Tennant Creek Working in Partnership
with Community, Industry, Business and Government
Workshop Report
Tennant Creek – Our Business
Jurnkurraku Anyinginyi business
© Department
of Industry
GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601
December 2014
Contents
1.
Executive summary ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.
Working in Partnership introduction .............................................................................................. 4
3.
Tennant Creek workshop ................................................................................................................ 4
4.
Consultation process....................................................................................................................... 5
5.
Purpose of this report ..................................................................................................................... 5
6.
Stakeholders ................................................................................................................................... 6
7.
Day 1 workshop overview ............................................................................................................... 6
8.
Presentations .................................................................................................................................. 7
9.
Day 2 workshop overview ............................................................................................................. 15
10.
Evaluation ................................................................................................................................. 21
11.
Reflections................................................................................................................................. 21
12.
Workshop Summary and Close ................................................................................................. 22
13.
Appendix A – Workshop Agenda .............................................................................................. 23
14.
Appendix B – Workshop Participants........................................................................................ 26
15.
Appendix C – Workshop Idea Matrix ........................................................................................ 29
1. Executive summary
The Tennant Creek Working in Partnership (WIP) workshop (the workshop) was held at the Battery
Hill Mining Complex in Tennant Creek over 15 and 16 April 2014. The workshop was the culmination
of several periods of consultation since October 2013. The theme for the workshop was:
Tennant Creek – Our Business / Jurnkurraku Anyinginyi Business
The workshop attracted over 40 participants representing local Aboriginal communities and
organisations, mining companies, small and medium businesses, education and training service
providers and the three levels of government.
The intent of the workshop, reflecting on the broader WIP initiative, was to create further
opportunities to contribute to sustained employment for local Aboriginal people in mining, tourism
and related industries while fostering new viable enterprises. It provides an opportunity to develop a
generosity of spirit and intent to identify positive outcomes.
The workshop also provided participants with a real opportunity to shape an agreed plan of action
for engagement. This should improve Aboriginal training pathways, employment opportunities and
business development outcomes in the Barkly region and beyond. Just as important is the stimulus
the workshop provided for various regional plans and existing micro businesses in and around
Tennant Creek and other communities in the Barkly.
Participants agreed that that range of presentations provided a good scope of issues impacting on
economic development and increased business and employment opportunities in the region. It was
agreed that presentations would be made available on the department’s website for reference.
The workshop provided a platform for individuals and businesses to build strong relationships and
business networks. These connections will ideally develop into enduring, mutually beneficial
relationships that form a driver for individual and business development.
It is expected that the Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC) will continue to work
closely with community and government to ensure that outcomes can be reached.
The key challenge for the success of this workshop is that the community support the
implementation of the agreed outcomes and to ensure that those responsible for bringing them to
completion are held to account.
2. Working in Partnership introduction
The Working in Partnership (WIP) – the Mining Industry and Indigenous Communities Program was
launched by the Australian Government on 3 August 2001. The initiative is administered by the
Department of Industry and seeks to promote long term partnerships between Aboriginal
communities and the exploration and mining industry.
In addition to promoting long term relationships, the initiative supports and encourages ongoing
cultural change between the exploration and mining industry and Aboriginal communities across
Australia. It builds on relevant research which has been conducted in relation to sustainable mining
practices. More information can be accessed at:
http://www.industry.gov.au/resource/Programs/WorkingInPartnership/Pages/default.aspx
The initiative has included a series of regionally based workshops in areas of mining interest
throughout Australia. All workshops have served to bring together interested parties in significant
regional centres to discuss local issues to achieve local employment outcomes for Aboriginal
communities and businesses.
3. Tennant Creek workshop
The ‘Tennant Creek – Our Business / Jurnkurraku Anyinginyi Business’ workshop was conducted over
15 and 16 April 2014 at the Battery Hill Mining Complex, Tennant Creek, on Warramungu country, in
the Northern Territory.
More than 40 participants attended the workshop over two days, information on participants can be
seen at Appendix B.
The workshop aimed to provide a neutral environment in which all stakeholders could meet to
discuss challenges and issues and consider regional specific solutions relevant to the development of
partnered approach across the Barkly.
Participants were encouraged to:


Identify with other stakeholders to gain a better understanding of their respective issues
and to better appreciate their aspirations and priorities.
