Captain Bert Madigan Park in Port Hedland has recently been transformed into an attractive spot for views of the
harbour, to rest and contemplate, or enjoy a barbec
ue following contributions to the beautification project by Newcrest and BHP Billiton.

Report by Ben Bryant, Telfer Community Relations Officer

Walls in Telfer's Community Relations office are covered with images of Indigenous workers who have been on-site for long periods, as either employees of Newcrest, or working for the Company's General Services contractor, Pilbara Logistics. Those framed photographs are symbolic tributes to personal challenges faced, and conquered.
My role is to assist Indigenous people, and specifically Martu, find employment, and to provide support for the various challenges they may face prior to employment, whilst employed, and post-employment.
The task includes identifying potential roles, and indentifying candidates to fill those roles.
Some of the challenges facing potential Indigenous employees are of a nature that many of us may take for granted. Simply obtaining birth certificates, driver's licences, police clearances, medical records and similar official documents can be prolonged, arduous and cumbersome tasks.
The tyranny of distance is a common theme. Many of our Martu employees come from regional communities, which are without services such as a post office, police station or doctor.
For example, attending a medical appointment - a prerequisite to securing employment at Telfer - can often mean a drive of several hours to get to a clinic.
Additionally, keeping in regular contact with some potential employees can be difficult, as many homes are without phone lines or mobile reception.
Further challenges that some Martu employees and mine site managers can face include trying to balance Martu cultural traditions and assumptions, such as the need to attend funerals in various parts of the State, with the expectations and requirements of the job.
However, Culture and Work issues can be resolved with the right amount of communication between both parties, and it is an area where Community Relations staff spend much time providing assistance.
It is fair to say that many Martu employees initially struggle with the amount of communication required by most mine site departments, as it is not a normal part of life for many Martu people.
Nevertheless, Telfer is fortunate to have many Indigenous workers who have learned excellent communication skills, and it is no coincidence that they have become successful and valued employees. Communication is a two-way street, and many of Telfer's supervisors and managers have also learned valuable skills, which have assisted them in better understanding specific Martu challenges, and creating successful teams.
Because we have Indigenous workers residing in so many different locations, finding consistent and adequate travel arrangements can cause confusion and frustration. However, the energy spent is worthwhile, as it helps give those people who live in the most remote locations in WA a chance to enhance their lives through employment opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Telfer has many successful Martu employees, working in most areas around Telfer.
Some, like Kevin Fred, have worked for Newcrest for seven years. Others, like Mark Skinner, have gone from strength to strength, working initially as a gardener for ESS and then being recommended by Keith Buckle and his ESS colleagues to other duties as a Pit Technician. While Mark's ultimate goal is to drive trucks in the Open Pit, he is certainly growing in confidence and gaining respect from his fellow workers around Telfer.
Bill Williams, Freddy Wilridge and Roy Juboy have worked for Pilbara Logistics for several years and continue to work hard and well in and around Telfer. Bruce Edgar has been working in the warehouse for four years and is a well-respected employee. Clive Souey has been driving trucks in Telfer for three years and continues to assist newer Indigenous drivers such as Mary Spinks, Sharon Rogers and Karleen Skinner, in learning and more easily settling into the mine lifestyle.
We don't always succeed. But, when success comes, everyone - the Martu, and their Telfer bosses - feels proud of their role amidst the challenges: in greeting, meeting and beating them.

Ben Bryant with members of the team from Pilbara Logistics Pty Ltd, the General Services contractor at the Telfer mine
site, a Company that is committed to employing Indigenous workers whenever possible.

Driver safety is, of course, of paramount importance whenever we take to the roads in our vehicles, and no less so in a
potentially hazardous environment such as a mine site. Additionally, having a driver's licence is often a pre-requisite
to actually obtaining employment.
For those reasons, Telfer's on-site Indigenous Training Program enlisted the services of specialist driver training
specialists Frank Parker and Graham Kennedy to assist course participants in developing their awareness of road traffic
rules, foreseeing possibly dangerous situations on the road, and how to avoid them. The participants graduated with
flying colours, adding more credentials to their capabilities and improving their employment opportunities.

From left: Clinton Wongawol, Anthony Bullen, Warrick Long, Maitland Jeffries, Murphy Williams, Harley Ward with
instructor Graham Kennedy.

