Gumala News - March 2012 - Members Edition

GUMALA NEWS
MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
Education focus:
Gumala launches a new
& unique early childhood
learning project –
the “3A Project”
Disclaimer: When reading this publication and sharing it with family and friends, please be
mindful that it may contain images and/or names of people who have since passed away
GUMALA
AAboriginal
Corporation
ICN 2744

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
Chairman’s Comment
Our Chairman Keith Hall gives his frank and up-front views
on his experiences as GAC’s Chairman
Exactly 15 years ago, in March
1997, the Yandi Land Use
Agreement (YLUA) was signed.
It was the first major land use
agreement to be signed in Australia
between a major mining company
and the Traditional Owners. It would
enable the company to develop a
mine on our traditional lands.
Members might consider reminding
our children - the young generation,
no matter where they live - that
the mine we are talking about, Rio
Tinto’s Yandicoogina (Yandi) iron
ore mine about 120 km east of Tom
Price, is the reason that funding
opportunities are available for us all
at Gumala Aboriginal Corporation
(GAC).
Every time you fill in an application
form at GAC - whether it’s for
Health, Education or Lore & Culture
- it might be worth reminding those
around you, especially your kids,
that it was GAC’s original Founding
Members that made all of these
things possible. They fought strong
and hard to get that agreement
signed, sealed and delivered. They
succeeded. The deal was struck...
and on March 1st , 1997, the
YLUA was signed.
GAC has made a lot of progress
since the signing of the YLUA in
1997. It’s been a rocky road. In
fact, you only have to go back a few
years to see that some years back,
there were not so many funding
opportunities for the Members.
But things have changed. As you
may have seen in our last Annual
Report, in the last financial year
(July 2011 to June 2012) over $8
million in funding was distributed
to us, the Traditional Owners,
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s Chairman
Keith Hall
via all of the programs that GAC
makes available. Every one of those
application forms that we fill in on a
daily basis - to pay for food, medical
bills, our kids educations, putting our
boys through lore, and so on – it
totalled over $8 million. The funds
distributed via these programs in the
current financial year (July 2012
to June 2013) will be much higher
than $8 million.
That figure is going to jump to about
$20 million during this current
financial year.
As you all know, GAC is also busy
on the Projects side of things,
including the housing project, the
elderly housing complex, community
maintenance and upgrades, lore
camp upgrades, the health project
with Murdoch University, and the
recently opened early childhood
centre at Wakuthuni.
I’m not saying GAC is a 100 per
cent perfect organisation in every
possible way, but we are a lot closer
to being 100 per cent perfect than
we’ve ever been.
I’ve observed a great many things
at GAC since I was appointed
as Chairman. The Staff and the
Management are doing an excellent
job in a sometimes challenging
environment. We are always looking
at ways to improve our organisation,
and we will continue to do that.
It’s worth noting that getting funding
out to the Members (especially in
our core areas of health & wellbeing,
education and lore & culture)
is our bread and butter, and we are
doing that very very well.
Before I joined the GAC Board and
was appointed as Chairman, I never
saw the full picture at Gumala. I
only saw it from my perspective as
a Member. After serving as GAC
Chairman for nearly a year now, I’ve
seen the full picture. So I know that
we are in safe, trustworthy hands
with the GAC Management and
Staff, and our Trustee (GIPL). They
are getting the job done.
The rewards to the Members,
by way of increased funding
opportunities and better futures
for our kids are the proof in the
pudding.
15 years have passed since the
signing of the land use agreement.
My dream is that in another 15
years time we will be a lot more than
just one of the biggest Aboriginal
corporations in the country. We
will be, quite simply, THE BEST..
and all the things we are pushing
for – better health and education,
job opportunities, the homeland
movement, preservation of language
and culture, self-determination -
all of these things will become a
complete and absolute reality.
Investing in the future is, without
doubt, a very important part of the
overall vision of Gumala Aboriginal
Corporation (GAC).
In the case of GAC, this includes
financial investments that yield
income and capital growth; it
includes investing in the future
of our young generation through
education; and investing in human
resources (personnel) to enable
GAC to continue to meet the
growing needs of the members and
to operate smoothly, efficiently and
effectively.
PROPERTY INVESTMENT
The Trustee of the General Gumala
Foundation, Gumala Investments Pty
Ltd (GIPL), has just finalised a blue
chip investment in a commercial
property in the Perth CBD. The
property is located at 165 Adelaide
Terrace, East Perth (the corner
of Adelaide Terrace and Bennett
Street).
GIPL has purchased a majority
equity (three floors) in the five floor
building. As well as leasing out space
to the existing tenants, GIPL will be
moving into the building.
GIPL is also leasing out some of the
space to GAC. So GAC’s Perth
office, currently based in Victoria
Park, is in the process of relocating
to the East Perth building.
Perth-based Members who need to
come into our office for assistance
should be aware that Member
Services is scheduled to move to the
East Perth building during the month
of May.
It’s worth noting that public
transport was an important
consideration in the purchase of the
building (a number of bus services
run along Adelaide Terrace and
nearby Hay Street and Wellington
Street).
CEO Comment
Investing in our future
Until the GAC relocation is
complete, Members wishing to get
Member Services assistance should
visit the Victoria Park office as usual.
Members will be notified by mail
and on our webiste when Member
Services has moved to East Perth and
the Victoria Park office has closed.
Notwithstanding the investment
in Perth, please be assured that
the heart of Gumala lies in the
Pilbara and the Head Office of the
organisation will always remain
in Tom Price. This is where our
connection to country is and where
our roots are.
We are hopeful that with the
ongoing development of the town
centre, that one day in the notso-distant
future, the Tom Price
office will also be able to move
The Perth CBD property investment at
165 Adelaide Terrace
into a beautiful new building, much
more suitable for one of the largest
Aboriginal Corporations in Australia.