Identify employment, cooperative and microbusiness opportunities in the region.
Like previous workshops in the series, this workshop was designed to create opportunities for
regional stakeholders to contribute to discussions relevant to sustained employment and business
enterprise development for local aboriginal people in mining, tourism and related industries across
the Barkly region.
4. Consultation process
Toward the latter part of 2013 the WIP coordinator, assisted by local resident and training
consultant, Mr Elliott McAdam and Minerals Council of Australia central desert coordinator, Mr
Martin Glass, consulted with local individuals, peak bodies, businesses and organisations around the
Barkly. Due to unforeseen circumstances within the community the scheduled November workshop
was postponed until mid-2014.
Consultations continued into 2014 with departmental staff and Indigenous Consulting Group
facilitator, Brett Barlee.
Extensive consultation was undertaken with a broad cross section of industry, government and
community stakeholder groups across the Barkly. These meetings were held between October 2013
and March 2014.
Following an unforseen event delaying the publication of the workshop report the department
conducted one further consultation round in August 2014 to meet with some key stakeholders. This
consultation was used to ensure that the report would include all key outcomes from the workshop
but in addition would include reflections from the Tennant Creek and Barkly region community.
The department would like to acknowledge the contributions of Elliott McAdam and Martin Glass to
its 2013 consultations and to Brett Barlee for the contributions made to the 2014 consultations,
workshop and follow up consultation.
The Barkly region covers more than 300,000 square kilometres (21 per cent of the NT) and has the
lowest population density in the NT. Tennant Creek is situated on the Stuart Highway approximately
1,000 kilometres south of Darwin and 500 kilometres north of Alice Springs.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 20123570 people live in Tennant Creek with a
total of 6,659 people in the greater Barkly region.
Of this number in the Barkly 69 per cent are Aboriginal peoples. Aboriginal people have lived in the
Barkly region for over 40,000 years. Around nine Aboriginal groups call the area home, including the
Warumungu, Warlpiri, Kaytetye and Alyawarra peoples. Tennant Creek is a social, cultural and
business centre for many Aboriginal people from various language groups.
5. Purpose of this report
This report provides an overview of the Tennant Creek WIP workshop and includes a summary of
presentations, potential opportunities to be exercised and reflections.
This report outlines two days of activities and discussions, together with a program of actions to be
actioned by participants. Held at the iconic Battery Hill Mining Complex the first day was opened by
a traditional welcome to country. This was followed by a series of presentations by mining and other
companies, training and tourism bodies and operators, local government and other agencies active
in the region.
6. Stakeholders
Figure 1. Tenant creek Economic development eco system
7. Day 1 workshop overview
There were four rounds of consultations conducted with the Tennant Creek and the Barkly region
stakeholders in the lead up to the workshop. Throughout these consultations it became apparent
that the concept of the workshop should evolve around two key phases - collaborative growth and
collective impact.
The consensus amongst stakeholders was that the workshop should aim to produce a range of
concrete initiatives that would generate economic and/or social benefit for the participants over the
short to medium term of 1-3 years. This benefit could be in the form of new business and
community initiatives or through strategies, plans and structures necessary to build the foundations
for economic and community benefit or both.
On day one Presenters were asked to focus on collaborative growth opportunities and ways of
developing collective approaches of generating this growth in their presentations. They were also
asked to identify the current challenges to achieving this growth and identify some of the ways they
are meeting these challenges.
The audience was asked to evaluate the presentations on a set of criteria designed to help the
listener to recognise and/or listen for opportunities that may exist either in the presentation or as a
result of the presentation. The purpose of this was to assist participants during day 2 in their role of
developing their own initiatives. The criteria used by the group in evaluating the presentations were
as follows:
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Would the idea be of benefit to the communities of the Barkly?
Could it create a job?
Could it create a business?
Could it enable an existing business?
Could it tap into an existing market?
Could it create a new market?
Could it be done in partnership with an existing business or enterprise?
8. Presentations
The following represents a brief summary of collective reflections and ideas based on the
presentations and discussions during the workshop.
The presentations will be available on the department’s website for a period until June 2015 for
stakeholders to view.
Session one – The exploration and mining industry
Presenter: Mr Paul McHugh
Company: OM Manganese Ltd
Opportunities:
 Future opportunities for local businesses to tender for small to medium scale
contracts.