WHEN TIMING IS CRITICAL, and the doors need to open, Supervisor Lenny Jackamarra (left) holds the key.
Lenny is entrusted with ensuring trucks arriving at Newcrest's Port Hedland storage facility, each carrying up to 110
tonnes of copper concentrate, are unloaded and their valuable cargo is graded and stockpiled correctly prior to shipping
to markets overseas.
Lenny has worked at the facility for the past five years, and manages a 10-person mainly-Indigenous team responsible for
unloading up to 12 trucks and stockpiling 1300 tonnes of product in a 24-hour period with minimum fuss.
About 18 ships arrive at the port each year to collect and deliver some 180,000 tonnes of copper concentrate to
Newcrest's clients in various parts of the world. It normally takes about 18 hours to load each ship with about 10,500
tonnes from two hoppers inside the facility.
"I enjoy the work, age-wise it suits me," said 66-year-old Lenny. "The main challenge is in scheduling the deliveries
and stockpiling the product efficiently, so that we don't keep the trucks waiting too long before they can unload and
head back to Telfer."

The Annual General Meeting of the Martu communities is an important occasion for discussion on important issues and
planning the way ahead, as well as an opportunity to catch up with relatives and friends, and for the kids to play.
Dozens of families make the journey to favoured and often remote locations throughout the Pilbara region, and Telfer's
Community Relations team supports the event with practical assistance such as supplying food and provisions, and medical
support where needed.

Kids play while adults discuss topical issues.

Cultural Awareness Program
Martu Elder Kevin Fred is videotaped welcoming viewers to Country as part of an updated and expanded Cultural Awareness
Program that will be presented for the first time in the new year to employees and contractors at Newcrest's Telfer Gold
Mine.
The program is integral to Newcrest's commitment to increasing awareness amongst the mine's workforce of Martu culture,
heritage and traditions, and is seen as a key element in enhancing respect and harmony between the workers and the
mine's nearest Indigenous neighbours.

Pilbara Logistics employee Freddie Wilridge was a focus of media attention during a whirlwind tour of the Telfer mine
site as part of a tour organised with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy.

The media were interested in Newcrest's Community Relations initiatives in assisting the Martu pursue enhanced
opportunities in health, sport, education, training and employment.

Freddie was one of several Martu workers on-hand to describe their experiences.

CHRISTMAS FATHER continues to spread his wings.

For the third consecutive year, Santa (with the assistance of his alter ego Billy Cadigan) flew in to the Martu
communities of Jigalong, Kunawaritji and Punmu to deliver gifts to the local school children just before they broke up
for the summer holidays.

Santa also later visited Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cotton Creek and Warralong.

New Telfer boss Jason Grace and site Administration Manager Craig Thompson joined Community Relations Superintendent
Leon van Erp in assisting Santa hand out the presents to the excited and appreciative children.

The project is a major logistics exercise, with Karen Mickle and her mother Glory working for several weeks prior to the
tour in seeking support from various commercial outlets and sporting organisations in providing items at discounted
prices to make the tour possible; and preparing some 660 sets of goodies into various age groups suitable for girls and
boys.

Their efforts certainly were rewarded, with hundreds of beaming faces on show during Santa's visits. Along with the
gifts, the plane carries a veritable feast of wholesome foods, which are distributed to the children at lunch to
complete a happy day for everyone involved.

Since March last year, Newcrest has facilitated three meetings which have brought together sport and recreation experts
from around the State, Martu community leaders, Western Desert community schools, community coordinators and other
organisations operating in and around the region.
The aim - to develop a coordinated and cooperative approach to the delivery of sport and recreation programs for local
Indigenous communities.
The meetings were facilitated by Newcrest and the Department of Sport and Recreation’s Indigenous Sports Development
Officer, Tristen Walker, and Garnduwa Directors Geoff Davis and Marmingee Hand. Garnduwa is arguably Australia’s most
successful Indigenous sports program and organisation.
The meetings gave everyone within the region the opportunity to discuss the issues and boundaries that are slowing and,
in many cases, stopping improvements in health and education within the Western Desert.
All participants agreed that through combining resources, much greater outcomes could be achieved for all stakeholders.
Achievable solutions to the identified issues, and possible future relationships, were discussed.
A plan of attack was agreed upon. The plan has been endorsed by the Martu, who are looking forward to having happier and
healthier communities.
The Next Step.   An outcome from the 6-month process is that a Western Desert Sport and Recreation committee will be
formed, comprising Martu leaders from each of the Western Desert communities: Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji,
Kiwirrkurra, Warralong, Jigalong and Nullagine.
The committee will continue the momentum into the future by providing feedback and working with all supporting health,
education, sport and recreation organisations to help guide a newly-coordinated program in the most beneficial direction
for the Martu and the Western Desert.


