The Red Dust team worked as mentors of brothers, Warren Kunoth and Damien Kunoth to bring the RDK Outstations enterprise from concept into reality.

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Together they have developed and supported the registration of the business and developed program logic that has allowed the new business owners to initiate some essential marketing such as business cards and flyers. Inspired by the strength and resilience of Warren and Damien’s grandfather, they chose the initials of his name – Roy Dennis Kunoth (RDK), the man whose outstation will be the base for delivery of their All-Rounder Program they lead for the young men and boys of their community.  

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“Running my own business has given me control to help my own mob and their kids with programs that they love to be a part of. I’ve always worked for my community but for other organisations who usually make the decisions for us. Now I can make decisions and help change for good by listening to the families and community. And now my kids can be involved in our business as a family and maybe one day they will help to run it too”.

- Damien Kunoth, RDK Outstations

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The All Rounder Program that is delivered under the auspice of RDK Outstations will encompass their collective experiences and knowledge, featuring station work, sports (AFL & boxing), mechanics, infrastructure, stable management and caring for livestock.  

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Warren has worked for the Northern Territory Department of Territory Families for many years and Damien's connections with Red Dust programming dates back to 2013. Both local strong men come from large families in Alice Springs and Utopia. Warren and Damien draw on the strength of those that have gone before them including their grandmother Rosalie Kunoth-Monks and their father who was a child of the Stolen Generations.  

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With this foundation, the men are set to continue their path of self-determination, to be independent and self-sufficient. Their vision is to not only carry-on the legacy of their grandfather, but sustain and grow that legacy for their children, grandchildren and future generations.

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“Self determination comes to mind - to see an idea come from the community then to fruition with the sole purpose of fulfilling what I believe is fundamentally self determination in action. It is the highest level of First Nation’s autonomy and allows the most needy and marginalised to be the true beneficiaries of the work undertaken. The fact that mums. dads and their children are now working to make a change in their communities as business owners and service providers means that their ideas, passion, dreams and hard work will pay off for them in far more ways then before. It has been a real blessing to see and we still have much more to do!”

- Alan Palmer, Strong Young Men and Boys Program Manager

With your support we can continue to provide young people with opportunities to learn from their Elders on-Country — the best place to learn about your own culture.

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