 Opportunities were identified to add value to the OM Manganese supply chain
with services such as civil construction, revegetation, fencing and restoration to
the mine site.
 Potential long term opportunities for employment including six trainees
ensuring onsite training, mentoring programs and on site living for block
periods.
Challenges:
 There is an absence of work ready trainees and a shortage of trainee positions
available in an operation of our size.
 In the absence of work ready trainees the mine will need to continue to import
skilled labour from outside the region.
 Working a roster can create a sense of community isolation.
Presenter: Mr Brian Fowler
Company: Arafura Resources Limited
Opportunities:
 The mine will create regional opportunities and business development through
shared infrastructure with nearby communities.
 Sponsorship of community programs and initiatives when in operation.
 Business opportunities through supporting the project including logistics,
suppliers and services.
 Priority to Aboriginal and local community employment and training.
Challenges:
 Barrier to employment and identified training needs include:
 Life skills training required ensuring potential employers commitment and
work ethic.
 All potential employees will be put through rigorous and thorough
candidate selection process.
 People have expectations of where they want to work but the industry
cannot always cater for these wants.
 Employees must have champions and mentors to ensure a good pathway to
success.
Session two – regional industry and arts
Presenter: Ms Jo Turner and Ms Ashlee Murphy
Company: National Indigenous Training Academy
Opportunities:
 The Indigenous Traineeship Program offers 100 certificate 2 & 3 traineeship
positions at Yulara each year, with trainees coming from around Australia to
live, work and learn.
 Indigenous Land Corporation partners work closely to provide all aspects of a
12 month residential Traineeship environment – formal classroom training,
lifestyle, and on the job learning in the workplace.
 Various position available in back of house (housekeeping/cleaning,
landscaping, maintenance, kitchen) and front of house (retail, food & beverage,
guest activities, receptionist, business administration).
 Mentoring and buddying up opportunities with fellow trainees and graduates.
Challenges:


Presenter: Mr John Di Maria
Company: Tourism NT
Opportunities:
 Tourism NT is looking to enhance visitor servicing and experience development
opportunities including:
 High-quality visitor experience gateways that embrace new technologies
 Research and programs to support Asian market development.
 Build cross-industry alliances to drive experience development
 Encourage new immersive experiences and compatible commercial
development in Parks.
 Encourage Indigenous Tourism Experiences to capitalise on new market
opportunities
 Increase Indigenous cultural representation in the delivery of experiences.
Challenges:
 Need to ensure adequate and appropriate marketing is undertaken for the
whole tourism experience for visitors to the NT.
 Total domestic visitors to the NT down 13% for 2013, compared to the previous
year.

Total domestic expenditure for the NT down 14% for 2013, compared to
previous year.
Presenter: Mr Alan Murn and Ms Kathy Burns
Company: Barkly Regional Arts
Opportunities:
 The Desert Harmony Festival is 100% community owned and 50 % of
production and materials were sourced from Tennant Creek and the Barkly.
 The festival brought in 105 paid artists over 10 days in 2013 spending approx.
$235 each in the community on accommodation, meals, fuel and incidentals.
 A 20% increase in interstate media companies profiling the festival shows the
positive development that is occurring in the region due to the festival.
 The festival provides the community with tailored training and employment
opportunities which could lead to full time employment in a particular industry.
 The festival is one of the few events that has an impact on tourism numbers in
Tennant Creek and the Barkly.
Challenges:
 Barkly Regional Arts needs ‘manpower’ including volunteers and paid
employees during the months leading up to and during the festival
 The Tennant Creek and Barkly region will need to think about how they can add
value to the festival and take ownership of the festival to ensure its longevity.
Presenter: Ms Kate Foran
Company: Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre
Opportunities:
 There are opportunities through collaboration with tourism and the arts to
offer tourists and visitors a full cultural experience showcasing the region.
 Opportunity to grow the business through improved marketing and signage
which can be done collaboratively.
 Employment opportunities for local Aboriginal people wanting to work in
Indigenous tourism and eco-tourism on country.
 The Nyinkka Nyunyu Centre could act as a feeder for tourism to the town.
Challenges:
 The community needs to work collaboratively to remove the apathy that
surrounds the town.
