Dear friends and colleagues,
A wonderful year
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| Jan Ferguson - Managing Director Ninti One Limited |
2011 has been a wonderful year for Ninti One Limited. We have consolidated its business activity, set the CRC for Remote Economic Participation (CRC-REP) on its path to success, trained and employed 36 Aboriginal Community Researchers, established operational systems to support the business and research activity of the company and recruited some marvellous staff.
The highlight of our working year was establishing the CRC-REP, which now has 57 highly supportive partners and 8 major research programs which have just received Board approval, following an extensive consultation process with partners and stakeholders. My sincere thanks to all those who contributed to this process – we deeply value your experience and advice.
The Ninti One brand is now firmly established and becoming widely recognised as synonymous with research quality and commitment to remote Australia. We are well positioned to continue to diversify the business and to generate real returns on the investment from the intellectual property we manage.
We are also pleased to report some highly promising outcomes are emerging from the monitoring and evaluation work in the Australian Feral Camel Management Project. For the first time, we have a clear idea of the impact of camels on resources such as water, and the effect this can have on stock and native wildlife.
I’d like to express my warmest thanks to all those whose hard work, dedication and passion are making remote Australia a more prosperous and sustainable place: to our stimulating Board, my dedicated and hardworking management team, and especially to our talented and highly committed staff. Thanks to all of you for making this such a great place to work. At a recent meeting when we discussed what sets our organisation apart from others, teamwork and a passion for what we do were the factors most frequently mentioned by participants.
My very best wishes of the season to you all. Relax, enjoy your families and friends and return refreshed and invigorated. We look forward to 2012 being a year of creativity, consolidation and growth - personal as well as organisational - and to working closely with you.
Our offices will be closed from 23 December 2011 until 9 January 2012, and the next issue of NintiNews will be published in early February. back to top
Ninti One’s founding Chair retires
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| Paul Wand - Founding Chair Ninti One Limited |
It is with the deepest sense of appreciation for his inspiring leadership over the years that I announce that our Chair, Paul Wand, has decided to retire from the Board of Ninti One effective March 31, 2012. Paul has chaired the Board of the Desert Knowledge CRC and Ninti One since July 2003. Throughout that period he has been a constant source of vision, understanding, sage counsel and corporate experience to guide us, inspire us and keep us on track. On behalf of all Board members, past and present, and the many researchers and staff who have worked with the three institutions, I wish to say, “Thank you, Paul – you have no idea how much we respect, value and cherish the leadership you have provided.”
To all those who know him, Paul is a quiet man of strongly held convictions that have guided him over the years as one of the most effective advocates for a better future and a fairer go for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and a staunch advocate for all the communities, industries and citizens of desert and remote Australia. He was instrumental in introducing the enlightened policies at Rio Tinto that have helped reshape relations between the mining industry and Aboriginal communities for the better, and he brought the same ideals and vision to his work with the CRCs and Ninti One. His contribution has been immeasurable and his guidance will be sadly missed.
There is a formal process for finding a new chair for the Ninti One Board, and this is now under-way. back to top
Desert livelihoods
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Prof John Milne, Sally Leigo, Netta Milne inspect a historic |
The new editor-in-chief of The Rangeland Journal, Professor John Milne, visited Alice Springs to participate in a CSIRO lecture series and to find out about the research program for CRC-REP. His visit was timely as the next issue of The Rangeland Journal is the third special issue featuring Ninti One research and has been guest edited by Prof. Murray McGregor and Dr Craig James. John was keen to see and learn about central Australia during his visit and travelled out to the Department of Resources research farm to view the Remote Livestock Management System and learn about the Precision Pastoral Management Tools Project from Sally Leigo. We look forward to an ongoing and strong collaboration with The Rangeland Journal and thank John for his visit.
The Rangeland Journal can be found at:
www.publish.csiro.au/journals/trj
Building business
In recent months I’ve been nominated to work alongside some of the leading lights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business community as a member of the Federal Government’s new Indigenous Business Advisory Policy Group. The task of the group is to give the Government, through the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, until recently Mark Arbib and now Julie Collins, independent advice on how to support and grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business economy – which is, of course, also core business for Ninti One and CRC-REP.
