WA’s Yulella Aboriginal Corporation seeks Employment Manager

“Yulella – Meekatharra – needs a passionate person who is able to understand processes and the reasons WHY ‘processes’ are put in place, who is able to follow through; to prioritise effectively; to problem solve; is computer literate; and is able to connect effectively with the Aboriginal Community members here in Meekatharra – without tripping over all the age old preconceived notions associated with remote Aboriginal Communities….I understand this might not be what most people in the Eastern States might be looking for by way of Job Opportunities – but we would like to have this advertised through ‘Pigs Will Fly’, as it doesn’t hurt to offer these choices to people outside of the ‘traditional’ modes currently in use.” Ron Bradfield (Jr)

Although he’s from the Bardi Mob – from Northwestern Australia, outside of Broome, Ron lives mostly in Perth. He finds himself in Meekatharra at the moment through his support role in the family business – Bradfield Indigenous Development & Employment Services (BIDES) www.bides.com.au.

Ron has just got in touch with PWF, though he says he’s been considering it for a while. He says he’s been talking about the PWF site amongst a few organisations – simply because it’s a new opportunity to get their stories out there amongst people who want to know…definitely one of PWF’s goals(!)

Ron also trains youth workers for a small community organisation in Perth who deal mostly with Aboriginal and Islander peoples in the community – those people who have or feel they have little or no chance gaining this type of education from a mainstream organisation such as a TAFE or university. He’s currently trying to encourage them to share their story as well as they’re one of many he knows who are doing little things – well!

Ron says they keep themselves well abreast of most things affecting Aboriginal and Islander peoples in their region – and for the main part they are considered ‘neutral’.

About the Employment Manager position

A job description file will be made available upon request.

The Yulella Aboriginal Corporation requires the services of an Employment Manager, for it’s operation in Meekatharra. This position will work with a variety of staff, agencies and private business enterprises to place people into work. Prior knowledge of Job Network would be an advantage, as would limited management experience. A good remuneration package will be negotiated. Please contact the CDEP Manager’s PA – Renee – on (08) 9980 1339, between the hours of 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Renee will give you contact details for the Manager – Ron Bradfield (Sr) and this position can be discussed further then.

Applicants MUST also be able to suspend any expectations they might have of people in this area. Having expectations based on previous experiences in a built up area such as Melbourne or Sydney, simply ‘won’t cut it’ here, nor will basing expectations upon successful business ventures in environments where everybody knows their key tasks, and performs as a well oiled machine. Most of our participants struggle to relate to the term ‘expectation’ – let alone understand the notion of why such a term exists in the first place. Their experiences don’t – for the most part – come from positive places where people are encouraged to explore their potential, and build or hone their skills. The community people here are simply living day to day. Anyone taking up a position here needs to be able to understand that THIS is what the situation is like for most of the people who are unemployed here in Meekatharra.

The organisation ISN’T looking for an Aboriginal person just because it’s an Aboriginal Organisation – they’re looking for the RIGHT person, who isn’t afraid to have a go at the job. If a person does their job well they’ll be readily accepted and supported by the local Aboriginal community associated with Yulella Aboriginal Corporation.

About Meekatharra & Yulella

Yulella is a community body that oversees the local CDEP (Community
Development and Employment Program) initiative in Meeka – as well as several outstations in Cue, Mt Magnet, and smaller remote localities in the region. It also runs several businesses in town – a very successful building company, a general goods store (also doing quite well), a mechanical services business and other business ventures that are currently mothballed – largely due to management issues. Up until a few years ago Yulella managed it’s CDEP quite effectively too. However since the change over to DEWR as our funding manager, and the change of focus on how CDEPs now go about doing the business – we have shifted from what was once a program involved in creating social change and empowerment (through good community development practices), to becoming another Job Network Provider for DEWR. CDEP no longer has a community development focus – they are now only required to manage a program that is ALL about employment goals and outcomes.

Meekatharra is a small town situated on the Great Northern Highway. It’s situated approximately 850 km from Perth, is at least 5 hours inland from the coastal town of Geraldton, and approximately the same traveling distance from the major mining town of Newman – north of Meekatharra. Meekatharra is predominantly a mining town – with a goldmining history – but is also surrounded by large pastoral leases, where the Stations in the region run both cattle and sheep. Meekatharra can be quite hot in Summer (mostly over 40 Degrees C), quite cool in winter (close to desert type temperatures and conditions), and dry for the most part – though this is subject to wet bursts depending on cyclones running down the west coast during the wet season up North. If you enjoy prospecting for gold – then Meekatharra is a good place to be.