EDUCATION
Another major investment in our
future is education. GAC is pouring
money into education spending. We
are paying for school and university
fees for the Members and their
children. We are also paying for
other education expenses in the
form of rent assistance for students,
tuition fees, and much more. We
are creating scholarships for students.
Education is a most important issue
for me because Members tell me
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s CEO
Steve Mav
all the time that the future of the
Banyjima, Innawonga and Nyiyaparli
peoples lies in the future of their
children and grand children.
I sit on the Boards of the Tom Price
Primary School and the Tom Price
Senior High School, and what I have
learned there has reinforced my
view that investing in education is
investing in GAC’s future.
GAC has also invested in the Early
Childhood Centre at Wakuthuni.
The experts tell us that the early
years of our children’s education
are the most important. The
Early Childhood Centre uses the
Abecedarian Approach which has
been tailored for a remotely located
Indigenous community with the full
consultation of the local community.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Finally, I’d like to briefly mention
the vital importance of our
workforce. Our Traineeship Program
and the active policy of seeking to
employ our Members remains, of
course, a high priority at GAC.
In recent months, we have
recruited some vitally needed,
highly specialised professionals
who can give us the capacity
to respond to the needs of our
Members. Areas of recruitment
have responded to specific areas of
need, including Member Services,
Housing and Community Projects,
Education, Governance and Business
Development.
Page 2 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 3

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
Government funding injection for
Wakuthuni health clinic
Wakuthuni’s health clinic is set to
be upgraded, following the State
Government’s announcement of a
funding injection under the Royalties
for Regions program.
Health Minister Kim Hames said
the Remote Indigenous Health
Clinics initiative would result in
improvements to the delivery of
health services at Wakuthuni.
Other Aboriginal communities
in WA have also received the
funding, including Bayulu, Mulan,
Mindibungu (Billiluna) and
Noonkanbah (Yungngora). In total,
$22.2 million will be spent to
redevelop all of these communities’
health clinics (including Wakuthuni).
Gumala News is a Gumala
Aboriginal Corporation publication.
Front Cover photo: Jaidah &
Benjamin Limerick (children of
Nelitta Limerick). Image taken by
Elly Lukale on the opening day of
the “3A Project” at the Wakuthuni
Early Childhood Centre (see
Education pages starting on page
9).
Do you have a good story for
Gumala News? Send an email
to the editor: peter.caruso@
gumala.com.au
The project will be managed by
the WA Country Health Service
with works kicking off immediately
and continuing through 2012 and
2013.
Dr Hames said the project would
improve health outcomes and
address health inequities in remote
Aboriginal communities.
“This initiative will see the
replacement of sub-standard clinic
infrastructure and eliminate the
forced closure of clinics due to
health and safety concerns.
“Access to quality primary
health care services is crucial to
the improvement of Indigenous
health and is essential in order to
successfully and sustainably close the
gap in life expectancy,” he said.
Regional Development Minister
Brendon Grylls said the project
would adopt culturally appropriate
clinic designs to encourage
community members to utilise the
upgraded facilities.
“A major consideration for
Royalties for Regions is providing
supplementary investment to
Government agencies to improve
service delivery to communities,” Mr
Grylls said.
“The agencies involved are working
with the communities to ensure
each clinic best addresses each
community’s health priorities.”
Special
Aknowledgement
At this time, the 15th Anniversary of the signing of
the Yandi Land Use Agreement (YLUA), Gumala
Aboriginal Corporation wishes to recognise the original
Signatories (the Founding Gumala Members) to the
YLUA. They were able to negotiate and secure the
agreement thanks to their steadfast determination.
Sadly, some of these Founding Members have
since passed away, and we would especially like to
respectfully acknowledge them at this time.
We would also like to acknowledge with respect the
passing of one of our Founding Elders who recently
passed away. We wish to pass on our condolences to
the Smith family for their sad loss. Her legacy will live
on in Gumala and in the future generations of Gumala
members who are assisted through the Foundation.
Major Executive Appointments
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation
(GAC) has the pleasure to
announce the appointment of
two senior executives to the GAC
management team, Stephen Scarrott
(Chief Financial Officer) and
Emma Kerslake (General Manager
Governance). Stephen and Emma
bring a wealth of experience to
GAC.
ABOUT STEPHEN
Stephen is a Chartered Accountant,
Fellow of Leadership WA and
member of the Australian Institute
of Company Directors with a
vast national and international
employment background, including
the National Director of Finance
at St John of God Pathology; and
Cost management and Financial
Accounting roles with National
Power and Glaxo Pharmaceuticals
(now GlaxoSmithKline) in the UK.
Stephen is also a Director and
Treasurer of the Community Arts
Network Western Australia and
Treasurer of the Rockingham
Districts Little Athletics Association.
Stephen has held key Finance roles
in a variety of sectors, with clients
that range from multi-national
organisations to the small cottage
industry. After working in general
Perth office
relocation
in May
GAC Members are advised that
GAC is scheduled to complete a
Perth office relocation in May. Once
the office relocation (from Victoria
Park to East Perth) is completed,
GAC Members will be advised by
mail and on our website.
Our Tom Price head office address
remains unchanged.
practice in New Zealand, Stephen
worked internationally before settling
in Australia.
ABOUT EMMA
Emma holds a Bachelor of Laws
and a Bachelor of Arts degree from
the University of Queensland, as
well as substantial Management
experience including over a decade
at the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Emma’s
role immediately prior to joining
Gumala was Acting Director of
DFAT’s WA State Office. She has
also held other high level Executive
positions in DFAT Canberra and at
the Australian High Commission in
Wellington and spent several years
as an international legal officer for
DFAT.
Emma is an Indigenous Australian
(Palawa heritage) and in her spare
time is an Indigenous Community
Volunteer. Emma comes to Gumala
with a proven commitment to the
self-empowerment of Indigenous
Australians.
