Lloyd Williams guided the fork lift with the deft touch of an experienced old hand. Steve Dershow positioned his truck in just the right place to accept the load with minimal fuss. The two men knew what they, and each other, were doing. They’d worked together at the Store for several weeks, and clearly worked well together. At the Mill, Processing Plant Logistics Coordinator Sam Booth outlined the day’s tasks to Warren Nardi on the bobcat.

Adrian Bullen and Augustine Benal were assigned general labouring duties ahead of a plant inspection the following day. In the Village, Bianca Councillor was keeping one of the laundries spotlessly clean, one of her regular duties as an employee of catering and hospitality services contractor, ESS. Nearby, Dolores French was settling the ruffled quilt down neatly on the newlymade bed as she completed tidying another room to welcome another resident at the end of the shift.

Later that day, Dolores would catch up once again with her husband, Kevin, Newcrest’s Community Relations Martu Liaison Officer, who was driving from Port Hedland having collected a crew returning after a week’s break to resume their duties. In the Crib Room, Daniel Toby and Joe Coppin were preparing to jump into the driver’s seat of two exceptionally big vehicles at the mine site – the 240-tonne load capacity Heavy Rig Cat793C’s. Next morning presented something completely different for Warren and Adrian...

Dazzling opportunity

Warren Nardi was impressed. The previous day he was sitting at the controls, driving a bobcat. Now, he was sitting at the controls, but not driving, at the heart of one of the world’s most modern gold mining mill’s Control Room, where banks of dazzling graphics-and-information-laden computer screens presented the experienced operators with a wealth of instant feedback on the status of the gold production process. Concentrator Production Supervisor Chris Power likened the tasks at hand to those of air traffic controllers, and certainly there appeared to be no fewer screens to monitor and buttons to push. “It involves intense mental work, dealing simultaneously with many operators and sections of the plant,” Chris said. “We often have up to a dozen people all calling for guidance and assistance at the same time.”

While Chris believes that not everyone is suitable for the job, he did not discount the possibility that Warren, or other Indigenous people could one day ‘step up to the plate.’ “We have a well-based training package available and prospective operators undertake a three-month training program which includes completion of a competency assessment workbook. “Warren, and others, have the opportunity to learn and all the support he needs is here. All he needs to do is ask questions.” Warren was listening and thinking. He completed Year 12, and is undaunted by the prospect of more study. “More study doesn’t scare me,” he said. “You’ve got to grab an opportunity when it’s there. And it’s good to know there’s so much support for me if I decide to give it a go. It would be a great job.”

Career gets a Big lift

Yesterday, Adrian Bullen was happily working around the plant, carrying out general labouring duties. Today, he was honing his skills at the controls of an Omega forklift, under the guidance of Ore Processing Safety and Training Coordinator, Dave Beros. The Omega is not your average forklift. It can lift items up to 50 tonnes, and that was about the weight Adrian had aboard as he moved the machine carefully around the storage area. Dave was pleased with progress. “Adrian is steady,” he said. “He thinks before he acts, and that’s a good sign. He’s got good skills, and he is very enthusiastic.” For Adrian, and Warren, Lloyd, Steve, Daniel, Joe, Bianca, Dolores, and others to follow, who knows what new opportunities tomorrow brings. Time will tell.

Wise counsel

A developing sense of pride is an ironic trait in an unassuming character. But it is a quality quietly growing within Newcrest’s softlyspoken Martu Liaison Officer, 46-year-old Kevin Fred. “I am enjoying everything that I do,” Kevin said. “My job makes me feel proud because I am doing good things in helping my people get work.” Kevin’s colleagues Leon van Erp and Rod Anthony were quick to expand on his role. “He helps us enormously as an interpreter, because the language barriers can be very difficult to overcome on occasions,” said Rod, who has travelled extensively to Aboriginal communities throughout the region with Kevin by his side as they set about developing the Skills Register. “He has helped us in identifying prospective employees, and in mentoring students who have sought out his knowledge and counsel.” Kevin’s expertise has also been sought in identifying sites of significant cultural heritage in the area immediately surrounding Telfer. He should know. His own historical links to this land extend to his great-great-grandfather. “Kevin is a wonderful man and an important member of this team,” said Leon. “We simply could not have achieved as much without him. “Kevin’s knowledge of the culture, his wisdom, reliability and honesty are crucial to the role.”

Craig keeps eye on building positive relationships

Ensuring everything ‘ticks like clockwork’ is the simplified job description Craig Thompson assigns to his role as Site Administration Manager at Telfer. And, by the look of things, everything’s pretty much on time. Some 1500 people are currently employed at Telfer, working either for Newcrest or its various contractors. About 30 per cent of the workforce is on leave at any one time. Craig, who reports directly to the General Manager of Operations, Marco Zolezzi, shoulders responsibility for the efficient administration of the Telfer site, including the smooth running of the Village and Aviation Services, Materials Supply and Logistics, Contractor Management, and Community Relations, to which Craig attaches a high degree of importance.

“We have made several commitments to the Aboriginal communities through our agreements with them, and we are intent on honouring all of them,” Craig said, “and there are additional agreements to be made in the future, which will be significant for all parties involved. “The Martu people, whose lands the Telfer operations traverse, recognise training and employment opportunities, particularly for the younger members of their community, as important for their future well-being. “We want to support them.”

General Services Contract

An important step in the process will be awarding of the first General Services Contract for the Telfer site, probably in June. Under the terms of the contract the successful contractor will be required to train and employ as many Martu as is reasonable possible. Craig said the Company’s Community Relations activities, under the guidance of Leon van Erp, were aimed principally at ensuring prospective employees were identified and encouraged to take the next necessary steps toward achieving employment. Community Relations staff were developing a Skills Register with the cooperation of external agencies, particularly the South Hedland-based Bloodwood Tree Association, to identify men and women who were already skilled, those who required certain skills, and to then provide assistance and support in establishing training programs to meet those needs. “We are receiving positive feedback through our Consultative Committee which comprises Martu and Newcrest representatives,” Craig said. “Together we are looking at the training and employment issues and opportunities, and there is a strong cooperative feeling between us. “We have built very strong and positive relationships with the Martu and other communities in and around Port Hedland, and I believe that’s because they recognise we are sincerely committed to our responsibilities. “Telfer is going to be here for a long time and it is important we make a valuable contribution to the region and our neighbours.”