Session three - Pre-employment education, training and recruitment
Presenter: Mr Alf Leonardi
Company: Department of Education
Opportunities:
 Employment pathways model – provides clear pathway from school to job
 Year 7 and 8 (excursions to workplaces)
 Year 9 (VET certificate, general workplace skills)
 Year 10, 11, 12 (specialisation based on vocational interests). Hard skills
training incorporated e.g. white card, drivers licence, work at heights, barista.
School based apprenticeships and traineeships.
Challenges
 Identifying suitable workplaces
 Creating workplace partnerships
 Developing learning contracts in partnership with employers/ employer groups
 Need to develop a mechanism to enable secondary school teachers to work
with employers to identify economic value to the workplace.
Presenter: Mr Steve Bowker
Company: Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Opportunities:
 The Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP) was established n 2013and
will inject 1.5 billion over five years to communities across Australia including
the Barkly.
 The RJCP is designed to provide personalised support for job seekers.
 The on the ground service approach ensures that providers have closer
connections with job seekers.
 The RJCP aims to provide participation opportunities and foundational skills.
 The Youth Corps is designed to keep youth engaged and provide pathways from
school to employment.
Challenges
 Ensuring that Community Action Plans are done in consultation with the
community to give a sense of ownership of the objectives.
Presenter: Ms Meg McGrath
Company: Department of Business
Opportunities:
 To establish mentoring programs for job seekers to have a connection with a
person who has been long term employed or business owners in the region.
Challenges
 Training providers are not coming to Tenant Creek due to lack of critical mass
and demand which is taking away options for people wanting to undertake
training.
 Ever changing government policy affects people on the margins as they are
unable to adjust to the constant change.
 People’s expectations of what is required of them when undertaking training
can be far less than the reality which can create large turnover rates.
Presenter: Ms Maisie Floyd
Company: Tennant Creek High School
Opportunities:
 The High School is open to innovative idea and partnerships with community
and business.
 The High School is working with students to ensure increased attendance rates
and to encourage them to be in school longer to better their educations and
move into the workforce. Approx. 70-75& attendance rate.
 The High School is collaborating with the broader community to engage
businesses in ways to take up opportunities for school based training.
 The High School is providing flexible solutions for students to study while taking
part in Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and School-based
Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBA).

Challenges
 The community at times does not understand fully what work is being done
within the school, so all members are invited to come in and see with their own
eyes and learn about the programs and initiatives.
 There are narrow options and variety of workplaces for students to complete
work place training and specific VET and SBA courses.
Session Four – Rounding out the environment
Presenter: Ms Tracery Munkton
Company: Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation
Opportunities:
 Julalikari through the RJCP will provide support to build foundation skills and
training to the local community.
 Julalikari aims to alleviate poverty and improve the well-being of the Aboriginal
community of the Barkly region.
 Julalikari will administer the Community Participation Activities to provide
opportunities to the community.
Challenges
 Julalikari will need to continue to work with local businesses and industries to
ensure relationships are developed and maintained.
Presenter: Superintendent Bill Yan
Company: NT Correctional Services
Opportunities:
 NT Corrections is looking to be able to produce skilled workers in the civil and
construction industry to fill labour gaps and is doing so by providing training
and on the job skills to its workforce.
 NT Corrections is offering paid work, accredited training, traineeships,
vocational education training, real world work environment training.
 The workforce undertook a contract with Rum Jungle Resources Limited to
rehabilitate drill sites and an abandoned mine camp.
 Potential for increased opportunities for NT Corrections to work alongside
mining companies to continue to provide a workforce.
Challenges
 As of 10 April 2014, the adult prison population in the NT stood at 1,552. Of this
1,435 were male and 114 were female. Unfortunately the recidivism rate
stands at 49%
 The workforce within NT Corrections generally has low levels of education,
histories of substance abuse, no previous employment, English is 2nd or 3rd
language, a ‘see, touch, do’ approach for most rather than generic learning.
Presenter: Ms Brooke Morley
Company: Indigenous Business Australia (IBA)
Opportunities:
 Through its Business Development and assistance Program IBA is able to assist
eligible Indigenous Australians to:
 Build business skills.
 Establish a business
 Buy a business
 Grow an existing business
 For people wanting to develop a business IBA offers Into Business Workshops
but also offer assistance right through the business development cycle.