Emma Kerslake and Stephen Scarrott pictured out the front of GAC’s Perth CBD office at
165 Adelaide Terrace
Page 4 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 5

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
MEMBER SERVICES
Welcome to the second edition
of ‘What’s happening in Member
Services’. In this edition I will give
an overview of the Country Vehicle
Repair and Maintenance program,
Telstra Bill Assistance program,
touch on members’ personal details
and what the future brings for
Member Services.
In the previous edition I gave an
overview of the Utilities program. At
the time of writing this article, 729
applications have been processed for
this program.
This program has assisted many
families during the past 9 months
with their gas, electricity and water
accounts. In saying this, I have been
busy looking at ways to assist our
members further with other services.
NEW PROGRAM STARTING
JULY 1, 2012
In the next financial year GAC
will be providing assistance to its
members for their Telstra accounts.
This assistance will be provided by
way of certificates.
Each certificate is valued at $25;
the number of certificates issued to
members will be based on assessment
of the member’s situation and the
number of certificates provided by
Anglicare to GAC.
The Telstra Bill Assistance
Certificates (TBAC) are issued by
Telstra to Anglicare WA. Anglicare
WA outsources the certificates to
emergency relief providers such as
St Vincent De Paul, Red Cross etc.
These providers then issue them to
people who are in financial difficulty.
Although GAC is not an emergency
relief provider by definition, we
What’s happening in
Member Services?
do assist our members in times of
hardship and financial misfortune.
Therefore, GAC have been fortunate
enough to meet the eligibility criteria
set out by Anglicare and will be
provided these certificates to issue
to our members. These certificates
will be issued to members who meet
the eligibility criteria. The eligibility
criterion is as follows:
1) The Telstra account must
be in the member’s name, the
member’s partner’s name or the
member must be able to show proof
of residing at that address.
2) The Telstra account cannot
be in the hands of a debt collection
agency. These certificates cannot be
used if this applies.
3) The member must be in
receipt of a Centrelink benefit e.g.
Newstart, pension etc. Proof will be
required.
4) If the member is not
receiving Centrelink benefits, their
annual income must be $40,000 or
less. Proof will be required.
NAME:
ADDRESS:
DOB:
FAX:
by GAC’s Health & Culture Manager Tracey Blokland
5) The member must provide
the front page and the payment
details page of the Telstra account.
This program will not be
implemented until 1st July 2012.
COUNTRY VEHICLE REPAIR
AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM
The Country Vehicle Repair and
Maintenance program has had many
queries. This program is to assist
members residing within the Pilbara,
Gascoyne, Kimberley and Mid
West regions of WA as stated in the
Guiding Principles of the Trust Deed:
5.1 (1) - The foundation’s activities
are to be primarily focused on the
region and the majority of the benefits
of the foundation will be for the
benefit of those Traditional Owners
who reside in the region.
Members residing in these areas do
not have access to public transport
such as buses and trains and vehicle
repairs are far more costly within
these remote areas.
>
Language Group: Banyjima Innawonga Nyiyaparli
FUNDS REQUESTED:
GUMALA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
17.0
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Application Form
_____ / _____ / _____
MOBILE: HOME:
EMAIL:
ITEM
TOTAL $
AMOUNT
GAC Members can download the Country Vehicle Repair & Maintenance form from our
website: http://www.gumala.com.au/documents/
MEMBER SERVICES
To access this program you must be
actively looking for work. This will
be verified by Member Services. An
indicator of this would be to have
a job seeker number, be registered
with a Job Services Australia
(JSA) provider and attend regular
appointments with this JSA.
This program can also be accessed
if the member owns a business, is a
partner in a business or has a bona
fide vested interest in a business.
Further eligibility criteria are: where
the member is undertaking heritage
surveying on traditional lands and
resides in the above mentioned
regions for a period of 6 months
or more. Proof of eligibility will be
required. The maximum amount that
can be accessed from this program is
$1,000.
PERSONAL DETAILS
CHANGES
If you change your personal details
such as address or phone number
it is extremely important to let
GAC Member Services know. If we
do not have your current address
you may not be eligible to access
programs such as the Utilities
program, the Country Vehicle
Repair and Maintenance program or
the Telstra Bill Assistance program as
these accounts must show the same
address as we have in our system at
the time of the application.
In addition to this, if there is
important information to forward
to you and we do not have your
current address, then unfortunately
we cannot guarantee that you
will have the most up to date
information on programs, meetings
and payments etc. Please send in
your change of address in writing as
soon as you have relocated.
As with all GAC member programs,
if you need further information
please contact Member Services.
MEMBER SERVICES
PROCESSING
Member Services is once again
approaching the busiest time of
the year and is currently increasing
the number of Member Solutions
Officers in the Perth office.
These officers are vital in enabling
GAC to meet the needs of our
members and process the huge
amount of applications and queries
that GAC receives between July and
October.
From October until February GAC
is extremely busy with education
queries and processing. The months
of March until June are the quietest
in regards to applications, although
still very busy for Member Solution
Officers who are preparing for July.
During July and August I ask that
members be patient when making
applications. Member Solution
Officers work very hard during these
months as applications are over 100
per day.
In addition to the large volume of
applications, Member Solutions
Officers answer hundreds of calls per
day.
Applications will generally be
processed within 2 to 3 days
of being received by GAC. The
exception to this is applications for
urgent food and fuel particularly if
this is needed to attend funerals and
these will generally be processed the
day they are received if possible.
APPLICATIONS ON FRIDAYS
When making an application on a
Friday, please get your applications
to GAC well before 4.00pm
wherever possible. This will allow
the Member Solutions Officers
to process your request prior to
finishing for the weekend.
