeans

Japangardi vividly recalls the first time he saw white men while hiding among the hills of Mt Theo.  It was around 1928, during the time of the Coniston Massacre – the last act of the frontier war.  Japangardi and his family were singing up the country to protect them from bullets of the European police who, they had heard, had already killed hundreds of Warlpiri people.

“It was a rough time” Johnny says understatedly, “Kardiya (white people) in the old days were really hard”.

Building Settlements

Johnny’s nickname comes from his importance in the establishment of the settlement “Hooker Creek” now known as Lajamanu community.

In his young days Johnny had a reputation as a hard worker and a ‘lover-boy’.  These two characteristics caused him to be sent away from Yuendumu “in a big red government truck” to build the new settlement at Hooker Creek in 1953.

There, he says “I bin do everything” – building stockyards, an airstrip, tin-sheds, doing stockwork.  Johnny describes how he would wake up at sunrise, spend all day working physically in the desert sun, sometimes having a break for smoke but then “working, working, we didn’t knock off until about seven”  – “If we didn’t do work Kardiya would give us hiding with whip or green sticks.  …Kardiya always pushed us round, we’re friends now… station days were rough days”.

During the Second World War, Hooker Creek drove army trucks as part of Northern Australia’s front line defence.

Stockman and Drover

Many of Johnny’s stories revolve around stockwork. “In my young days Kardiya used to make me jump on wild horse”

Japangardi worked on stations all around Central Australia and spent three and a half years at Adelaide River in the Top-End.  He also drove cattle, many many hundreds of kilometers from Lajamanu NT to Longreach Queensland.

Hooker Creek also worked for Lord Vesty at the infamous Wave Hill stockcamp for many years.  Japangardi walked back to Lajamanu just before the uprising which led to the 1966 Wave Hill walk out – a turning point in the land rights movement – celebrated in the Paul Kelly song ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’.

Mt Theo Program

About twenty years ago, Japangardi decided to move back to be closer to his country at Mt Theo.  He and his four bothers and their families were living at Mt Theo at the inception of the Mt Theo Program.

In 1994, Johnny’s sister-in-law, Peggy Brown, proposed that her and her family, including Johnny, would care for all Yuendumu’s petrol sniffers if they were given support to live at Mt Theo. Here began the Mt Theo Program.

For year after year Johnny was the primary care-taker for petrol sniffers at Mt Theo.  He is a grandfatherly figure to those wild teenagers who would tug at his beard while humbugging for a smoke of his old stockman’s pipe, and asking him to tell them stories of his young days and the dreamtime.

It is the dedication of Johnny Hooker Creek, along with the other members of the Mt Theo team, which has allowed Yuendumu to now be free of petrol sniffing.

While at least 75, almost blind and having achieved an immense feat Johnny is not giving up.   He now works with young people in Yuendumu, going on bush trips, to help them learn more about their country and culture to create more fulfilling lives

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“Mt Theo is to commended for their high standard of operations, commitment to safety and growing a sustained community swimming pool through a trained workforce.
“You really are NT best practice in Remote Pools”
Floss Roberts | Executive Director
Royal Life Saving Society NT Branch

The pool was opened by Jenny Macklin in October 2008. After 5 years of struggling to get the pool built, it was a great day for our community.

Despite this high affirmation from RLSS, two full incident free swimming seasons, visits by federal and territory Ministers applauding the pool, community and clinic conviction that the health of our children is improved, higher school attendance, local young people employed as lifeguards, full landscaping and children’s play equipment (donated by our own Warlukulangu Art Centre) our pool remains unsupported.

Apart from ‘emergency’ funding from FaHCSIA for 6 months operations in January 2010, we have received no government support for running our pool. It is a constant roller-coaster of writing submissions, talking to heads of government departments, and waiting for no response. In South Australia, the Premier’s Department funds all remote pools, but in NT there is no similar process. Many government officials express surprise and support, but no funds. It seems it is always the responsibility of someone else. I can’t find the ‘someone else’.

I am not comfortable asking for private donations for a pool that so clearly meets so many objectives of the Australian and Territory Governments. But to close the pool and wipe out those community benefits is unthinkable.

Our only support has been through occasional private donations, which give us hope that the broader Australian community acknowledges the significant benefits of the pool. These donations give us the impetus to keep lobbying, writing submissions, and hoping that ultimately our government will take responsibility.

Susie Low, CEO.