 IBA works with businesses to assist them to develop under Supply Nation’s Fast
Track Lite Marketing scheme to ensure that businesses are market ready.
Challenges
 Ongoing commitment to the development of a business to ensure success.
Presenter: Dr Steve Blake
Company: Ninti One
Opportunities:
 Employment has a concentration in agriculture, followed by mining, relative to
NT as a whole.
 The Barkly is relatively diversified in employment compared to other remote
local government areas.
Challenges
 The Barkly region is a very remote local government area:
 Reflects natural resource base and location.
 Reflected in socio-economic characteristics and occupation profile.
 Predominant employers are agriculture and Public Sector.
9. Day 2 workshop overview
In support of the aim to deliver concrete and achievable outcomes for the next 1-3 years, day two
was dedicated to a workshop where participants were asked to select one focus for the day for
which they held an interest and passion. These focus areas were as follows:
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Tourism
Mining & Resources
Education & Training
Micro and small business
Regional Arts
Facilitators from the workshop we assigned to each group to assist their group in developing an
initiative or project that would achieve economic and community benefit for the region within the
stated timeframe.
The following seven criteria were used to guide the development of each idea to the point of
presenting it to the broader group.
1
•Review existing projects, add any additional projects your group wishes.
•Following group discussion rank projects- desirable and achievable
•Select a clear winner
2
•Who will it serve - customers or clients?
•What is the value each client group receives?
•How could you quantify and/or measure the benefit or value?
3
•Who are the key partners and/or suppliers needed to make it work?
4
•What are the key resources needed to make it happen? Time, money, people, networks,
partners.
•Where/with whom are these resources?
5
•Can it generate revenue - how/how much?
•Does it need additional funding? Where could this funding come from?
6
•Who are the stakeholders involved, where are they located and what do they
contribute?
7
•What are the key risks ?
•What are the key barriers?
Tourism
Project: Barkly Enterprises
Group: Karina Files (facilitator), Steve Baldwin, Kate Foran and Jo Turner.

Vision – by taking a coordinated approach to Tourism we will increase our
capital (social and economic) without compromising the current environment.

Including all industry’s (arts and culture, education and training, social, business
and tourism, planning and lobbying) into a new business model ‘Barkly
enterprises’ to increase capacity of individual business and social enterprises
through collaboration.

Barkly Enterprises could become a supply chain with the resources and
capability to ensure that businesses can take up opportunities that normally
they would not have had the capacity and/or support to undertake.

Barkly Enterprises would ensure that consumer confidence was increased as a
result of ongoing positive collaboration between businesses.

Expected outcomes –
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Increased employment pathways
Joint venture medium to large scale contracts
Increased local training delivery
Increased retention
Increased local investment

A reliable income stream becomes available through collective grant funding,
corporate membership and fee for service.

Barkly Enterprises could become an incorporated body which has the capability
to lobby and advocate for all industries in the Barkly.

To attract opportunities by increasing the capacity of the members through
collaboration.
Education and Training
Project: Battery Hill Alive
Group: Meg McGrath (facilitator), Dave Heron, Angelika Herzog, Steve Bowker and
Carmel Edwards.

Vision – A community owned and driven thriving tourism attraction that is
linked to other key sites and underpinned by training and employment
opportunities.
Supply chain
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Mine tours
Cafe
Culture
Horticulture
Digital media
Training
Visual arts
Opportunities
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Multipurpose venue for hire
Attractive tourism venue
Linkages with community businesses
Income generation
Opportunities to provide training and to have trained staff for events
Cultural experience
Ability to attract more funding through various avenues.
Challenges


Not having a stepped approach.
Lack of participation from key stakeholders (i.e. Government, RJCP providers,
business, community)
Mining
Project: The heart of gold
Group: Andre Burgess (facilitator), Kate Young, Allan Punch, Jim Phillips, Brian Fowler
and Steve Blake.
‘The Barkley the heart of Northern Australia’s future’
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Mining skills are transferrable skills – trained people can go and work
anywhere.
Local business linking in with large labour hire companies who have long term
contracts with the mines.
Aboriginal Corporations partnering with the mines to ensure cultural and
heritage aspects are taking into consideration at all points of life of mine.