There is a large amount of behind
the scenes administration that is
needed to be completed prior to
processing an application. If urgent
applications reach GAC late on
Friday afternoon there is the chance
these may not be processed prior to
the office closing.
This applies in particular to Funeral
Travel applications where the funeral
Page 6
SUPPLIER DETAILS:
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 7
COMPANY NAME PHONE # FAX #
>
It makes no difference if you, the Member, are dealing with Member Services in our Perth
office (pictured here) or Tom Price office, all applications will get processed in the same
manner as they always have.
>

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
MEMBER SERVICES
is on the following Saturday. Please
remember to send these requests
into GAC in plenty of time to be
processed.
5 ways to assist your application
being processed more
efficiently:
1) Fill in the application form
completely, including a contact
number, supplier details and your
signature (GAC will NOT process
an application where the signature
cannot be verified)
2) Ensure there is a contactable
phone number on the application
3) Ensure to state WHERE
you need the purchase order for.
For example, Coles South Hedland.
GAC often receive applications with
no member contact details and no
supplier details – these requests
cannot be processed
4) Clearly state what your
requests are (Member Solutions
Officers can only process what they
are asked to process. Be clear with
your requests. A MSO can help you
with this)
5) Provide invoices as soon as
possible (GAC cannot process an
application without an invoice, if
applicable)
By following the above, your
requests and applications can be
processed more efficiently and it will
help to minimise errors.
HEALTH TIPS
With autumn here, change of season
colds and flu are likely to occur. To
minimise this risk: drink plenty of
water; eat a balanced diet including
all the 5 food groups every day, as
often as possible; eat plenty of fruit
and vegetables; increase your vitamin
C intake; and get plenty of sleep and
rest.
SUPPORT SERVICES
In the future Member Services will
be focusing more on improved
provision of service and support
for our members. This will occur in
many ways.
The Member Solutions Officers will
be there to provide information
and referrals to our members,
assist members with the completion
of forms and documents, assist
members with online registrations
and applications and other support
services.
BUSINESS AS USUAL IN
PERTH
I have recently relocated to the
Victoria Park office in Perth. This
office is extremely busy, very small
and filled to capacity. Within the
next two months we are scheduled
to move to GAC’s new office in
Are you a Gumala Member interested in doing a Gumala Traineeship?
If so, please send your current resume and a covering letter to:
Email: jobs@gumala.com.au
Gumala Traineeships
Post: PO Box 61, Tom Price, 6751
the Perth CBD. I want to emphasise
to members that no matter where
we are - in Tom Price or Perth - all
applications will get processed in the
same manner as they always have.
Services to members will continue as
they always have, although having
the additional space in the Tom Price
and Perth offices has allowed GAC
to look at extending the services we
provide to our members.
INTERESTING FACTS
To finish off this edition I would like
to leave you with some interesting
facts about WA and Perth:
Western Australia is the largest
state in Australia with an area of
2,525,500 square kilometres. Over
2 million people live in Western
Australia, and an amazing 1.5
million of these people choose to
live in the Perth metropolitan area.
Perth is the world’s most isolated
continental capital city.
Perth is closer to Jakarta (3007km),
the capital city of Indonesia, than
Australia’s own capital city of
Canberra (3905km by road). Perth
is the third windiest capital city in
the world.
The rugged Pilbara has a 2.5 billion
year old landscape and covering
some 500,000 square kilometres of
land.
Traineeship enquiries should be directed to our Acting Human Resources Manager (currently
Lisa Shields).
Please feel free to call our Tom Price office on 1800 486 252 or (08) 9188 4500 and
ask to speak to Lisa if you have any queries.
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
EDUCATION
New teaching program starts at
Gumala’s Early Childhood Centre
Children, parents and the new
teachers gathered for morning
tea at the Early Childhood Centre
in Wakuthuni Community in late
February to introduce the beginning
of the new “3A Project”.
Early Childhood Teacher Profiles
ROCHELLE HOOPER
Background:
When the kids arrived they were
immediately attracted to the
colourful, interactive books, laid out
on the bench filled with engaging
narrative and attractive pictures; red
play dough was set out on bright
Baby Alissa Rae Jones, pictured with her mother, Loretta Donalson at the Wakuthuni
Early Childhood Centre
I am originally from Perth, but spent
the previous 6 years in Kalgoorlie
and have only been living in Tom
Price for the past 18 months.
I will be teaching on Tuesday
and Wednesday at Wakuthuni. I
am passionate about this project
because it allows for parents to
make a profound impact on their
child’s future. I look forward to working with the community
and watching them bloom.
What do you hope to achieve in this role?
I hope to be able to empower the parents and children to be
life-long learners. I know this approach will really impact the
children of Wakuthuni. This will also make the transition to
the primary school smoother for kindergarten onwards. The
kids will get so much from this program. The warm, loving
interactions between child and their parents is beneficial. The
success of this project will impact their lives forever. I feel so
privileged to be part of this project.
MARY RICE
Background:
by Elly Lukale
blue tables surrounded by dolls
and other soft toys. The children
flipped through the pages pointing
out things they recognised and
played with puzzles. They were
engaged with the books and enjoyed
interacting with each other and the
parents, as they tried to help them
sound out words on the page.
Newly appointed teachers from
Tom Price Primary School, Mary
Rice and Rochelle Hooper, along
with local Wakuthuni resident
Joyce Drummond, will be running
the centre every day focusing on
Conversational Reading, Learning
Games and Enriched Care Giving.
GAC would like to express its
gratitude to Tom Price Primary School
for the assistance it has provided in
implementing the program and the
dedication and enthusiasm the teachers
have shown to the 3A Project.
I grew up in
Perth and I have
taught in Gairdner
River, Albany and
Kalgoorlie. My
husband and three
children moved to
Tom Price in 2003. I teach at Tom Price Primary
School and this is our 10th year teaching in Tom
Price.
