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I ON EXCELLENCE – NCIE Newsletter 1 – May 2009

This is the text of the first National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) newsletter which was distributed in May 2009. The distributed PDF was not searchable or possible to copy from so we have made this text version from an OCR of the newsletter. It should be noted that the text of the pdf newsletter differs from the text in the news stories of the same name on the news section of www.ncie.org.au

Welcome

Did you Know?

Sydney's Youth Have a Voice

Indigenous Employment Opportunities at the NCIE

Construction News at the NCIE

Want to Know More?

Welcome

Welcome to the first edition of the Monthly newsletter from the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE).

The newly named NCIE, is an exciting initiative that will see the old Redfern Public School transform into what will be a benchmark for the development of young Indigenous people. The multi-use complex will boast world class sports, arts, educational and cultural programs – facilities will include a sports hall, arts & craft and activity rooms, tut orial centre, gymnasium, 25-metre heated swimming pool, sports playing and training field and campus accommodation.

This newsletter will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the Centre – we’ll introduce the people involved in the project, provide updates on the latest construction news and keep you informed of the exciting things in stall for the Centre and your local area.

Our grand opening in November is fast approaching and we’ve been busy laying down the Centre’s foundations. The NCIE Board has been established, a new name and logo has been developed, construction is well underway and we’ve just announced plans to set up a Youth Advisory Committee – an initiative created in partnership with the YMCA which will provide a voice for local young Indigenous people.

We hope you find our newsletter informative and we look forward to sharing more about this special project in the coming months – stay tuned.

Best Regards, Sam Jeffries, National Centre of Indigenous Excellence co-Chairperson

Did you Know?

The NCIE used to be called the National- Indigenous Development Centre but the Board recently chose a new name  - we are excited to unveil our new look and new logo in our first newsletter edition.

Our vision to create a centre of excellence, learning and growth is reflected through the NCIE logo. Our new identity signifies the community coming together and the growth of young people's skills and talents. Traditional Indigenous colours are used to highlight our culture, heritage and the movement towards a bright future.

Sydney's Youth Have a Voice 

Young people are at the heart of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. Our vision is to create an environment of learning and opportunity, which will foster talents and pave the way for brighter futures.

The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, in partnership with the YMCA, is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local young Indigenous people to fill one of seven positions on the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) – a Committee that will give young Indigenous people the chance to speak about issues that matter the most to them.

We’re looking for passionate young people aged 12 – 18 years, who live, work or go to school in the South Sydney area and who are looking to develop their leadership skills in the area of youth issues.

The young people chosen to join the committee will advise the YMCA on issues that will influence the programs offered at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. Their goal will be to ensure that the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence continues to offer programs which meet the changing needs of young Indigenous people Australia-wide.

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence Director and local Indigenous Leader, Sol Bellear, believes YAC is the chance for young people to make a difference. “This is a unique and exciting chance for young people of Sydney to have their voices heard on a national scale.”

Entries close 31 May 2009. For more information, to apply online or to download an application form visit www.sydney.ymca.org.au/ncie  

Indigenous Employment Opportunities at the NCIE 

The employment opportunities for the Indigenous community are just one of the many benefits of the Centre. Since construction began 10 months ago, 22 indigenous people have already been employed to work on the site.

These workers have been employed by St Hillers, through the Indigenous Employment Participation Plan (IEPP) -a workplace initiative by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA).

Through the IEPP, Indigenous recruits embark on an eight-week course at the RWA Koori Job Ready Course in Construction, to provide them with the necessary permits/tickets they require to work on building sites, as well as teach them basic skills in a range of different trades including, carpentry, formwork, plastering, concreting, bricklaying, scaffolding and forklift operations.

Being given the opportunity to work on a project like the NCIE gives candidates a personal and cultural connection to their work. Bradley Prance, a plumber on the NCIE site feels proud to be involved in a project that will touch the lives of fellow Indigenous Australians.

Bradley completed the Koori Job Ready Course 12 months ago when he was just 15 years old after struggling to keep regular attendance at school. Since completing the course and being employed by Jones & Jones Plumbing to work on the NCIE site, Bradley has secured his own fiat and is living independently.

Bradley says, "This job is one gate unlocked for me, it opens up other opportunities once you have a trade certificate." Bradley has seen some tough times in the past few years but believes that "If you keep your head above water you can float, even when you're tired," continued Bradley.

Once construction is complete, Indigenous employment will continue to be a focus of the Centre - permanent job opportunities will be available as well as ongoing support and training to help young people enter the workforce.

For more information on Indigenous job opportunities at NCIE or the IEPP please contact James Ellender, YMCA Manager at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence: james.ellender@ymca.org.au, 0413 888 491.

Construction News at the NCIE

As you may have noticed, our building team has been busy bringing our Redfern site to life. Each month we'll update you on our progress and what's coming up. So far we've:

  • Prepared heritage buildings for refurbishment. Gadigal House is one of the heritage listed buildings and this will accommodate the NCIE Centre Management Team, NASCA and the Exodus Foundation Tutorial Centre.
  • Commenced refurbishment of the Eora Campus Accomodation & Dining 
  • Laid the foundations and commenced brickwork and structural steel to the new Eora Sports, Arts and Recreation Centre.

We recognise that the construction noise, dust and traffic hasn't always been easy for our neighbours to live with. We would like to acknowledge the patience everyone has shown throughout this time. As always, if there are any problems please let us know by emailing Twyfords@twyfords.com.au

Want to Know More?

Please contact Twyfords on 1800 11 00 55 or email twyfords@twyfords.com.au

If you no longer want to hear from us, please email ncie@hillandknowlton.com.au to be removed from our database

NATIONAL CENTRE OF INDIGENOUS EXCELLENCE

George St Redfern NSW Australia 2016

e: newsletter@ncie.org.au                    

w: www.ncie.org.au     

Source: I ON EXCELLENCE Edition No ONE (May 2009)