Partnerships with RJCP, training providers, Charles Darwin University and
department of Business through the Bachelor Institute to provide on the
ground training for potential employees as well as continued training and up
skilling for current employees.
Funding available to ensure mine rehabilitation occurs on mine sites, this could
be done in conjunction with local TOs, elders and business to ensure the best
outcome for the area.
Key linkages to broader regional infrastructure, including transport hub, rail line
and supply chain services.
Attracting investment and moving beyond reliance on government funding.
Success measures
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Completion of VET certificates
The increase of locals into mining specific jobs
New micro enterprises as a result of up skilling and employment through the
mining sector.
New investment into the Barkly region.
Improved OH&S in the workplace.
Mine work ready people
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Training, skills and certification
Undertaken on site on country training
RJCP looks to create real jobs within the industry through program funding.
Core skills – plumbing, drivers, support services, need to diversify the industry
to fit.
Managers need to undergo training to ensure they understand the hardships
that face Aboriginal people and the long term unemployed.
Micro and small enterprise
Project: Barkly Central
Group: Jason Newman (facilitator), Kathy Harman, Maxxie Priest, Joy Priest, Gordon
Jackson, Suzie Jackson, Brooke Morley, John Jansen.
Creating a brand/ identity that ensures large scale networking and support for micro
and small enterprises through a collaborative approach.
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Creating market growth
Facilitating info sharing
Enhances local economy
Develop a business plan/MOU between micro and small enterprise to work under
Barkly Central. A small buy in membership with funds put towards marketing and
advertisement through the Barkly and broader region.
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Achieving economies of scale by increasing buying power (in bulk for small
business)
Developing a brand that is associated with and known for its commercial
acumen.
Collective approach to business development from micro to med and large
enterprises
Arts
Project: Bi-annual Desert Harmony Festival
Group: Robin Gregory (facilitator), Alan Murn, Kathy Burns.
Desert Harmony Festival (bi-annual)
‘A major drawcard festival which is run on a business model with a research component
that will properly measure the economic and social impact on the region’
The Festival which is hosted by Barkly Regional Arts is in its 25th year and for the special
occasion celebrations will be spanning over several weeks. To ensure an event as large
and successful as this can continue into the future to provide a large revenue stream
into the local community Barkly Regional Arts is hoping to develop a model that will
ensure the local community takes ownership of the Festival.
The business model proposed is a collective impact approach to ensure businesses and
community are working towards a singular vision. Once this is achieved the festival can
transition from fully arts driven to arts and business driven.
The Desert Harmony festival experience:
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Outback town.
Unique remote Australia experience.
Indigenous cultural experiences.
Unique music and art highlighted throughout the festival.
Key business partners and stakeholders required for implementation of the model:
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Regional Economic Development Committee (Economic and business support).
Barkly Enterprise (Local business and community buy in).
Barkly Regional Arts (Festival production).
Barkly Regional Council (Venue, safety, resources).
10. Evaluation
A panel of participants were asked to evaluate presentations based on the potential value to
the community. The panel scored each group presentation based on the seven criteria used
to the guide the group workshops.
Panel Member
1
2
3
4
5
6
Av
7
Tourism
6
7
8
7
6
7
8
7
Education and Training
9
8
8
7
9
5
8
7.7
Mining
7
7
7
6
8
7
7
6.8
Micro and small enterprise
7
6
6
8
8
7
6
6.8
Arts
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
7.2
The projects rated evenly overall with no one standout. The potential to implement all five
projects within the community appears to be high although they will need backing from a
majority of the community.
11. Reflections
There needs to be a smart use of training funds - Julalikari to invest RJCP funds into local businesses
to up skill and provide training. Better linkages between business and RJCP opportunities with
participation activity funding.
Local government needs to clarify their role in local business – Currently small to medium sized
businesses have to compete with the local government for work. There is a need to clarify the policy
position of council in relation to its role as a provider of services for which a fee is charged.
What it takes to succeed – An active body, community spirit and a strong mind.
Review of micro business development in the region – Micro business development and the
associated support mechanisms. The REDC and the Department of Business are looking to support
micro business through the development stage.
Business referral structures – Business and government to implement structures to support the
REDC. The Shire Council and Julalikari have to partner up to develop and coordinate employment
opportunities within the community.
