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COUNCIL NEWS: CAREER DEVELOPMENT ROLE MODEL

9th September 2020

Someone who is making the most of his career development opportunities is Simon Campbell who was until recently Council’s Community Patrol Team Leader in Yarralin and has since been recruited by the Northern Territory Police as a Community Liaison Officer.

Simon completed a Certificate III in Community Night Patrol with Charles Darwin University whilst working for the Council. He acquired countless transferable skills which placed him as an ideal candidate for his current position.

Simon is demonstrating a great example of the many career pathways available for Community Patrol workers.

Council’s Manager of Community Safety and Wellbeing, Richard Watson, says the team is very happy for Simon and there is no doubt that he will add great value to his new workplace.

“We wish Simon all the best for the next phase of his career,” Mr. Watson added.

Simon Campbell: bottom row / far right

COUNCIL NEWS: LAJAMANU POLICE THANK CDP TEAM

1st October 2020

 With the heat ramping up there’s nothing better than a shady place to get some respite from the scorching hot sun. Thanks to the Lajamanu Community Development Program team, visitors to the Lajamanu Police Station can do just that with the new sheltered bench.

Council’s CDP Builder Trainer Gary Kelly and the Lajamanu CDP team constructed the seat as part of a Certificate II in construction. What a great way to put those handy skills to good use for the community’s benefit.

Lajamanu Remote Sergeant Sherri-Lynn Kelly expressed her thanks, “I would like to send a special thank you to Gary and the CDP team for building the Lajamanu Police Station a bench. This enables our visitors and people waiting to speak to the Police to have a nice cool place to sit and wait.”

“It has already been used numerous times and it is a valuable asset to community engagement,” she added.

COUNCIL NEWS: SUN SAFE SCOOTER
30th September 2020
We all know there are plenty of ways to tackle the build-up in the Territory, and this approach by Lajamanu’s Joe Marshall has us celebrating not only another #CDPsuccess story, but also sun safety!
Joe is a respected and active member of the Lajamanu community and has been working for Lajamanu School’s Remote School Attendance Strategy team since August 2019. He has the critical role of talking to children and parents about the importance of school attendance.
Joe is often seen zooming around the remote community and regularly drops in to Council’s air-conditioned Community Development Program office for a chat and to escape the heat, which regularly reaches north of 40 degrees each day this time of year. Council’s local CDP Builder Trainer, Gary Kelly, and a team of participants were concerned about the impact of the intense heat on Joe’s health, so they pulled together and produced a canopy addition to provide constant shade for Joe while he is travelling around in his motorised scooter.

CDP Employment Coordinator Diana Sawers said the CDP team was very happy to work alongside the

NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme

support team to ensure community members have the support they need.

