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.