I will be working Mondays, Thursdays and
Fridays. We (the teachers) will be introducing the
Abecedarian approach with the parents.
What do you hope to achieve in this role?
A sense of achievement and satisfaction that we
have provided an effective program which is well
researched. I hope the children will be involved in
a great program of Enriched Caregiving, Learning
Games and Conversational Reading.
Page 8 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 9

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
EDUCATION
3A (Australian
Abecedarian Approach)
Project Launched!
The early learning centre has opened
in Wakuthuni and we are so excited
to be able to offer parents and
children this wonderful program.
The program is being brought
to Gumala members through a
collaboration between GAC, Tom
Price Primary School and the
University of Melbourne.
The Abecedarian Approach is
based on over 30 years of research
into activities and care giving
routines that capitalise on children’s
interactions with their parents
and caregivers. The research from
this approach also highlights the
importance of the first five years of
a child’s life and providing activities
to improve children’s learning
outcomes in their later years.
This approach will build on all the
great things that as parents you
already do.
The centre will be open each
weekday from 9am to midday.
We encourage all parents in the
community and local area to come
along with your children and join in.
Gumala Aboriginal
Corporation’s (GAC’s)
Education Manager, Lynne
Beckingham, updates
the Members on what’s
happening in Education
All parents and children from birth
to five are welcome to come along
and engage in the daily fun activities
and food.
Each day there will be:
• Learning Games
• Conversational reading
• Meal times
The Learning Games are simple
and easy to play. These games are
designed to be played with whatever
items you have around.
EDUCATION
> Even though the games seem
pictures or touch interesting parts of
very simple they incorporate very the books. We will also be making
powerful learning tools and will help some of our own books containing
your child to experience success, community members and would
which is especially important for love some ideas and people to help
when they go to school.
with these. These books will be in
traditional language and English.
Conversational reading involves
children looking at and investigating There will also be healthy food,
books. It is important for young snacks and nappies provided each
children and babies to look at the day.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Please contact the teachers Mary
Rice and Rochelle Hooper at Tom
Price Primary School, or Lynne
Beckingham at Gumala’s Perth
office.
EDUCATION REMINDERS
We would like to let all parents and
students know that all education
applications now need to have a
completed education application
form attached.
This form is available to download
on our website or call the office and
we will send one to you.
A reminder to all scholarship
students that all requests will
now need to have a completed
application form attached before
they can be processed.
Here is an example of Learning Game 16.
Ride a Horsie
Scarlett Limerick and her mother Sargi Ahmat (Scarlett’s
father is Gumala Member Daniel Limerick)
Jaidah Limerick
Flights need to be booked at least
a month ahead and will only be
approved for non-schooling periods.
Gumala only pays for a maximum of
2 flights a year.
Students need to utilise either
ABSTUDY or The Student
Subsidised Travel Scheme to pay for
all other flights.
The Student Subsidised scheme
provides primary and secondary and
tertiary students with four return
flights a year.
You can find information at the
website:
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/
aboutus/19683.asp
Babies love games which use movement and rhythm. For this game you hold your baby on your
lap. As you say a rhyme gently bounce your baby to the rhythm of the words. You can do a special
action on the same one or two words in the rhyme and see if your baby notices (eg bounce your
baby high). Your baby will learn to look forward to certain words and the matching action. Make
sure your baby can see your happy face and you can see what your baby is feeling – The Creative
Curriculum - learning games,24-36 months, by Joseph Sparling and Isabelle Lewis
>
Shyla Limerick
pictured with
teacher Mary Rice.
Young Harmony
Chad is in the
background
Or contact:
Ph: 13 1300 660 147
Fax: 9218 3661
Email: travel.subsidies@transport.
wa.gov.au
Page 10 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 11

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
Rio Tinto awards
Yandi contract to
Gumala Contracting
Following on from a highly successful
2011 Financial Year, which included
the awarding of a number of multimillion
dollar contracts, Gumala
Contracting has been awarded a
Yandi contract by Rio Tinto Iron
Ore.
A successful division of Gumala
Enterprises Pty Ltd (the business arm
of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation),
Gumala Contracting was awarded
the Yandi Sustaining Project – Early
Implementation Works – in January
2012.
The scope of works consists of
miscellaneous earthworks and
services.
Other recent contracts awarded
by Rio Tinto Iron Ore to Gumala
Contracting include the West
Angeles Camp Expansion contract
for Earthworks (construction of earth
pads, access roads and associated
drainage works) and the Brockman 4
Low Grade Ore Pilot Plant contract
(construction of pad for the low
grade ore pilot plant).
Prior to that, Gumala Contracting
carried out the Paraburdoo
Explosives Compound Security
Upgrade Project for Rio Tinto Iron
Ore, consisting of earthworks,
drainage, fencing, security system
supply and installation and associated
electrical works.
Gumala Member and Gumala Contracting employee Ken Ingie Jr
Your community radio station. Tune in now!
Bellary 101.7 FM
Roebourne 102.9 FM
Onslow 102.7 FM
Wakuthuni 104.9 FM
Youngaleena 102.1 FM
Tom Price 106.5 FM
Paraburdoo 102.9 FM
Successful
audition
for talented
Gumala
musician
– By Elly Lukale
Gumala would like to congratulate
David Ward who has been accepted
into The Centre for Aboriginal
Studies in Music (CASM) at the
University of Adelaide to pursue his
passion in music as a guitarist. The
nineteen year old taught himself to
play the guitar from an early age
and says it is his dream to become a
musician.
“Music has been around me for
a long time and I’ve always been
playing the guitar.’’
After successfully completing two
rounds of auditions in Adelaide,
David was accepted into the CASM
Foundation Year Program for 2012,
which is a stepping stone into the
Diploma in Aboriginal Studies in
Music Program and Advanced
Diploma in Music.