At the first meeting Senator Arbib noted that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses were a fast-developing and important sector of the Australian economy. “Indigenous businesses are vital to driving Indigenous economic development,” he says. “Not only do they help to build individual and community wealth, but they are strong employers of Indigenous Australians as well.”
“Successful Indigenous businesses also provide role models and leadership to aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. The job of this group will be to look at ways to drive their success, including dealing with government and the private sector, providing information to the Indigenous sector and maximising the benefits of recent changes to the government procurement process.”
I believe these contacts will be invaluable to our work, both in terms of achieving our research goals, and in securing early adoption and real impact from our research outcomes and findings.
More information: http://ministers.deewr.gov.au/arbib/expert-advice-boost-indigenous-enterprise
Aboriginal Community Researcher Profile
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| Anna Marie Armstrong - Senior Community Researcher |
This month we profile senior community researcher Anna Marie Armstrong, a Western Arrarnta woman living at Ntaria. Anna Marie’s role in the Ntaria Community Research team builds on her diverse experience in outstation and resource centre administration, coordination and organisation. She speaks Western Arrarnta, Luritja, Eastern Arrernte and English.
Her main interest is in working with people in the community, and keeping the Western Arrarnta families and culture strong. This has led her to work in some interesting jobs and to undertake formal study in a range of fields of value to her community, such as educational roles and responsibilities, alcohol and drugs, school nutrition, childcare, pre-school and aged care. She has worked as the local census co-ordinator and as an agent for the Commonwealth Bank.
Anna Marie is on the Ninti One Ntaria research team for Strengthening Community Participation in Remote Service Delivery (FaHCSIA). She has extended her work with us at Ntaria and at Ali Curung for the IHAS 2030 survey (NT Government) and has written and undertaken a survey of Ntaria residents for MacDonnell Shire Council Child Care Service. Anna Marie is also a Ninti One Ntaria evaluator of the pilot Local Cultural Awareness Program (FaHCSIA) for government staff hosted at Ntaria. She travelled with other Ninti One researchers to Yulara for a combined peer presentation with the community research team from Amata and participated in a workshop at Hamilton Downs with the team from Yuendumu.
Anna Marie likes listening to country music and her favourite movie at the moment is Troy. When she’s not working, she says the thing she most likes to do is to go out bush with the kids and other people to cook up some kangaroo tails. She adds that after that she likes to come home and clean up the house. back to top
Research greenlight
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| Ninti One Limited December Board Meeting |
At its December meeting the Ninti One Board approved the following research programs:
- Population Mobility and Labour Markets
- Climate Change Adaptation, Energy Futures and Carbon Economies
- Aboriginal Cultural Enterprise
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Economies
- Plant Business
- Remote Education Systems
- Interplay Between Health, Wellbeing, Education and Employment
- Precision Pastoralism Management Tools
This means the bulk of the research activity of CRC-REP is now truly off and running – a marvellous moment in the life of any CRC – and it is full steam ahead so far as our hard-working project leaders are concerned.
The Board and the Ninti One Executive Leadership (Murray McGregor, Kevin Williams, Mark Ashley, Donna Anthes and myself) also took part in an invigorating retreat in early December to consider our progress to date and plan our way ahead in 2012 and beyond. back to top
Fresh faces
The early phase of a new CRC is always exciting as fresh talent comes on board, enthusiasm is high and research teams begin to develop their rhythm. I’m delighted to welcome the following:
- Dr Boyd Blackwell has been appointed as Research Officer on the Enduring Community Value from Mining Project, based at the University of New England. He started in November.
- Damien Jacobsen has been promoted to Principal Research Leader for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Product project, effective January 1, 2012.
- Dr Melodie Bat is appointed Senior Researcher for our Remote Education Systems Project, based at Charles Darwin University in Alice Springs. Melodie will start on January 16, 2012.
