Martu elder Kevin Fred and business development consultant Richard Taylor have completed an initial investigation into the viability of establishing a seed collection and weed eradication enterprise that could create long-term employment opportunities for Martu people throughout the Pilbara.

The plan is to establish a business, to be owned and operated by local Indigenous people, focussed on collecting native plant seeds from around the Telfer mine site, processing and storing the plant material to yield clean seed, and offering the seed to Newcrest for use in the company’s long-term mine rehabilitation program. In addition, Newcrest also wants to eradicate introduced weeds from around the mine site, so the proposed business may also be able to provide an effective weed spraying service. “If this proposed business is able to get off the ground, there will also be opportunities to broaden the scope of its activities to provide similar services to other mine sites in the area and to local Shires,” said Richard who, with Kevin, recently inspected several plants species around Warralong. “But, I must emphasise, there is still much planning and preparation to be done before the business can proceed,” Richard said.“The local people must grasp hold of this opportunity and really want it to succeed.

It will require a commitment to regular work, and the enthusiasm necessary to provide a high quality service. “In return, people employed in the business can expect to be trained by experts in seed collection and weed spraying, and they will have the satisfaction of knowing they will be building a future for their young people,” Richard said. And, that comment brought a broad smile to Kevin Fred’s face. “I know many of our women would love being involved in this work,” Kevin said. “We can also involve our young people in training and working in the field.” Richard offered his services to Indigenous Community Volunteers, and it was through that organisation he was approached by the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation. Our covermontage salutes some of the dozens of men and women who have undertaken appropriate training and succeeded in gaining employment at Telfer as Newcrest employees, or for some of the company’s contractors; and some of those who have assisted them in progressing their career opportunities during the past few years. The work continues, to provide further employment and training programs for the many more who will follow. Kevin Fred (left) and Richard Taylor inspect a plant and (inset) seed near the Telfer mine.