MacDonnell Regional Council

Council Services recently organised essential training sessions across several communities to empower local Indigenous staff. This initiative aligns with the priorities set by our Elected Members to ensure local staff can undertake training in their own communities, fostering both skills development and community engagement. In July, training was held in Papunya, Areyonga, and Amoonguna, focusing on White Card certification, First Aid, and safe handling of hypochlorite.

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We're #hiring a new Governance Administration Officer in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Apply today or share this post with your network.

MacDonnell Regional Council is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 NAIDOC Art Competition, which ran for three weeks and invited participation from schools across the region. Open to students aged 5 to 11, the competition embraced this year’s NAIDOC theme, Blak Loud and Proud—Keep the Fire Burning, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through artistic expression. Both winning submissions were remarkable whole-school efforts, demonstrating the creativity of our young artists and the power of community collaboration. Jenny Carew, Director of Remote Schools, provided strong support throughout the competition and played a pivotal role in encouraging student participation. This initiative exemplified how schools, students, teachers, and staff came together, united by a shared sense of pride in their culture and history. The winners are: 1st place: Areyonga – awarded a new chilled and filtered water bubbler station featuring the winning artwork. 2nd place: Finke – awarded a bottle filling station showcasing the runner-up artwork. In keeping with MacDonnell Regional Council’s commitment to fostering sustainability, the competition prizes promote environmentally responsible practices within our communities. By installing these water bubblers and bottle-filling stations, we aim to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles while showcasing the students' artwork. This initiative reflects our ongoing efforts to collaborate with communities on projects that not only celebrate culture but also build a sustainable future. All submissions were judged anonymously by Councillors from MacDonnell Regional Council, ensuring a fair and transparent process. The anonymous judging underscores our commitment to inclusivity and fairness, making this a community-driven event from start to finish. The vibrant artwork beautifully captures the NAIDOC theme's spirit while honouring our region's deep cultural heritage. The prizes for the winning schools include the installation of these water stations, which will proudly display the students' artworks, along with cash prizes for the artists: $200 for 1st place and $100 for 2nd place. We look forward to seeing these fantastic artworks displayed. They will serve as a reminder of the important collaboration between MacDonnell Regional Council and the community in fostering cultural pride and working towards a more sustainable future.

September School Holiday Program 2024 We’ve got a full schedule of activities planned for the school holidays across our communities. From breakfast programs and Rec Hall games to footy, art and craft, music workshops, and bush trips – there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 📅 Week 1: 24th - 28th September 📅 Week 2: 1st - 5th October Communities involved include Amoonguna, Areyonga, Haasts Bluff, Hermannsburg, Kintore, Mount Liebig, Papunya, Santa Teresa, and Titjikala. Activities range from dodgeball and painting to movie nights and disco evenings. Save these pictures and join us for some fun!

Recently, we held our Ordinary Council Meeting in Santa Teresa. It marked an important moment where we officially adopted our 5-Year Organisational Development Plan. This plan is the result of a lot of dedicated work from many people, and it sets the direction for the future of MacDonnell Regional Council. Stay tuned for the announcement of when it will be uploaded to our website for everyone to read.

Good waste management is about consistently doing what’s right for our communities and the environment. At Finke, as part of our standard operations, we didn’t just build a new Waste Management Facility - we also took the necessary steps to rehabilitate the old site, returning it to its natural state. This isn’t an extra effort; it’s how we believe waste management should always be done.

A Week of Learning, Connection, and Celebration MacDonnell Regional Council has hosted a transformative 3-day training at Ross River from August 27-30, gathering nearly 50 staff for skill development, team building, and cultural respect. Highlights included mental health and domestic violence awareness, hands-on VR training, and a fun "Amazing Race" focused on policy practice. The event concluded with awards recognising outstanding staff. Special thanks to all stakeholders for their contributions, ensuring the success of this immersive experience. The knowledge gained will enhance the delivery of culturally sensitive programs.

This June and July, MacDonnell Regional Council teamed up with Pin Rada to hear directly from young people about what they value most in their communities! From sports and cooking to making a difference, they shared what truly matters to them. 🙌 A huge thank you to our dedicated MacYouth staff for their incredible work. With over 82% First Nation employees, our team of more than 97 strong is making an impact every day! Click here to watch the full video: https://loom.ly/G7FunDY

🔍 Looking to strengthen your leadership skills and make an impact in your community? The First Circles Leadership Program is now accepting nominations! The program is designed for emerging Aboriginal leaders from remote communities across the NT to speak directly with the government and influence key decisions. 📅 Don’t miss out - Nominations close: 31 October 2024 📧 Contact the Office of Aboriginal Affairs at [email protected] or call 08 8999 8579 to learn more. Click the link to learn more - https://loom.ly/BNIR2wo