- Dr Eva McRae-Williams from Batchelor Institute will be working as a Research Officer on the Pathways to Employment Project. Eva will be starting on January9, 2012. back to top
CRC impact
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has asked the Allen Consulting Group to carry out an impact study to assess the economic, social and environmental impact of the CRC program. An important task of this survey is to verify and measure the benefits end users have derived from their involvement with CRCs.
It is possible that someone from the Allen Consulting Group may contact you with a few questions.I ask for your kind support in providing input for the study, which will be important in demonstrating the merits of the CRC program and the national value of the public investment in it.
This survey follows an economic impact study conducted by Insight Economics in 2006. The 2006 study found that for every public dollar invested in the program, Australia's total wealth is $1.16 higher than it would otherwise have been. This report can be found on the CRC website at: www.crc.gov.au. If you have any queries about the new survey, please contact Kris Browne on 02 6213 7177 or crc.program@innovation.gov.au
Artistic touch
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| Tim Acker - Project Research Leader for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Economies |
Tim Acker, our energetic Project Research Leader for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Economies, attended the Indigenous Business, Corporations and Entrepreneurship Conference run by the University of WA Business School Centre for Social Impact recently. Tim was part of a small panel session on 'Building thriving communities through Indigenous business enterprises' and also helped facilitate a round table on 'the business of Indigenous art', a topic he knows a great deal about. More info: http://www.business.uwa.edu.au/research/conferences/forum
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors
Damien Jacobsen recently attended the first ever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Academic Doctors’ Forum at the Australian National University. The Forum brought together, for the first time, a large number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD Graduates from a range of fields of research and from across Australia to share their personal higher education journeys with each other. It explored student experiences in gaining their doctorates, research training aspects, pathways to research careers and enabled attendees to share ideas on what works and possible ways to improve access and participation. back to top
Partner Profile:
Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi is Luritja language for "doing good work with families", which exactly captures the mission and ideals of this highly valued partner of CRC-REP. The Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation is a community-based organisation, working with Aboriginal families in remote central Australia and the APY lands in South Australia.
Waltja is overseen by a Board of Directors who are all Aboriginal women, and who share the aim of improving outcomes for families. Its philosophy is based on the collective wish of women who want to share their histories, stories and their visions across the Central Desert communities to create one voice for the good of all. Waltja’s corporate philosophy revolves around the leadership of strong Aboriginal women, families, and support for community self-management, self-determination and better services in communities.
The organisation has five main goals: helping people know; working together; good ways to do things; new ways to do things; and better help for families. Its logo (above) depicts people moving and working between communities, sharing knowledge and improving service delivery.
More information: http://www.waltja.org.au/default/home.html or Sharijn King, 08 8953 4488.
Ninti One and Waltja are currently working together to update our Aboriginal Knowledge and Intellectual Property Protocol Community Guide to be used as a resource for Ninti One and CRC-REP researchers. back to top
New opportunity
The CRC-REP is seeking applications for a Principal Research Leader for the Climate Change Adaptation, Energy Futures and Carbon Economies in Remote Australia project. For more information see link below.
http://crc-rep.com/news/seeking-principal-research-leader
MERI meeting
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| Peter See from Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa presents at the MERI review |
In early November representatives from partners in the Australian Feral Camel Management Project met in Adelaide to review the monitoring and evaluation processes within the project, reports AFCMP Manager Monitoring & Evaluation, Andy Bubb.
The MERI (monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement) day featured a range of presenters who outlined the various types of monitoring now being carried out including vegetation, fauna and aquatic monitoring, and social outcomes of the program such as employment and capacity building. The event provided an opportunity for project partners to share information between agencies and build on the successes experienced in other areas. Extending the information presented to the MERI Review to a wider audience will be undertaken in 2012. back to top
Partner profile: NTCA
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The Northern Territory Cattlemens Association (NTCA) is the peak pastoral industry association in the NT, representing its largest food sector and more than 90% of pastoral operations in the Territory, from small family operations to large corporate businesses. Branches are located in the Top End, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. The NCTA plays an active role as one of the 19 partners in the Australian Feral Camel Management Project, which is supported by the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program.