“I wanna become a performing artist
and perform around Australia,”
David said.
The course aims to help prepare
Indigenous musicians for a
professional career in the music
industry. Students also acquire
educational and cultural knowledge
and skills that they can bring back
to their communities. A showcase
CD is released by CASM each year,
displaying some of the musical
talents of the students.
David: “If you wanna follow your
dreams, follow it, nothing to be
ashamed about.”
If you or your child is wishing to
pursue a career in music or other arts
please contact the Gumala Education
Department to discuss financial
assistance for Tertiary or Scholarship
Programs.
Housing Strategy remains on
track – agreements secured
with Foundation Housing and
Melbourne University
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation has taken significant steps to deliver upon
its housing strategy with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with Foundation Housing.
FOUNDATION HOUSING AGREEMENT
The agreement outlines the future role of Foundation Housing in managing
GAC houses once they are built. Foundation Housing will also play a key role
in assisting GAC in developing important policies and procedures with regards
to the maintenance of the houses and tenancy management.
GAC’s Housing Strategy is progressing well. With regards to the 10 lots of
land in South Hedland, GAC is expected to award the contract for the design
and construction of the houses in the next couple of months.
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP
GAC has joined with Melbourne University for the delivery of the 7 houses in
Tom Price. Melbourne University are focussed on building ‘homes’, not just
houses, by engaging with members to better understand social and economic
considerations as they relate to housing.
It is hoped that together with Melbourne University, GAC will be able to
create a model of housing delivery that can be considered ‘best practice’ in
the field of Indigenous social housing.
TOM PRICE ELDERLY COMPLEX ON TRACK
Meanwhile, the Tom Price Elderly Complex project is also on track. Gumala
is about to begin the procurement process to find a builder to construct the
complex.
The project will deliver 1 and 2 bedroom cottages for up to 14 Gumala
Elders as well as a day centre and accommodation for a resident caretaker.
The complex will be constructed on vacant land on the corner of Mine Rd
and Hospital Drive. The land is to be gifted to Gumala by Rio Tinto.
Good news for Gumala Members
interested in establishing their own
businesses.
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation has
appointed a Business Development
Manager, who will be responsible for
assisting members with developing
their business ideas, producing
Lore
Time
Traditional Lore ceremonies
took place this summer
at Gumala’s Lore Camps
at Cane River and
Youngaleena, as well as
other nominated sites
around the Pilbara.
Some Lore Camp upgrades
were completed by Gumala
Aboriginal Corporation
(GAC) beforehand.
Most Gumala Lore Camps
will be undergoing further
upgrades this year, in the
lead-up to Lore Time next
summer.
GAC wishes to acknowledge
our Elders and other
Members who provided
their guidance and assistance
during Lore Time.
Congratulations to all
the ‘young boys’ who
went through the lore
ceremonies, becoming
‘young men’.
Good news if you are thinking of
starting up a business
comprehensive business plans,
seeking external funding where
applicable and offering long term
support for these businesses once
started.
USEFUL TIPS
Some useful tips about running
your own small business are
contained in the latest edition of the
Federal Government’s “Indigenous
Newslines” publication.
You can download the publication
by visiting their website
www.indigenous.gov.au and clicking
on the Indigenous Newslines
January-April-2012 link.
Page 12 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 13

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
Shaka Bagadu Cook
… the paradox
Gumala Member inducted into
WA Women’s Hall of fame
“This journey of mine has been long and difficult. It has not been easy at all. The year 2008 was one of the worst
years of my life, I lost my loved ones and my heart ached and it still aches to this very day.
I was in year 12 doing TEE subjects and exams when my mind, my heart and my spirit disintegrated. I missed out
on a lot of things to do with my culture and my people. I suffered because of how much time I missed out with
my family, my people and my culture.
You think that this is what I wanted, you think that this is my passion, to perform and act and be away from
home. I didn’t ask for this. Everything that I have done since high school has never been for myself. The choices I
made and the sacrifices I have had to make I did it all for my people and the people in the world that know what
it’s like to struggle in life.
Many times in the last 5 years, it would have been easy to just give up and go home, be comfortable, be safe. But
what would that accomplish. What would that say?
I have pushed through the hard times and I know there are still more to come, but I won’t stop fighting. Many
times I have felt alone feeling as if I am the only one in my area facing the world trying to make a difference. It’s
hard. But I refuse to give in.” – Shaka Cook
Shaka Cook has come a long way
since completing year 12, four years
ago at the Senior High School in
Tom Price. Now studying in Sydney
and at the end of his three year
degree at the National Institute
of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Shaka
is preparing to graduate with a
Bachelor of Dramatic Art in Acting.
There are many demands and
challenges in acting.
“As an actor I have learnt that no
matter what you do as long as you
are truthful and honest in how you
put yourself into what you are doing
you can move people including
yourself. It is a hard thing to
describe,” Shaka said.
During his time at NIDA, Shaka
studied acting techniques,
performance history, arts and ideas,
movement [stage combat, ballet,
jazz, tap dance], music, theatre,
singing, film and TV.
With a busy schedule, he is in
class from 9am to 6pm Monday
to Friday, and uses the weekends
to rest, while always preparing for
classes for the following week. On
top of all his classes, each term, the
students must prepare for different
public performances which demands
a lot of extra rehearsal time,
including some weekends and some
days where they don’t finish until 11
o’clock at night.
Shaka has participated in many
different plays, including Russian,
Australian, American and
Shakespearean works.
“Even though the language of
Shakespeare’s time seems difficult at
first, I found it’s just like doing any
other play. It is important to tell the
story and to be honest. All you have
to do is to know what you are saying
and why you are saying it. You need
to be truthful and understand what is
happening in the world of the play.
It’s just life,” explains Shaka.
