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| Chairperson's
Overview
From Annual report 2002/2003 |
Without
CHALLENGES how can we make
changes?
I would like to congratulate all Regional Councillors on their
election campaigns and being elected to the Wangka Wilurrara
Regional Council. It is great to see the return of a majority
of the members of the last Council and see the introduction of
new members who have not been affiliated with the Regional
Council before.
With that in mind I welcome Councillors Haseldine, Queama and
Coleman, and the return to Regional Council of Councillor Dunnett
after one term away.
I am humbled and honoured to be given a second term as Chairperson
of this region by my peers, and I will continue to bring issue of
Indigenous Affairs to the tables of all Indigenous organisations and
Commonwealth, State and Local Government partners. |
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Throughout the election campaign I informed all Councillors that if
given this chance again, my focus this term would be to bring
closure to some of the
developments commenced by the last Council, in accordance with our
Regional Plan and program outputs statement.
Most of the staff of the office have had the opportunity to work
with me and know that I believe that the relationship between the
administration and
the elected arm should be one of working together as a team. The
need for effective communication between these parties is vital in
allowing Regional Council to make effective policies and positive
decisions so that our people can achieve more with less.
I believe that the collective efforts of Regional Council,
Indigenous organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Services (ATSIS) administration and other associated partners will
effectively and strategically implement the objectives of our
Regional Plans, enforce the policies made by Regional Council and
engage in the capacity building of individuals, families and
communities.
These developmental processes must strengthen the opportunities for
our people and create employment, education, economic development,
and social and cultural well-being pathways for our people.
With the Government’s decision on 17 April 2003 to implement a
separation of powers through the formation of ATSIS, the Regional
Council can pursue the management of services to Indigenous
communities/organisations and individuals through policy
developments, effective relationships and positive communication.
As the identified peak Indigenous body we must ensure that the
policies and priority settings that we develop are respected by
government agencies, Indigenous service groups and individuals, so
that good governance can be adhered to.
In my view, we have the opportunity to rid ourselves of archaic
methodologies for the improvement of service to our people. I would
like to put a challenge to the staff of all partner agencies in this
region to work with us and through us and challenge government to
increase employment, social and cultural outcomes for our people.
Without challenges how can you make changes?
Harry Miller
Chairperson
Wangka Wilurrara Regional Council |
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Councillors’ Profiles & Comments |
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Deputy Regional
Council Chairperson
Councillor Norman Pickett
Ward: Wangka Pulka South
This is my third term on the WWRC. The main difference for me this
term is that I am now in the role of Deputy Chair. I am based in Port
Lincoln, although I keep well versed in the issues affecting the
whole of the Wangka Wilurrara region. |
Education, with an outcome basis, a retention focus and
collaboration of all stakeholders will continue to ensure our young
people participate effectively in determining their own futures. The
promotion of family values and support of young families with
children in education will assist this process, along with
identification of families who require additional support in order
to adequately foster commitment to education in their children.
I believe that a Treaty is essential to the reconciliation agenda,
which I fully support. The promotion of the diversity of Aboriginal
culture, in the wider community and within the Aboriginal community,
continues to be a strong issue with me.
I feel that the positive promotion of achievement in sport and other
areas, at all levels, continues to play a large role in the
development of our youth. It is through this success that our people
can continue to be judged as competing and leading in many fields,
and in many cases become role models, inspiring others to greater
heights. This leading by example raises the profile of Aboriginal
Australia and allows the diverse backgrounds of Aboriginal people to
be seen and accepted.
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Alternate Deputy
Regional Council Chairperson
Councillor Milton Dunnett
Ward: Wangka Pulka North
I have now been involved with WWRC issues for 7 years and involved
in Aboriginal Affairs for over 30 years, including Foundation Member
ALRM and Aboriginal Housing Board and Tjutjunaku Worka Tjuta CDEP. |
Under my portfolio of Economic Development, I am saddened to see the
loss of enterprises in the north WWRC region, and I will endeavour
to support individuals or family groups who would like to take up
the challenge of enterprise development, as I believe that
individual achievement is a better way to achieve self determination
and economic independence.
Men’s issues and aged care issues are also of interest to me. It
concerns me that there are very few persons of Aboriginal descent
living to a senior age. I would like to see more emphasis on better
services provided for general health, awareness, education and the
promotion of easily adopted and interpreted preventative measures
(e.g. more health checks rather than until you are sick). I hope to
see Aboriginal people fully utilise the resources and facilities we
have currently available in the WWRC region.
