News from Around the Region

On 12 March Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) works crew members participated in traffic control training, which they will use for their everyday road maintenance activities such as road grading, pothole patching, signage installation, etc.

The participants were Cyril Kunoth, Albert Wilson, Geoffrey Wilson and Colin French from Yuendumu and Alan Davis from Anmatjere.

The training was sponsored by Boral Asphalt and was delivered by Civil Train in Alice Springs.

On 17 March more Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) staff members attended a four wheel drive course, after another course run on 17 February. This time there were staff from Community Development Program (CDP), Community Safety Patrol (CSP), Works and Aged Care.

Main photo: Practicing four wheel driving on dirt roads.

Over the four days from 11-14 March there was a constant amount of rainfall in Yuelamu resulting in road closures and vehicles bogged.

“It was astonishing, the speed the water rose on Saturday. Within three hours the Napperby River rose by inches and the Tanami highway had water over the road in multiple locations,” said Tammi Booker, Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Community Services Coordinator in Yuelamu.

On the approach to Yuelamu from the Tanami highway the turnoff was completely covered in water making it only accessible to high clearance four wheel drives into the community.

Every March 8^th is International Women’s Day. Today we are celebrating with an interview with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC), Diane Hood.

What challenges have you faced in your career as a woman? How did you overcome them?

The inherent challenges to women in our society are sexism and unconscious bias against them. It is assumed that women should act in a certain way; nurturing and caring, but at the same time when in a leadership role they are expected to be logical and decisive, which are traditionally seen as male traits. When a female executive doesn’t act the way they are expected to it is hard for them to be seen as an individual with individual strengths and weaknesses.

The Atitjere Local Authority (LA) decided they wanted barbecues in their community – and they got them. Two fixed barbecues were located at sites that the community wanted for family gatherings and social events, and a barbecue trailer is an asset to both Atitjere and the surrounding outstations, as it can be used for a variety of functions ranging from birthdays to funerals and everything in between.

Back in July 2020 the first barbecue was installed at the rear of the Recreation hall by Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC). It included an LED light.

In a report that came out 24 February 2021, the Anmatjere Flexible Aged Care Service (Ti Tree) was given a tick of approval by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

The service, run by Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC), was considered to be compliant with the requirements set out in the Aged Care Quality Standards. These standards are developed by the Australian Government.

“Congratulations to everyone in Aged Care in Ti Tree. This is a fantastic result for Anmatjere Flexible Aged Care,” said Pip Parsonson, Director Community Services at CDRC.

Photo: One of the rooms at the Respite Centre in Ti Tree.

The Imparja Cup 2021 finals took place on Friday 19 February and it came down to the last over in the grand final for the Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Laramba team who almost took out the title.

After playing six games through the rounds and then winning their semi-final, the Laramba team played in the Statewide Super Women’s Community Division Grand Final against the team Ladeez (Alice Springs). Central Desert batted first to make a total of 87. Simona Tilmouth top scored for the Laramba team with 30 runs (forced to retire) and took two wickets. But it was the consistent batting from the Ladeez team with four of the six batters making double figures which saw them take out the title. They won with just six balls to spare. The women displayed great integrity, humour and sense of fair play for the entirety of the competition, and represented the community of Laramba with great pride.

On Tuesday 17 February Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) municipal crews from Anmatjere (Ti Tree), Laramba and Yuelamu attended a four wheel drive training course in Alice Springs.

The attendees were Mack Murphy, Norman Hagan and Cliffy Tommy from Yuelamu; Billy Briscoe and Caesar Tilmouth from Laramba; and Elias Birch Baird from Anmatjere.

A four wheel drive course helps keep drivers safe when on dirt roads and prepares them in case they get bogged.

Photo from left: the instructor, Billy Briscoe (behind), Cliffy Tommy, Caesar Tilmouth, Mack Murphy and Norman Hagan.

Central Desert Regional Desert (CDRC) had four representatives at Northern Territory Cricket’s Community Coaching Course (Level 1) on Wednesday 17 February.

Stephen Royes, Stephen Evans, James Anderson and Jeff Aubert (Youth Sport and Recreation Team Leaders in Engawala, Laramba, Yuelamu and Ti Tree respectively) completed the online component of the course prior to the practical session, which was held at Mona’s Lounge, Traegar Park in Alice Springs.

The Team Leaders will pass on the skills learnt to the Youth, Sport and Recreation Officers in their communities to continue to upskill players in preparation for inter-community tournaments, Imparja Cup, and Youth, Sport and Recreation evening activities.

On Tuesday 9 February, 2021 there was a morning tea held to celebrate the reopening of the Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Nyirripi Childcare Centre and introduce the new Coordinator Tyler Tafstad.

The morning was attended by six children and fifteen adults who gave a warm welcome to Tyler. Other local service providers attended to show their support for the centre reopening.  Morning Tea and children’s activities were the focus and the event was enjoyed by all who attended.