“It also makes our participants feel like they have contributed something positive to the community in way of support,” Diana explained.
“Joe is now seen smiling and laughing around community.”
COUNCIL NEWS: LICENCE LEGEND
                                                            24th September 2020                                                                                                                     
This story comes from Kalkarindji where a very excited Michael Rockman has received his                                                            learner’s permit at age 58!                                                                                                                             
Council’s Kalkarindji CDP team arranged for a group of participants to attend a Back on                      Track driving course this week, which was held in Lajamanu over two days.                                        
After completing the course, the team escorted Michael to the local police station where                         he undertook the learner’s driving test and passed with flying colours.                                                     
Kalkarindji CDP Employment Coordinator Victoria Haig said the course had been extremely beneficial for all participants and Michael receiving his licence at the end of it all was the                                                                       cherry on top.                                                                                                                                            
“The last time Michael had a licence was when he was 22, so this is something he can be                                                             very proud of,” she added.                                                                                                                             
                            “It was amazing to see – you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.”                                                           
“The CDP team is so proud of Michael and is looking forward to seeing him out and about on the road.”
 COUNCIL NEWS: YARRALIN AGED CARE FACILITY REVAMP
                                                      18th September 2020                                                                                                                                      
This good news story comes from Yarralin where there has been major                  improvements in the functionality and appearance of the aged care centre.                                       
Victoria Daly Regional Council received a grant from the Department of Health earlier in the year to undertake the upgrades, and as a result, the Council has been able to continue providing a safe and comfortable service environment that promotes the consumers’                                                 independence, function, and enjoyment.                                                                                                       
Consumers can now engage with others in multiple sitting areas and enjoy their meals in                           the refurbished dining room as well as relax in the outdoor areas.                                                             
Community Services Manager, Annalisa Bowden, said “the project has turned out brilliantly, it will bring some extra comfort to the aged care community in Yarralin”.
 COUNCIL NEWS: MAKING MOVES IN MENTAL HEALTH
                                                                          16th September 2020                                                                                                                                                                                          
Victoria Daly Community Services Manager, Annalisa Bowden, and NDIS Chief of Staff, Miroaj Lamichane     attended Mental Health First Aid training in Kalkarindji and Lajamanu in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.                    
Facilitator, Sudha Coutinho, provided the training which was funded through an NT Government Alcohol Grant                                                                and was offered free to communities.                                                                                                                                              
  “The training was practical and the acquired skills can be easily applied by staff and community members to                                                           make a positive difference” Mrs Bowden explained.                                                                                                                       
“Through gradually weaving a safety net of support, community members will be able to make a real difference”, Mr Lamichane added.
COUNCIL NEWS: GOOD LUCK CROCODILE  –  ‘FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW’
                                                                         10th September 2020                                                                                                                                                                              
This story comes from Kalkarindji and Daguragu, where a dedicated team is proud as punch to have entered its lucky crocodile in the Junk Art Festival, which was held Katherine on the 5th September 2020.                                                                                                                                                                                  
Following a successful welding course, Kalkarindji and Daguragu CDP participants were enthusiastic to keep practicing their skills.They took their ideas to the Dagaragu Traditional Owners, and it was decided that the croc idea was the strongest proposal.                                                                                                                                                        
The croc was made entirely from horse shoes, many of which were collected from Wave Hill Station. John Leemans and Peter Ross drove the concept, and Dion King, Harold Oscar, Dean Farquharson and Dennis Crowson were driving forces of the development of the project.                                                                                                 
We are told the name ‘Good Luck Crocodile’ has great significance as 3 out of 4 of the principle drivers gained employment whilst working on the project. Congratulations guys!                                                                                     
Thank you to CDP Activity Supervisor William Smart and also to Dion King and Harold Oscar for representing the Good Luck Crocodile at the festival.                                                                                                                                    
The croc only missed out on the peoples’ choice award by a mere two votes! ”The men are more fired up than ever to get back to activities and start creating for next year’s competition,” explained William
  COUNCIL NEWS: TERRIFIC TRAINING
                                                               9th September 2020                                                                                                                                                     
Thank you to Victoria Daly Regional Council’s Technical Operation Manager, Tony Harris,                        for running a tyre changing development course for Victoria Daly staff.                                                      
The course was well received enjoyed by all! Training included:
• Safe technique for tyre moving, lifting and fastening
• Safety awareness and management
• Dangerous scenario discussion and strategies to manage
                                                              • Plus lots of laughs!                                                                                                                                          
Thank you also to the Council’s Work Health and Safety Officer, Tabitha Gikonyo, for arranging the training. GO VDRC TEAM!

COUNCIL NEWS: POWERFUL PAIR

1st September 2020

This story focuses on Lajamanu where two participants are making inroads in a powerful way after commencing work with Power Projects NT Pty Ltd in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.                                               
David Tchooga joined the team as a Housing Maintenance Officer in July and has already been a priceless addition by looking out for his colleagues and ensuring all safety measures are met.                                                            
Jasper Burns commenced with the crew as a Housing Maintenance Officer in March 2020 and has already earned a reputation as an invaluable employee. We’re told to keep an eye on his career, as he is adding to his new skill set with a Certificate II in Construction. We have no doubt that this qualification will add tremendous value to both Jasper individually, but also to his community and greater region down the track.                                          
Community Development Program Regional Manager, Janelle Iszlaub, thanked the local Northern Territory business for working with Council to assist with David and Jasper’s transition into the workforce.
“This is just a great outcome for everyone involved,” she explained.                                                                                          
“Power Projects has gained two enthusiastic staff, while the men are making a big contribution to their families and community as they learn new skills that really benefit their employment opportunities.”

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18 Pearce Street,
Katherine South NT 0850

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PO Box 19, Katherine NT 0851

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(08) 8972 0777

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