Geoff Davis facilitates a meeting of key stakeholders at Telfer designed to identify issues and find a way forward to
help improve
Martu health and wellness through sport and recreation.

Planning session underway for the formation of the Martu Sport and Recreation Committee.

Martu Elder Bobby Roberts has come Home. Bobby’s inner-joy and contentment shone brightly through his dark, glistening eyes as he completed his initial treatment in the new Respite Renal Dialysis and Dental Centre at Jigalong.

Bobby (55), Patricia Fry and Leslie Watson were the first patients to return to Country for treatment at the centre, which the Governor of WA, Dr Ken Michael AC, officially opened on May 12 2009.

Bobby’s daughter and grandchildren were on hand to walk with him, whistling and humming, as he approached the centre.

“I’m excited, very happy, and I feel different,” said Bobby after his procedure, one he has undertaken three times a week for the past dozen years. “I’m glad to be home, and my family are very happy to have me here amongst them.

“Fred (Ordynski) has been very good, he’s one of the best blokes I’ve met, and we’ve become very good friends.”

Fred Ordynski was previously Manager of Technical Services for Dialysis at Royal Perth Hospital and is now Managing Director of Dialysystems Pty Ltd.

He was the man Telfer’s Community Relations Superintendent Leon van Erp enlisted about five years previously to help Newcrest progress planning for a respite dialysis facility in the Jigalong community.

Newcrest’s involvement followed an appeal from the Martu Consultative Committee to help establish such a facility.

Fred Ordynski appeared equally elated at the end of the first two-week dialysis session at the centre.

“For years we were told we couldn’t do it,” Fred recalled.

“Well, look around us here today. We’ve done it. Everything’s worked well and the patients are over-joyed.

“Personally, I feel elated when I look around this room and see it filled with patients who are relaxed and blossoming - this is rehabilitation in its truest sense,” Fred said.

Patricia Fry (62), a dialysis patient since 1998, echoed and reflected the sentiments being expressed this day.

“It’s good to be here,” Patricia said.

“I grew up in Jigalong, this is my home. I can now visit my daughter, family and friends - they’re pleased to see me, and I feel free.

“The only sad thing is that I’ll have to go back to Perth,” she said.

It’s a shared emotion. While Patricia was Perth-bound after this initial dialysis session at Jigalong, Bobby and Leslie Watson were headed for Port Hedland to continue their regular treatment regimes.

Until now, the Port Hedland Hospital housed the only facility in the Pilbara region for patients in need of haemodialysis.

There is insufficient funding currently available to maintain a full-time dialysis and dental facility at Jigalong.

However, a second two-week dialysis session was conducted in February this year.

The Jigalong Dialysis and Dental Centre is expected to open four times a year until mid-2012, when its future will be reviewed.

There appears to be no shortage of clientele. Fred Ordynski expects three more candidates will request the service before long.

The next step, according to Leon van Erp, is to introduce regular dental treatment at the centre for Jigalong residents.

“We have got a fair amount of work to do before we can open the dental clinic but, hopefully, we will be able to offer the service in the first half of 2010,” Leon said.

The Jigalong dialysis project had taken about five years to become a reality.

On receiving their land rights, the Martu and Newcrest Mining Limited established a Consultative Committee to investigate ways they could cooperate for their mutual benefit.

The Martu asked Newcrest to assist them in establishing a dialysis program in their homelands to enable their people who were afflicted with renal disease to return home, at least periodically, to spend time with their families, and to fulfill their cultural commitments.

Broad support

In addition to Newcrest’s leadership role, many organisations also helped create the reality through financial or associated support.

They included Jigalong Community Incorporated, LotteryWest, BHP Billiton, the Pilbara Area Consultative Committee in partnership with the Federal Department for Health and Ageing, Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation, Dialysystems, and the medical staff of the Jigalong Clinic.

Bobby Roberts returns to Country, accompanied by some family members.