Indigenous Community Volunteers

A community in the Northern Peninsula Area of Cape York is in the process of designing and building a community park including a range of elements from innovative playgrounds to barbecues and mosaic artworks based on traditional children’s stories.

The park is being designed by the community through a highly participatory process and as a result there is a high degree of ownership by the community.

It would be great if the volunteers had previously worked in Indigenous communities and more specifically with CDEP participants.

The project will commence in May / June and the volunteers will be required for approximately eight weeks. The volunteers will be housed in appropriate accommodation in the community.

The community requires the following volunteers:

2972N/10 a builder or carpenter to assist in the construction side of the park. (“all abilities” playground, barbecues etc).

2973N/10 a concreter to assist in the development of the park, particularly in construction and concreting of footpaths.

2974N/10 a construction manager to oversee the park construction. Ideally the volunteer will have experience with earthworks.

2975N/10 an electrician to assist in the construction of the park.

2976N/10 a plumber to assist in the construction of the park.

An Indigenous woman in Cairns is looking for a volunteer to assist her in developing a business plan for a business concept involving the use of local/natural ingredients in the development of skin care products.

The volunteer would ideally be a female with experience in business planning/establishment and management of small business and interest and/or experience in the health and well being industry.

Ideally the volunteer would be local to Cairns or alternatively prepared to do most of the work remotely. (from home) The project will commence as soon as possible and will run for two to three weeks.

An Aboriginal Corporation on homelands in central Cape York require a volunteer plumber to assist them to connect two new buildings to water and septic systems. The plumber will also assist in the installation of a new septic system.

The project will take approximately one week and will commence in May.

The volunteer will be accommodated in donga style accommodation, but may need to bring their own swag.

An Aboriginal Corporation on homelands in central Cape York require a volunteer builder (qualified) to assist them in laying the foundations for, and building of a shed. The shed will provide shelter for vehicles and machinery used for land management work (tractor, ATVs ranger vehicle, boat), and also provide workshop space.

The garage/workshop is in kit form (8m Span x 17.5m L x 3.4m H and 5-bay) and has been delivered to the site, but the corporation needs a volunteer to provide guidance in laying the foundations and erecting the shed. A crane will be hired and transported from Weipa to assist with the building.

The project will take approximately two weeks and will commence in May. The volunteer will be accommodated in donga style accommodation, but may need to bring their own swag.

This eco tourist turtle rescue camp in Western Cape York aims to assist indigenous residents and researchers to protect the turtles and other marine life from threats such as ghost nets and feral pigs.

This project proposes to upgrade the camping facilities to support visitor management in the environmentally significant turtle nesting habitat. Approvals and consent have been obtained from all stakeholders.

The Camp requires the assistance of the following qualified people:

2966 An Electrician - to assist in the provision of new safe and healthy toilet and shower system to replace the existing open pit toilets and to reduce the environmental impact on country. The electrician will need to have some experience in installing and connecting a small solar electrical system. The project will commence in June or July and require a commitment of four weeks.

2967 A Plumber - to install a hot water system, connect the ablution block to the water supply, install and connect composing toilets and do some reticulation work. The project will commence in June or July and require a commitment of four weeks.

2968 A Builder/Building Manager or Tradesman with experience in managing small scale construction. The main structure (ablutions) will be built from timber with some metal / steel work involved, as well as concrete footings. The volunteer will need to be available for a period of eight to twelve weeks commencing in June

All volunteers will be accommodated in safari tents on site.

Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) is a hereditary neuro degenerative condition. It is in a ‘family’ of neurodegenerative diseases that includes Huntington’s disease.

MJD Foundation is seeking a carer to assist on a respite trip in Brisbane for up to 7 days between April the 19 – 29, 2010.

Two ladies who are severely affected by MJD will be coming from Groote Eylandt to Brisbane for respite. MJD require some assistance to give their normal carers a break from personal care duties and to attend some outings. If possible, MJD would like the volunteer to accompany the two ladies (along with another carer) on the flight back from Brisbane to Darwin and then on to Groote. We are looking for people who are passionate, enthusiastic and committed.

The MJD Foundation is a charity that seeks to improve the quality of life for Indigenous Australian Machado Joseph Disease sufferers and their families in Arnhem Land and beyond.

Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) is a hereditary neuro degenerative condition. It is in a ‘family’ of neurodegenerative diseases that includes Huntington’s disease.