The Association recognises that long-term survival of its industry is intrinsically linked to good land management practices, where conservation and production go hand in glove. “The NT cattle industry is in the enviable position of being one of the most environmentally friendly, low impact, green and clean food production systems in the world. Modern, efficient operations mean our land will continue to support food production for generations to come,” it says.
Cattle producer Liz Bird is the NTCA’s representative on the Steering Committee for the Australian Feral Camel Management Project (as well as President of the NT State Council of the Isolated Children's Parents' Association). “I’m pleased to represent the NTCA on the feral camel project because the control of all feral animals is a very important issue for our industry,” she says. “As business managers and land carers we are keenly aware of our responsibility when it comes to improving and protecting the natural environment in which our livestock graze from weeds and feral animals, like camels.”
More information: http://www.ntca.org.au/our_partners/index.html
Camel campaigners
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| Liz Bird |
Liz Bird and her husband David run 3,000 head of cattle on the 3,000 km2 Indiana station, located just north of the Simpson Desert in the Northern Territory, where feral camels are a big issue. “People in the city or overseas wouldn’t appreciate the damage a mob of feral camels can do to fences, vegetation and waterholes unless they saw it for themselves,” Liz says.
“We’ve had some relief over the past 18 months with such incredible rains, but we also know that as the landscape dries out and temperatures rise again, we’ll have the problem of feral camels and their damage to contend with.”
“Like many pastoralists, we’d be pleased if there was a consistent and viable commercial industry to take the camels and use the meat and the other by-products, but that isn’t the case,” she says.
“The Australian Feral Camel Management Project will allow landholders to take back some control over their lands. Millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure and much time has been spent trying to manage these animals; this has been very costly and heartbreaking in the past 20 years. An approach across all lands and states is needed to really make some impact in reducing the numbers to a manageable level,” Liz says. back to top
With best wishes for an enjoyable break and a successful 2012,
Jan Ferguson
Managing Director,
Ninti One Ltd
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Publications
Campbell D. 2011. Application of an integrated multidisciplinary economic welfare approach to improved wellbeing through Aboriginal caring for country. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 365-372.
Campbell D. 2011. A multiplicity of national economic benefits through the actions of Aboriginal people in caring for country. AGLC Lunchtime Seminar Series invitation, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra, 16 November.
Carson D and Carson D. 2011. Why tourism may not be everybody's business: the challenge of tradition in resource peripheries. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 373-383.
Davies J, Campbell D, Campbell M, Douglas J, Hueneke H, LaFlamme M, Pearson D, Preuss K, Walker J and Walsh F. 2011. Attention to four key principles can promote health outcomes from desert Aboriginal land management. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 395-416.
Ganter E. 2011. Representatives in orbit: livelihood options for Aboriginal people in the administration of the Australian desert. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 385-393.
Haslam McKenzie F. 2011. Attracting and retaining skilled and professional staff in remote locations of Australia. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 353-363.
Haslam McKenzie F. 2011. Resource Boom Times: Building Better Towns and Cities in Remote Places. State of Australian Cities Conference, Melbourne.
LaFlamme M. 2011. A framework for sustainable rangeland livelihoods. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 339-351.
Maru Y and Davies J. 2011. Supporting cross-cultural brokers is essential for employment among Aboriginal people in remote Australia. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 327-338.
McGregor M and James C. 2011. Livelihoods in desert Australia. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): i-v.
Pittock B. 2011. Co-benefits of large-scale renewables in remote Australia: energy futures and climate change. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 315-325.
Turner D, Ostendorf B and Lewis M. 2012. A comparison of NOAA AVHRR fire data with three Landsat datasets in arid and semi-arid Australia. International Journal of Remote Sensing 33(9).
Walsh F and Douglas J. 2011. No bush foods without people: the essential human dimension to the sustainability of trade in native plant products from desert Australia. The Rangeland Journal 33(4): 395-416.
Remote diary
2nd Indigenous Leadership Conference
February 15, 2012 - February 17, 2012
March 28, 2012 – March 29, 2012
May 15, 2012 - May 17, 2012
International Rural Network World Forum
September 24, 2012 - September 28, 2012
