The Central Desert Shire Council was proud to be involved in the recent Yuendumu Career Expo Evening held on 2nd of May. The idea for this community event arose from a meeting of the Yuendumu Training Network, a group of local and ‘outside’ agencies which offer education, training and employment to local people.

The Expo was proudly supported by community members, all local community organizations and service providers who all contributed to make it such a success. Hundreds of community members were present at the Community Basketball Court which was the venue for the night. Locals and organisers worked together, making use of WYDAC’s industrial- sized kitchen to prepare and serve a variety of healthy and delicious food.

The event commenced after a joint Welcome by Community Leaders & Elders with an MC for the night providing a sense of fun and enabling community participation via mock interviews and games.  Nearly 25 local and outside agencies placed their stalls which provided the opportunity for local people to access training and employment information which may not have been otherwise so easily accessed.

During the expo, Central Desert Shire displaced and distributed the pamphlets with the jobs info and newsletter. The CDEP, Postal Services, Night Patrol, Yuendumu Mediation and Family Violence Program, Yuendumu Playgroup and ‘Kurdu Kurdu Kurlungu’ Child Centre were incorporated within the Council stall. The Shire also positioned a grader, truck, front end loader and other big machinery equipment outside of the Expo. Face painting, Obsticle course and children’s activities were supplied by the local Child Care Centre staff making it a real family event. The free Central Desert Shire Council show bags were a real hit!

The evening was also the Graduation/Recognition Ceremony for students of the BRECW (Building the Remote Early Childhood Workforce) Project. Graduates were from Certificate 1 , 2 & 3 in Children’s Services as well as Certificate 3 in Educational Support and Early Childhood Teaching. Graduates from Batchelor Institute were wearing Graduation gowns as they were presented with their Certificates which added excitement and colour to the ceremony. Indigenous Graduates stood up strong on stage and spoke about working for the Council and studying with BIITE. “I really like working for childcare and I’m proud for my study” Violet Marshall, Yuendumu Childcare worker (pictured) told the assembled crowd.

The local Yuendumu band closed the night with great energy and it was wonderful to see the level of community connection provided through music, dance and fun.

Children, young men and women, parents, elders, community members, agencies and people from community organizations were relaxed, chatting and enjoying the night.  It really was a happy and joyful occasion for the whole community. The Expo concluded around 8:30 pm but the band rocked the crowd till Late in the evening.

It was another memorable Night for everyone who came along after the last Christmas Concert and Coniston Movie night at Yuendumu.

“It was a great event and day,” said Tommy Watson one of the elders.

The Council is extremely pleased to be named a RJCP Provider. The RJCP (Remote Jobs in Communities Program) is an Australian Government initiative which introduces significant reforms to employment, participation and community development services in remote Australia to help more people get into jobs and participate in their communities and to better meet the labour needs of employers.  From 1 July 2013, Job Services Australia, the Disability Employment Service, the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program and the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) will transition to the new Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP).

One of the main objectives of the RJCP program is to promote better functioning communities through community development and participation, economic development and strengthening community capacity. These objectives are clearly aligned with those of Local Government and the Central Desert Shire Council is pleased to be able to build on our strong local connections to integrate with the RJCP. As the major employer within the region, with over 85% Indigenous employment on communities, CDSC has a strong track record and looks forward to strengthening local employment and supporting community aspirations.

For more information on the Remote Jobs in Communities Program please refer to the DEEWR website.