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Projects Safe Places Red Dust helps create Safe Places for Yuendumu and Nguiu communities. Red Dust is proud to be part of 'Safe Places', an Australian Government initiative that seeks to provide safe places for families affected by family violence. Each Safe Place project comprises either a women's 'Safe House' or a men's 'Cooling-Off Place', and is designed to address the complex and all too common challenges of family and domestic violence faced by indigenous people in the Northern Territory. While the Safe Places project aims to generate positive community outcomes, unfortunately the existence of a Safe House or a Cooling-Off Place is often seen by community members as an undesirable addition to community life due to the its negative stigma and very reason for its presence. Red Dust Role Models has an excellent track record within many Northern Territory communities, and enjoys positive relationships with traditional owners and community leaders. In this context, Red Dust was well positioned to extend its community involvement beyond the delivery of its Lifestyle Education Programs. Red Dust has now facilitated transforming the Safe Places sites in Yuendumu and Nguiu into more positive community resources. Work on the Safe Places was undertaken in May and early June following consultations with local leaders and council members, site coordinators and Greening Australia - who were responsible for landscaping. This consultation ensured that all parties benefited from participating in the project, and in celebrating the final outcome. The Safe Places project team and Red Dust's role models engaged community members and facilitated painting and landscaping projects at a total of three Cooling-Off and Safe House sites in two communities. A particular highlight of the Nguiu project was the visit and participation of Western Bulldogs players Lindsay Gilbee and Captain Brad Johnson to the men's cooling-off facilities. Lindsay and Brad enthusiastically took to working alongside the project team, spending time with the community's young indigenous men and officially opening the site at a barbeque attended by over 100 community members. Red Dust has continued to consult with the Nguiu Council and has proposed to have a male and female artist paint a mural on the women's Safe House and men's Cooling-Off Place to enhance the final appearance and to increase local involvement, ensuring greater 'ownership' of the improved facilities. Being involved in the Safe Places project has been a valuable experience, as it enabled Red Dust to work on the ground in partnership with the Yuendumu and Nguiu communities to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.
Mentoring System : "Gondwanaland" Red Dust's online communication system, DreamStream, is always evolving. A greatly enhanced new version called Gondwanaland is currently under development. Gondwanaland is a virtual world that students and Role Models can use to communicate and learn positive lessons.
Kintore Pool Project February 1st 2008 saw the very remote desert community of Walungurru (Kintore) celebrate the grand opening of their long-awaited swimming pool. Red Dust was on hand for the celebrations, having contributed to the funding of its construction with the generous support of The Shane Warne Foundation, with other contributions from Philips Australia. Equipment and apparel have also been donated as 'gifts in kind'. Red Dust has committed to a long-term agreement with Kintore to assist with the management of the pool, with cash contributions going specifically towards the hiring of a pool manager or the cost of training staff. Either option will help to provide training and employment to a member of the community and assist with the ongoing running costs of the pool. We have also committed to the provision of swimming equipment and apparel. There is also potential for Red Dust to host a swimming carnival and bring elite swimmers to the remote community for special swim clinics and pool safety programs. Students in Kintore often struggle to participate in similar carnivals as they are located too far away and road travel is often prohibited by flooding and/or lack of appropriate vehicles. Red Dust welcomes direct assistance with this initiative in the form of financial and/or gifts in kind.
The Strong Men Project - Wadeye, NT Red Dust Role Models supports the work of Justin Crawley's 'The Strong Men Project' (NGANKI NGUNNUWINHINGA PROGRAM - "MEN TAKING THE LEAD") and his vision to make a difference in the lives of young men in Wadeye. The Strong Men Project aims to provide training and opportunity for 4-6 young men (15-18 years old) from Wadeye community to explore their cultural and sporting talents in the hope of making a difference. These men are relocated to Bright in north eastern Victoria for seven months of the year (football season). The young men will be mentored in education, work part time in the area of tourism and be supported in developing their literacy, life skills, personal health, fitness and strengthening their cultural identity. The program works in conjunction with the Essendon Football Club and the AFL to provide opportunities for the young men to succeed. The young men visit the club regularly, participating in health & fitness programs, nutrition and skills training under the guidance of the Essendon Football Club. The Red Dust Role Model organisation also works closely with the young men in preparation for their development as Red Dust Role Models assisting in the delivery of the program in Wadeye. Each participant must meet strict criteria (linked to school attendance and cultural knowledge) for entry into the program, as well as maintain high levels of fitness, void of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. They are responsible for attending classes, being at work on time, paying rent, meeting fitness requirements, following a health and nutrition plan and meeting all educational and work related expectations. It is also crucial for participants to share their culture within schools in the area. Help us support The Strong Men Project
Community Infrastructure Projects Red Dust fields numerous requests for assistance with the funding and construction various facilities that are desperately needed in most communities. These include such things as rec hall upgrades, multi-sport court construction, shading and the provision of equipment, as well as larger endeavours such as construction and maintenance of a swimming pool. These allow for greater youth engagement through structured physical activity which, of course, leads to better health, increased skill levels and the likelihood that a young person will be engaged in sport or other physical activity rather than opting for petrol sniffing and/or drug and alcohol abuse. In addition to sporting infrastructure, many communities in remote Australia and Fiji require assistance in sustaining music-related activities. Set-up of music studios is often a challenge, as well as supply and maintenance of equipment and instruments. We are committed to assisting where possible, but can only do so with the generous support of donations. Red Dust welcomes financial donations as well as gifts in kind - sporting and music equipment, sporting apparel and any relevant supplies. It is preferable that any equipment is in good working order.
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