Local business identification and incubation project – REDC to form a conduit one stop shop for
business development opportunities.
Local arts as an industry model – implementation of a business model needs to occur to ensure
creative arts are seen as business industry for the community.
Tennant Creek as a brand – Collaboration needs to occur to ensure that Tennant Creek is no longer
seen as a negative place for visitors. While not glamourous it is a good place to stopover and
immerse yourself in the culture.
RJCP training – RJCP foundation skills training is being used to ensure potential employees are
getting the life skills to ensure they are ready for on the job training.
Relationships with business and education – We need someone who is able to broker a relationship
with the High School and training centres to enable business to gain a better understanding of the
development pathways children are aware of.
Pulling down silos – On a regional level we need to start working together to break down the silos
that exist between various industries and businesses.
Training for training sake – As a community we need to ensure that we do not continue to train for
training sake and that people are being genuinely upskilled at an appropriate level to meet the
employment market.
12. Workshop Summary and Close
The Tennant Creek WIP workshop provided an avenue for the local community, industry
groups and businesses to collaborate on a range of opportunities for the region to be
discussed and implemented.
From the discussions and workshops a range of opportunities presented themselves. When
the local community identifies the priorities for the region it is crucial they can be taken
forward with the support of all local entities. Community partnerships will need to be
established to ensure that industry and community no longer work ‘silo’ to the other.
The department looks forward to continued work with the community and local industry
and business.
13. Concluding remarks
The Tennant Creek WIP workshop had a particular focus creating further opportunities to
contribute to sustained employment for the local Aboriginal people in mining, tourism and
related industries while fostering new viable enterprises. It has raised some important
questions for ongoing discussion within the community.
The department notes that it was not able to meet the expected targets for the publishing
of the workshop report due to some unforeseen circumstances. This in turn may have
caused some actions to lose momentum while the report was published.
The department would like to invite participants to provide any additional comments on the
workshop to workinginpartnership@industry.gov.au.
Appendix A – Workshop Agenda
Tennant Creek Our Business – Jurnkurraku Anyinginyi Business
Working in Partnership workshop
Tues 15 - Wed 16 April 2014, Battery Hill Mining Complex, Tennant Creek
Tuesday 15 April 2014
Presenters
Registration, tea and coffee and housekeeping announcements
The Working in Partnership Initiative and how it works
Working in Partnership
Coordinator
Mr Michael Tyquin
Welcome to country
Central Land Council
Ms. Francine McCarthy
Workshop background, purpose, aims and desired outcomes
Workshop Facilitator
Mr Brett Barlee
The Barkly region: an economic profile and key regional themes and
opportunities
Department of the Chief
Minister
Mr Steven Edgington
Regional Economic
Development Committee
Mr Jason Newman
Morning tea
PANEL ONE – The exploration and mining sector
OM (Manganese) Ltd
Mr Paul McHugh
Arafura Resources
Mr Brian Fowler
PANEL TWO – Regional industry and arts
National Indigenous Training
Academy
Ms Jo Turner and Ms Ashlee
Murphy
Tourism NT
Mr John di Maria
Barkly Regional Arts
Mr Alan Murn and Ms Kathy Burns
Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and
Culture Centre
Ms Kate Foran
Lunch
PANEL THREE – Pre-employment education, training and
recruitment
Department of Education, NT
Government
Mr Alf Leonardi
Remote Jobs and Communities
Program
Mr Steve Bowker
NT Department of Business
Ms Meg McGrath
Tennant Creek High School
Ms Maisie Floyd
PANEL FOUR – Rounding out the environment
Remote Jobs and Communities
Program (RJCP) Provider
Tracey Munckton
NT Correctional Services
Superintendent Bill Yan
IBA
Ms Brooke Morley
Ninti One
Dr Steve Blake
Objectives for day two
Afternoon Tea
Mr Michael Tyquin/ Mr Brett Barlee
Tennant Creek Our Business – Jurnkurraku Anyinginyi Business
Working in Partnership workshop
Tues 15 - Wed 16 April 2014, Battery Hill Mining Complex, Tennant Creek
Wednesday 16 April 2014
Presenters
Registration, tea and coffee
Summary of Day One
Mr Brett Barlee
BREAKOUT SESSION – Converting ideas into benefit
NT Department of Business
(Groups will be led by members of the panel opposite)
Ms Meg McGrath
Regional Development Australia
Ms Robin Gregory
Indigenous Coordination Centre
Ms Andre Burgess
Department of Business
Ms Karina Files
Regional Economic Development
Committee
Mr Jason Newman
Morning tea
BREAKOUT SESSION – Continued
Lunch
BREAKOUT SESSION – Continued
Workshop Feedback
Department of the Chief Minister
Mr Steven Edgington
Summing up
Mr Brett Barlee/ Mr Michael Tyquin
14. Appendix B – Workshop Participants
Name
Position
Organisation
Baldwin, Steve
Owner
Outback caravan Park Tennant Creek
Barlee, Brett
Indigenous Consultancy Group Facilitator
Indigenous Consulting Group (ICG)
Bloomfield, Jess
Project Officer
Department of Industry
Bowker, Steve
Program Manager
Department of Prime Minster & Cabinet
Blake, Steve (Dr)
General Manager
Research, Quality and Innovation, NintiOne Limited
Burgess, Andre
Manager
Indigenous Coordination Centre
Burns, Kathy
Artistic Director
Barkly Regional Arts Inc.