MJD are seeking Darwin based Carers to assist on respite trips into Darwin. MJD patients come into Darwin regularly for respite. This happens several times per year and the MJD Foundation would like to have a volunteer to work alongside staff.

We are looking for people who are passionate, enthusiastic and committed.

Jalmardanga Community is about 100 km West of Derby in WA, they run a tour business bringing people out to the Mt Anderson to learn about the local history and culture of the area. Part of the tour involves a visit to the old sheering shed at Mount Anderson Station.

The community would like some assistance with repairing and ensuring the old sheering shed and kitchen are safe for tours, and to carry on sharing the history of the local Aboriginal people for generations to come.

This project will be good for the local youth who will learn valuable building skills so they can then carry out their own repairs and building maintenance.

Their goal is to upgrade all of the old buildings at Mount Anderson and to be able to turn it into a Station Stay for the travelers. The History of this place goes back to the 1880’s when the aboriginal people of the area where gathered up and put to work on the sheering station. They now have possession of this place and would like it to become a source of employment, training and income for the community members.

They propose to start in April 2010.

An Aboriginal Organisation is seeking a volunteer on a part time basis, who is familiar with Government grants/projects particularly with submission writing, proposals, and tenders.

The Driving School delivers high quality driver training and welcomes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learner drivers. The Organisation is seeking advice on how it can apply to gain the accreditation/authority to meet the growing needs of its clients to deliver and sign off on the Learner License tests. ID&D will be expanding the Indigenous Driving School and to be able to deliver the learner license course, and encourage

Indigenous Directions & Development are located in Wooloongabba and operate in an Indigenous Driving School with demand for this service now greater than their recourses. They wish to expand their service to incorporate the Ipswich and Logan area which will benefit community members in a number of areas, with the emphasis being on enhancing employment options for Indigenous job seekers and to lessen the number of incarcerated indigenous people for driving related offenses, as well as, road casualties and serious accidents.

The organisation currently has no formal policies in place, and members are finding it difficult to follow protocols and procedures. Members are hoping that by having an ICV volunteer skilled in Governance, that they will learn their roles and help the organisation function to full capacity.
The volunteer will inform and educate all Board members of their role and the impact this has on the individual, the organisation and their community. Members need assistance to establish sound governance strategies to support the organisation’s business objectives in the Community.

The Organisation is situated in the suburbs of the Gold Coast, 20 km from Surfers Paradise, Qld. The organisation has requested a local volunteer if possible, and is flexible on start dates and times.

An Aboriginal sporting club requires the assistance of an experienced treasurer to help understand the roles and responsibilities of this position. The aim of this project is to build capacity and understanding of committee members’ roles and responsibilities. The training will help the community applicant with in-depth knowledge and better understanding of her responsibilities and this will enable her to perform her duties more effectively.
This project will commence asap, on the East side of Brisbane. A local volunteer is preferable and part time hours are preferred.

A full-time architectural student attending the Queensland University of Technology is seeking an architectural volunteer who has worked with Archicad design program. Currently in his 4th year which is critical before graduating with skills and ready to practice. The volunteer needs knowledge and/or experience in Architectural Illustration, with watercolour.
The aim of this project is to foster an understanding of CAD not only as a language, but also, as a spatial design activity through visualisation three dimensions and appreciate how designs will be experienced. The applicant is happy to work remotely with a volunteer, as well as through contact visits Asap, local Brisbane volunteers are encouraged to apply.

Numerous volunteer opportunities exist to work with a Queensland Aboriginal Tour service near Ingham dedicated to improving the social-economic position of the local Indigenous peoples – as a legacy to and for the Aboriginal children of the area.

Opportunities include developing a business plan for various business streams so the business can become more economically viable, the provision of mentoring senior management in developing their leadership and management skills and working with staff to provide support and/or train them in hospitality, customer service, cash handling, administrative skills and systems, finance skills and basic finance systems.

These projects would suit individuals and couples.

• 1949N/09 Hospitality/ Catering

• 1952N/09 Building Management

• 1953N/09 Administration and Finance

• 1955N/09 Mentoring and Leadership

• 1957N/09 Business Planning

• 1950N/09 Occupational Health and Safety

An Indigenous community organisation is looking at providing training services in the future, and would like help from someone knowledgeable and experienced in setting up a Registered Training Organisation.

You would be needed for a week or two before Christmas or early 2010.