I would like to concentrate on the future and work with policy
development. I recognise that Regional Councils have the opportunity
to develop strategy for community benefit and real change for the
better.
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Councillor Barry
(Jack) Johncock
Ward: Wangka Pulka South
When ATSIC came into being I was the youngest Councillor in the
State to be elected. My reason for running was to get to know more
about Indigenous politics and to help my people fight for justice
and equality. Here I am, 13 years later, the longest serving
Councillor in the region, still taking up the fight on behalf of all
my constituents throughout the West Coast. |
I feel the needs and wants of community organisations and the
Regional Council Plan are met as best we can with a limited budget.
There is still room for improvement, especially funding for the need
and not the greed.
It is very encouraging as a Councillor to see the improvement in the
way the communities are operating and fulfilling some of the goals
that are set out in the community plans. There is always more to be
done, and I believe that we can keep improving and developing
community enterprises.
In concluding I would like to thank my fellow Councillors and
support staff; everyone has conducted their business in a very
positive and professional manner.
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Councillor Basil
Coleman
Ward: Wangka Pulka North
I ran for Regional Council because I wanted to be a part of a
process that supported the Aboriginal people with the move towards
self determination and self management. I feel that during the short
time that I have been on the Council there were very positive
outcomes that contributed to and supported our fight for self
determination and self management before the separation of powers
was introduced by the Minister for Immigration, Multicultural and
Indigenous Affairs. |
One of the major issues for the region, I believe, is regionalising
all the CDEP programs within the area so that funds can be re
directed to see a more effective and efficient service to the
broader community, creating more job opportunities.
Achievements to date include the move towards establishing a
Resource Agency in the Ceduna area. The community in general has
been very positive towards this move. I believe the Resource Agency
will bring the community together as one, which will make us a
stronger, united voice on Aboriginal issues.
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Councillor Jeffrey
Scott
Ward: Wangka Pulka North
I see the Council being better able to address social issues via the
youth in our region by creating for them a solid base in economic
and infrastructure development. I see future needs emerging in areas
such as the coordination of services, in order to reduce the number
of Aboriginal people getting lost in the system. The positive
development of a ‘duty of care’ across all supporting organisations,
department and agencies would assist in such a positive outcome. |
I feel strongly about maintaining a grass roots approach whilst on
the Regional Council. I feel that Aboriginal people need to
participate and work together with the wider community to achieve
the best for the community and region as a whole.
I am greatly concerned about the impact that the pokies are having
on our community, and feel that greater promotion of anti-gambling
measures and the promotion of services to assist in the process of
treating the addiction is necessary — immediately. The impact
socially and directly on the family, and especially on children who
may be affected by financial deprivation is deeply troubling.
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Councillor Sue
Haseldine
Ward: Wangka Pulka North
I see my role on the Council as one of raising awareness of issues
and needs that come from the people of the Wangka Wilurrara region.
I aim to be truly representative and approachable on these issues. I
am happy to have a yarn with anyone — no issue is too small. |
I am very supportive of and involved in education issues and
delivery. My support extends to youth, and in particular, young
mothers being able to return to education and employment, with
adequate access to childcare and support mechanisms to ensure
successful participation and outcomes. I aim to promote information
in regard to this access, and as new facilities and resources
emerge, to positively reinforce the benefit for the youth of this
region.
In the past I have been, and continue to be, on a grass roots level,
very committed to issues such as substance misuse, the role of
women, domestic violence, and family issues. I like to promote the
family unit and the togetherness of community to maintain a stronger
future. The open nature of the WWRC gives me hope for the access, in
all areas, economic, social and cultural for all people in our
region.
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Councillor Braddon
Queama
Ward: Kakarrara Wilurrara
As a person living in a remote community, I felt that in order to
bring about understanding of the issues in our community I needed to
be a part of the Regional Council. I wanted to provide advice on the
way services should be delivered to my community and ward. The role
of the Regional Council in assisting places like Yalata is of great
importance, and this assistance can help my community in achieving
outcomes and effecting change. |
Continued support by the Regional Council has seen the basis for
economic development established. This basis is the Head of Bight
initiative. The advocacy undertaken by the past and present Regional
Council has seen this initiative become a major benefit for the
Indigenous people of my region. There are also additional benefits
that will flow from this initiative as employment opportunities,
along with training, will empower members of my community to improve
their own physical well-being.
Employment issues are of a critical nature to improve the social
well-being of my community, and greater focus on the CDEP will
benefit the Yalata community.
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Jamie Edwards - profile and photo
requested, coming soon...
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