Carter, Joe
Manager, Construction and Municipal Services
Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation
Corbett, Peter
Ali Curung
Cross, Tim
Acting Director, Industries and Employment
NT Department of Correctional Services
Crowe, Mike
Head of Campus, Central Australia
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Territory Education
John Di Maria
Executive Director - Operations
Tourism NT
Edgington, Steven
Regional Executive Director, Barkly Region
Department of the Chief Minister
Edwards, Carmel
Project Officer
Indigenous Coordination Centre
Files, Karina
Tourism Business Development Officer
Department of Business
Floyd, Maisie
Principal
Tennant Creek High School
Foran, Kate
Manager
Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre
Fowler, Brian
General Manager - NT and Sustainability
Arafura Resources Limited
Gerrard, Sam
Abattoir
Gregory, Robin
Project Officer
Central Australia, Regional Development Australia
Greive, Ian
Director
Arlpwe Art Gallery
Hawke, Allan
Housing and Housing Support Manager
Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation
Harman, Katherine
Manager, Minerals Branch
Department of industry
Heron, David
Director Corporate Services
Barkly Regional Council
Herzog, Angelika
Manager, Employment and Training, Tennant Creek
Department of Business
Hood, Mel
Abattoir
Jansen, John
Director
NARMCO Pty Ltd
Jackson, Gordon
Owner
Triple P Contracting Pty Ltd
Jackson, Suzie
Owner
Triple P Contracting Pty Ltd
Leonardi, Alf
Director - Industry Engagement & Employment Pathways
NT Department of Education
Marks, Edwina
Chief Operating Officer
Barkly Shire Council
McCarthy, Francine
Senior Project Officer
Central Land Council
McGrath, Meg
Regional Training Co-ordinator Barkly
Department of Business
McHugh, Paul
Health, Safety, Environment and Community Manager
OM Manganese Ltd
Morley, Brooke
Finance Broker
Indigenous Business Australia
Murn, Alan
Executive Officer
Barkly Regional Arts Inc.
Murphy, Ashlee
Hospitality Trainee
Desert Gardens Hotel
Newman, Jason
Chair
Tennant Creek Regional Development Committee
Norman, Jarred
Abattoir
Phillips, Jim
Director
Phillips Earthmoving Contractors Pty Ltd
Phillips, Sylvia
Director
Phillips Earthmoving Contractors Pty Ltd
Priest, Maxxie
Owner
MTP Contractor Pty Ltd
Priest, Joy
Owner
MTP Contractor Pty Ltd
Punch, Allen
Chair
Wunara Aboriginal Corporation
Sanders, Trevor
General Manager
Anyinginyi Aboriginal Health Corporation
Turner, Jo
APY & Tri-border School-to-Work Coordinator
National Indigenous Training Academy
Tyquin, Michael
WIP Coordinator
Department of Industry
Yan, Bill
(Superintendent)
General Manager
Alice Springs Correctional Centre
Young, Kate
Centre Leader, Tennant Creek
Charles Darwin University
15. Appendix C – Workshop Idea Matrix