Cementing new jobs in Arnhem Land

In northern Arnhem Land, locals have concrete employment plans for the future thanks to a project that has an Aboriginal organisation, industry, university, local government and the Australian Government working together.

The Arnhem Land Progress Association Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) is delivering the Australian Government’s Remote Jobs and Communities Programme (RJCP) in Milingimbi and neighbouring Ramingining, and is working with industry to develop the skills of local Yolngu people to create employment opportunities and service local needs.

One of these partnerships is with Holcim Australia, a building materials company, and Swinburne University of Technology, on a range of small concreting projects, including the construction of wheelchair ramps. However, the business is now set to grow, with Holcim Australia and Northern Cement generously donating a concrete mixer truck and ten tonnes of cement mix respectively, allowing larger projects to be undertaken. 

The first large project will see a 300-metre footpath constructed from Milingimbi School to the town centre. Milingimbi local Robert Yurrkrrwuy, currently the RJCP Activity Supervisor, is excited to be part of the concreting crew.

“I did some concreting at school and have worked on housing projects in different communities with the dream of getting a full-time job,” Robert said.

“The footpath will also help the community, especially in the rainy season, when walking on cement instead of mud means that people don’t catch tropical diseases.”

Jason Wanambi, another young Milingimbi man in the concreting crew, is excited that he is helping community members with a disability.

“I’m proud when I see that the elders in wheelchairs can get around the community easily,” Jason said.

“It’s important for the elders to be seen around the community, encouraging kids to go to school and follow their dreams, so I enjoyed building the wheelchair ramps for them.”

The donations from industry and the assistance of Swinburne and the East Arnhem Regional Council mean that in the future all concreting jobs in Millingimbi and Ramingining will be done by locals and the money will stay in the local economy and support local jobs.

Additionally, the concreting crew will start to undertake work around Arnhem Land, ensuring that the concreters will have ongoing jobs.

For Robert, employment isn’t just about money.

“I never had a male role model when I was growing up so I’m looking forward to being a role model for young people in Milingimbi who want to get a job and succeed in life,” Robert said.