[permaculture-oceania] volunteers required for community gardens project in WA goldfields

[Kim Hill]

Hi everyone
I've just found out about this project being run by
Indigenous Community Volunteers.  They are looking for
six people to work in the WA Goldfields region on
developing community gardens.  Here are the details:


PROJECT SUMMARY OUTLINE 

Community/organisation: Wongutha Birni Aboriginal
Corporation	966N/06
ICV Project Officer: Liza Fraser-Gooda
Phone:	(08) 6363 4506  
Skills Required:	Horticulture 

A.	THE PROJECT
·	The Wongutha Birni Aboriginal Corporation requested
skills in horticulture/gardening. They are the main
cultural organisation for the Goldfields region and
are working with three other communities (Mt Margaret,
Leonora & Laverton) to co-ordinated the Northern
Goldfields Kidney Health Project. 
·	They have requested this assistance to develop
gardening skills in the community for individual and
community gardens to grow fruit and vegetables to
supplement the food supply to support healthy eating. 
They would like to use this as an activity that will
provide exercise and relaxation and personal
satisfaction and fulfilment.  This will also assist in
the dietary changes required for the Kidney & Diabetes
research project.  (more information will be provided
about the project)  
·	The volunteer will be expected to transfer skills in
all aspects of gardening – preparations of garden
beds, sowing seeds, propagation methods, planning and
companion plating plus water management.
·	Community workshops will be held in each community
to give all community members who are interested a
basic introduction to gardening and identify the
people who will be particularly involved.  There
emphasis will be on establishing household gardens and
this will then be followed by community, school and
hospital gardens.  This is one big project which has
the partnerships and support of numerous
organisations, departments and corporate bodies.

B.	THE COMMUNITY

·	Wongutha Birni Aboriginal Corporation has been
operating in the Eastern Goldfields Region since
1997.It has grown out of the desire of the Aboriginal
community to preserve, protect, promote and pass on
history, culture, language and art of the Aboriginal
people of the Eastern Goldfields. In September 2004
the Wongutha Birni Aboriginal Cultural Centre opened.
It is a community based arts & cultural centre. It is
staffed by 20 volunteers, CDEP workers and committee
members.  The centre has facilities for an art
gallery, museum, retail outlet, and performance area
and work space for artists. It will have native plant
garden which will also provide a space for outdoor
installations and sculpture.  It will provide
opportunities for artists and also tourism, education
and be the focal point for reconciliation.  
·	There is growing interest in Indigenous art, culture
and history in the Eastern goldfields Region and world
wide.  Indigenous people themselves are keen to
protect and promote their culture and share it with
their children, their community and the wider
community.  Wongutha Birni uses community arts as a
vehicle for community development to assist with the
development of resilience, self-esteem, pride and to
assist with the development of strong cultural
identity.  In addition the arts offers the possibility
of employment, economic development and recreational
activities which are culturally rewarding and
sensitive.
·	The community is in Kalgoorlie which is the major
regional centre for the Goldfields region. It has all
services as available & is accessible by transport. 
The volunteers will be working out of the Wongutha
Birni Cultural Centre with extended visits to Leonra,
Laverton and Mt Margaret.  
·	Mt Margaret Community is located 32 kms soth east of
Laverton in the North Eastern Goldfield region.  It
has a population of 100.  This community has already
completed three ICV projects in the past (shed
construction, business mentoring and submission
writing).
·	Lenora is a small rural town. There is high
unemployment among Aboriginal people in Lenora. The
main industry for the town is mining, ranger, art and
cultural activities.  The languages spoken are Ngalia,
Tjupan, Mardu and English.
·	The centre is alcohol, drug & cigarette free area.
The volunteer will be accommodated at the backpackers
whilst in Kalgoorlie and billeted with the nurses in
Laverton.  Then in Leonora and Mt Margaret there are
houses provided.  Volunteers will need to bring their
own swags.  The volunteer will have access to
internet, phone, computers and fax in the Wongutha
Birni offices.

C.	PROJECT OUTCOMES
·	The benefits the community hopes to gain from this
project are;
§	education for participants to gain an healthy eating
and lifestyle
§	gain new skills
§	build confidence and empowerment for participates
§	prevention of renal & diabetes diseases

START DATE/TIMING OF PROJECT
·	8 – 12 weeks in August/September/October followed by
a further six weeks in March/April 2007. (please note
you’re availability can be negotiated with the
communities.


Kim Hill



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