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A dream job in Papunya

20 October 2014
Community Papunya (Warrumpi)
Remote Australia Strategies
A dream job helping others in his community.

Clayton Dixon is just the type of person you want handy when something gets broken around your home. Clayton, a 28 year old husband, and father of two sons, works as a Housing Maintenance Officer (HMO) in his home community of Papunya in the Central Desert region of the Northern Territory.

Clayton Dixon is just the type of person you want handy when something gets broken around your home. Clayton, a 28 year old husband, and father of two sons, works as a Housing Maintenance Officer (HMO) in his home community of Papunya in the Central Desert region of the Northern Territory (NT), helping keep homes in good shape and his community safe.

“For a long time I kept saying to my wife and family I want a job where I can fix things all the time. It felt like my dreams had come true when I was offered this job,” Clayton said.

Clayton and HMO’s like him throughout the NT are mentored by trade professionals to provide a first response service, making general repairs such as fixing doors and locks and leaking taps, unblocking drains and welding, where needed.

 “Long term I would like to get a trade. I am based at Papunya but I also work in Mt Liebig and Haasts Bluff, which is good because I also have family in those communities. I get to see them while fixing things and I can show off a bit.

“People are starting to stop me when I’m driving past and telling me their sink’s blocked or door won’t shut and I fix it or arrange for it to get fixed, and that makes me feel very good, and proud,” Clayton said.

Clayton takes pride in being a local man, responding quickly to local needs for safe and comfortable living conditions.

Find out more

Residents in remote Northern Territory communities can call the repair and maintenance hot line on 1800 104 076. A response will be provided by a Housing Maintenance Officer who is a locally employed handyman. The Housing Maintenance Office will assess the issue, provide any simple maintenance and assist in reporting more complex issues for further follow up.

Housing Maintenance Officers are a joint initiative of the Australian and Northern Territory Governments.  Further information on the housing program and on how to report repairs and maintenance work can be found at Remote Housing NT.