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.