‘I love playing characters that have
a great journey in the world of the
play, that are strong in their own
ways and that can always surprise
you at any moment in time. I love
film and working on film. I think it is
the one I feel most comfortable with
and it pushes you to get better and
better with every take that you do,
to never fall back and always keep
pushing beyond your limit.”
Mentor and friend, Debbie Douglass
says his commitment and talent has
impressed his lecturers.
Shaka says he is looking forward to
completing his degree and having
some time to catch up with friends
and family, to visit people he has
not seen in a long time. As for the
future, he would like to get into
film and become more involved in
his lore and culture and continue to
make a difference.
When asked whether he would
consider moving back to the Pilbara,
Shaka: “Of course, it is my home
– it will always be my home, no
matter where my journey takes me.
I have never felt as if I have moved
anywhere, even though I have lived
in Perth and am in Sydney now. My
home is where my heart is and that
is where my family is.” – By Elly Lukale
Gumala Member and Nyiyiparli
Traditional Owner Jahna Cedar
has received the prestigious honour
of being inducted into the WA
Women’s Hall of Fame.
Announced on March 8 (which
is International Women’s Day),
Jahna is one of an elite group of 10
inductees in 2012.
Awarded by the National Committee
for UN Women in Australia (one of
18 National Committees globally),
Jahna told Gumala News that her
current goals include continuing
the fight for equality for Aboriginal
people.
“I also want to continue inspiring
and motivating Indigenous people to
achieve their goals and aspirations,”
she said.
Jahna added that she is planning to
apply for scholarships to complete
her MBA at university.
At age 28, Jahna is 2012’s youngest
Hall of Fame inductee. She has
dedicated her adult life to helping
Indigenous people find employment,
especially in the Pilbara region.
The mother of two was selected last
year to represent Australia at the
UN Commission on the Status of
Women.
She has also sat on various
Committees and Boards and
was chosen as the under 18s
representative on the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Commission
delegation that attended the UN
third preparatory committee for the
special session on children in 2001.
Jahna grew up in Marble Bar and
recently relocated with her family
from South Hedland to Perth.
Jahna Cedar (Nyiyaparli) pictured alongside her mother, Lisa Hirini
(Nyiyaparli) at the induction ceremony on March 8, 2012
GAC appreciates letter of thanks!
From time to time, Members write to us with letters of thanks. Kenneth
Goldie emailed us late last year with one such letter... but we had no room
to squeeze it into the Christmas edition of our newsletter. Our apologies,
Kenneth! The contents of his email are copied below.
To the Director and all of the Gumala Mob. My name is Ken Goldie. The reason
I write to the foundation is to say thank you for the assistance with the health &
well being programme. Also the ancilliary health care which has been a god send
with a few teeth that needed doing, and to be able to purchase a few white goods
as well with the health & well being programme.
I have read all of the minutes of all of the meetings etc, which I have not been
able to attend with me living in the N.T. After reading the minutes and motions
put forward I believe Gumala is heading in the right direction and we have the
drive and energy to be strong and proud of our achievements and move further
ahead to show what our people can do.
I am so proud to be a member of the mighty Gumala mob. I was born at
Ashburton Downs station in 1946 and taken to Sister Kate’s Orphanage in Perth
aged 4 and now nearly ready to retire even though I feel very young at heart.
My sister Nancy Ashburton and brother Claude Cox are also members. I don’t see
them much, but with my retirement from my work place looming I hope to be
able to get a bus or plane to get back to the mighty Pilbara to reconnect with my
land and people and to see the old Tom Price mine. I was a part of the opening up
of the mine to begin, as a heavy equipment operator on top of that mountain.
Thank you to all of the people behind the scenes to make this dream come true
for us all. Kenneth Goldie, Innawonga man.
Page 14 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 15

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
Wakuthuni clean-up day a
big success for the whole
community
A very successful community cleanup
day took place at Wakuthuni
community in late February.
Organised by GAC’s Project Officer
- Community Development, Kerry
Kessner, about 20 people from
the community, including children,
helped with the clean-up.
Kerry said she wished to thank
all who took part in the clean-up,
including Joyce Drummond for
all her hard work (such as driving
the truck!).
Kerry: “Thanks also to Abel,
who had already done a lot
of work just prior to the main
clean up day (Saturday 25th
February).
A big thank you goes out to
Leroy Cook for all his hard work
cleaning up the grass and shrubbery,
and to Sam Donaldson and Devina
Ranger, who cooked the lunches.
“An enormous thank you to
everyone that helped out. It was a
successful and rewarding venture.
“The community was really clean at
the end of it, so the hard work was
well and truly worth it.”
Young champion boxers gain the
respect of a boxing legend
Champion boxers Jayden Hansen
(Gumala Member, aged 19) and his
brother Julian Jeakings (aged 13)
have again covered themselves with
glory, this time at the Australian
National Championships in Hobart.
Julian was crowned gold medallist,
while Jayden missed out by a hairs
breath on 2012 London Olympics
selection by finishing in third place
(he needed to finish first or second).
Jayden fought older and more
experienced Olympic Games and
Commonwealth Games boxers, but
boxed incredibly well. He missed
out on the final – and the 2012
Olympic Games – by just two
points.
Jayden and Julian also had the
honour of meeting former heavy
weight boxing champion Joe Bugner
in Perth in March. “Aussie Joe” was
so impressed by the young boxing
duos’ list of title wins, that he went
out of his way to give the boys a
photo personally autographed by
himself and Muhammad Ali. The
photo is of Bugner and Ali in the
boxing ring (he fought for the world
heavyweight championship in 1975,
losing on points in a second bout
with Ali).
Jayden and Julian are the sons of
Gumala Member and Employee,
Paula White. Paula, and her husband
Ben, are their sons biggest supporters
and are very proud of what they
have achieved. Gumala Aboriginal
Corporation provides financial
support through scholarship funding
assistance.
