Farewell, Kevin, and thank you.
A stalwart of Telfer's Community Relations section has left the team.
Kevin Fred was Superintendent Leon van Erp's first choice as his right-hand-man soon after Community Relations was formally established at Telfer in April 2002.
Kevin, a Martu Elder, played a significant role, often as the point-of-reference, as a mentor, and as the ‘middle-man' in negotiations and planning between Newcrest, the Martu, and other Indigenous groups in the Pilbara.
Among the more significant negotiations over the past nine years were those relating to cultural heritage protection along the route of a natural gas pipeline between Port Hedland and Telfer, and conditions under which the mining company could operate and explore within Martu lands.
Kevin also describes his involvement in helping with the establishment of a renal dialysis respite unit at Jigalong; the progress of the Niminjarra Road project; and the development and growth of sport and recreation activities - particularly the Western Desert League - as among his most satisfying contributions. “Telfer can be proud, and I am proud.”
“When I started, I was alone - the first Indigenous person appointed at Telfer,” Kevin recalled. “But, my ancestors come from around here at Telfer, and that made it easier for me, I felt very much at home. Telfer is my grandfather's home.”
“Now, as I look around the site, there are Indigenous workers everywhere. “That makes me feel good, and I think it's a sign of the good job Newcrest has done in keeping to its commitments to the Martu. They have a done a fantastic job.”
Kevin foresees a bright future for younger Martu.
“Nowadays, youngsters understand that they need to maintain their health, they need to learn, to train, and to get a job - and they're doing so now, in much greater numbers than just 10 years ago.
“They see the opportunities and the benefits. Now, they can ‘join the dots' in seeing the bigger picture. That's a very good thing.”
Kevin has enjoyed the friendships he has established with the Community Relations team over the years.
“Leon and Craig (Thompson, Telfer Site Administration Manager) have always been very good to me, and everyone in the unit has always worked together as a team. There's always plenty of laughter and joking.
“And, if you didn't have the ability to laugh in the face of adversity, as it can be here in the desert, you won't last long. We work hard, and we laugh loud.”
Kevin has accepted a role with the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Council, so the CR team expects to continue to see his smiling face occasionally at Telfer.
Pic caption:
Leon and Kevin mark the number of years they have worked together in Telfer’s Community Relations unit.
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