Kerry Kessner and Joyce Drummond during the community clean-up
Joyce in the driver’s seat of the Gumala tipper truck
Images of Jayden
Hansen and
Julian Jeakings
hanging out with
with one of their
boxing heros,
former heavy
weight champion
Joe Bugner,
during his visit to
Perth in March
2012
Sam Donaldson and Devina Ranger preparing lunch
Around 20 people from the community, including some of
the children, took part in the clean-up. Pictured are Blake
Cook, Louwena James, Parys Cook and Kyam Cook
Page 16 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 17

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
Chris’ mum is GAC Member Tarwonia Dooler
Interested in working for
Gumala?
Any Gumala Members who are interested in working at Gumala
Aboriginal Corporation on a full time, part time or casual basis,
should email their resumes and a covering letter to: jobs@gumala.
com.au. Our HR department maintains an up-to-date database of
candidates. Specific Gumala job vacancies are advertised on our
website from time to time: www.gumala.com.au/careers.
Chris
Donaldson
4 years old
Has started
school this
year!
Stolen
Generations
website
launched
A Stolen Generations’ testimonies
website has been launched to mark
the fourth Anniversary of the
National Apology.
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs,
Jenny Macklin, launched the website
in mid-February during a morning
tea with a handful of members of the
Stolen Generations.
The website has recorded the lives
and experiences of some members
of the Stolen Generation, who have
shown great strength and courage
in sharing their moving stories.
One of the aims of the initiative is
to encourage more Australians to
engage in the healing process.
The website is a response to the
Federal Government’s recognition
that for members of the Stolen
Generations, healing is a continuing
process that requires ongoing
support and understanding.
The National Apology was a
significant moment in our nation’s
history, but work needs to continue
to heal the wounds of past practices,
including the forced removals of
Aboriginal children from their
families.
The Stolen Generations’ Testimonies
project involves recording on film the
personal testimonies of Australia’s
Stolen Generations Survivors and
sharing them online.
Gumala Members who were
members of the Stolen Generations
are encouraged to visit the website
and share their testimonies.
The website address is www.
stolengenerationstestimonies.
com. If you would like to share
your testimony or have any
inquiries, please email info@
stolengenerationstestimonies.com.
Scam reminder to members
Gumala community announcement regarding Scams:
if it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam!
With the advance of technology and the internet as an easy means of communication, scam artists from around the
world are using any method to make money.
Internet and emails scams are one of the most efficient tools for scammers and you may receive them by post as well; a
letter written to you, from someone in another country or even Australia claiming that you are entitled to thousands of
dollars ONLY if you do something BEFORE they give you the money. Below is an example I received in my email:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner, I found your
listed in the Trade Centre Chambers of Commerce directory here in Japan, I
find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business of $40 Million
United States Dollars , I only pray at this time that your address is still
valid. I want to this solicit your attention to receive this money on my
behalf. The purpose of my contacting you is because my status would not
permit me to do this alone. When you reply this message, I will send you
the full details and more information about myself and the funds. If
interested, please reply through my alternate Email:
mr.suzukitakuyayuki2@w.cn
Mr.Suzuki Takuya Yuki.
(Head of Account Dept, Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank,
Tokyo, Japan)
Signs that the above is a scam:
1. Most of the time they don’t know your name.
2. They begin by telling you that you are entitled to a large amount of money.
3. They want your personal details ie. Address, bank account details.
4. They will only give you more information about how to get the money if you reply.
How to protect yourself from Scams:
• Do not give out your bank details or any other personal information to people you do not know- If you are
unsure, do not respond.
• Never click on any links in an email if you are not familiar with the person or company that sent it- sometimes
scammers will pretend to be a popular company (eg. Apple) and get you to click on a link to take you to another web
page.
• Don’t respond if you don’t feel it’s genuine.
• Always check your bank statement for transactions that you did not make.
• Only open emails that you are familiar with.
For more information on how to detect a scam, please visit the following Government website:
www.scamwatch.gov.au
– by Elly Lukale
Page 18 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 19

GUMALA NEWS MEMBERS EDITION, MARCH 2012
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Staff Profile
Member Solutions Officer
Debbie Eatwell
1. What is your favourite food?
Italian, pasta with tomato,egg plant
and garlic with red wine.
2. What is your ideal holiday
destination and why?
Anywhere different to where I live,
a different culture e.g. Last year I
travelled to Vietnam and it was very
different to what I expected.
3. Name three people that you would
like to be stranded on an island with?
Antonia Banderas, Richard Gere and
my husband Danny.
4. Who do you most admire and why?
I admire any strong women who
overcome adversity and never give
up.
5. What do people like about you?
Ultimately, I’m a loyal person.
6. What would you change about
yourself, if you could?
The ageing process (laughs) and I
tend to worry too much.
7. Why do you enjoy working in
Member Services?
I enjoy it because it’s challenging
and I am interacting with different
personalities. Its job satisfaction
providing opportunities to help
others... and I also enjoy being with
my work mates.
8. Any tips for members?
To avoid delays in processing your
application (especially during periods
like back to school) please try not to
send your application in at the last
minute.
– by Elly Lukale
GUMALA
Aboriginal
Corporation
ICN 2744
Page 20
Head Office:
1 Stadium Road, Tom Price
Western Australia
Postal Address: PO Box 61
Tom Price, Western Australia 6751
Phone: 1800 486252
(1800 GUMALA)
Fax: (08) 9188 1846
Perth Office:
Suite 5, 439 Albany Hwy
Victoria Park 6100
PO Box 528, Victoria Park 6100
Phone: (08) 9423 4500
Fax: (08) 9361 1622
Email: gac@gumala.com.au
Web: www.gumala.com.au
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation