Finally, 5 minutes to log on...
I thought the schedule for the induction to the program was relatively full, on paper it looked fine. It's been a very full on week so far. Vit and Rose, the two people who run the program up here, have a more than full time job keeping us all where we need to be, on time (ish).
Monday was all about getting 25 people off planes, suitcases, accommodation. Oh, and a few hours of briefing on the program, going over the schedule and the camping section.
Tuesday started at 6am for brekkie then the 7am briefing started. This is where we learnt how to drive properly, and where Vit and the instructor Peter made sure we are all suitably aware of the dangers of driving in the Cape.
Big tick on that one!
A briefing session at Cape York Partnerships, then we spent 6 hours plus learning the techniques that may prevent an accident on the miles of dirt roads up north - do you want to know the stats on accidents up here (no so fun)? So, am definitely a more defensive driver today than I might have been last week. And, I really, REALLY know how to put on brakes in a four wheel drive in an emergency situation. Still waiting for my adrenalin levels to get back to normal :-)
Yesterday, a more civilised start to the day - briefing started at 8am. A really great insight into Balkanu (the organisation I'll be working for in Aurukun) and some more good information about what it's like and what we can do out there.
We (Daniel and I) turned grocery shopping into an Olympic marathon event - think it went to about 2 hours to get ourselves stocked up, boxed and ready for 4 weeks remote. There are a LOT of boxes of food. The team then threw the mounds of gear we need for around 30 people to sleep under the stars, in the back of 6 big old 4WDs and will hit the road to Cape Tribulation this arvo. Staying in a backpackers dorm. Luxury!
For the other folks in the Program - the rest of the group are excellent - all from a diverse range of backgrounds. The projects others have to work on are really interesting, it'll be great when we get back and do the debrief to hear how they all go.
Alas, time to pack up and move out. Early briefing today again.
Met some really great local people in Cairns so far, many we'll met up at the Cape at different points when we get there.
From Cairns, over and out for now.
Susan
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
What is the Cape York Program and what am I doing?
•
The beginning of this story...one of the good things about working for a big corporate organisation like Westpac, is they offer opportunities to participate in both work-related and community programs. They set them up and support them really well.
A friend of mine, Clare, went on the Cape York Program a few years back and her stories of what she did and achieved made me think I should also consider doing this. Of course, being a super procrastinator, I put it off (there's always next year) for about....4 or 5 years!
Last year, I decided there is no time like the present and applied. It took a few months to get through the process and procedures, but luckily I was accepted to go.
Here's how Westpac explain the program on the website:
"Westpac has worked with Jawun Indigenous Corporate Partnerships to support the indigenous communities in Cape York since 2001.
Jawun is a not-for-profit organisation which channels corporate and philanthropic resources into indigenous development. The Jawun model partners corporates with local Indigenous organisations to support this development in a way that encourages indigenous people to take responsibility for their own lives and the future of their communities. Westpac specifically supports the reform agendas of Cape York Partnerships and Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation led by Noel and Gerhardt Pearson.
This year, The Westpac Group have extended their support to Indigenous partners in Redfern, NSW.
Westpac’s investment in Cape York has seen over 450 employees contribute more than 60 work years of effort since 2001.
Cape York secondments expose our employees to unique challenges requiring them to develop resourcefulness, personal strength and leadership capability. They are tested in their ability to be flexible, to quickly adapt to new situations and to build rapport with a diverse range of people. For many, a Cape York secondment has provided their first experience of remote Australia.
There is no easy or simple solution to many complex issues faced by Indigenous communities. We remain committed to a long term approach, using our employee skills and experience in supporting those communities with their goals.
Cape York leaders openly acknowledge that Westpac’s sustained support has built their capability as well as credibility with government, easing access to welfare reform funding and enabling them to drive their policy agenda forward."
So, as of next Monday, for 5 weeks, I am seconded to work with Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation out in Aurukun, with Aak Puul Ngantam, (APN).
A Westpac Equities colleague Daniel, will also be travelling to Aurukun, working with the same groups, but on different project briefs - will elaborate more on what we'll be doing when we get there. Out of the 20 or so participants from Westpac, KPMG and IBM, only the two of us are going to Aurukun (think this is the remotest option with this group). Another two fellow secondees will be in Coen, another two in Cooktown and the rest will remain in Cairns.
There is lots and lots of things to do in preparation for the program and the journey. Our schedule for first week is pretty full on. We enter a fast learning experience about the organisations we'll be working for and with. We learn to 4WD - Aurukun is about 10 hours north-west from Cairns on unsealed roads. A two day trip. We camp.
In a swag? Yes, a swag...how does a person get prepared for that? Might sleep on floor at home for the weekend to get in practice.
It'll be heaps of fun and lots of new experiences for sure.
Susan
:-)
A friend of mine, Clare, went on the Cape York Program a few years back and her stories of what she did and achieved made me think I should also consider doing this. Of course, being a super procrastinator, I put it off (there's always next year) for about....4 or 5 years!
Last year, I decided there is no time like the present and applied. It took a few months to get through the process and procedures, but luckily I was accepted to go.
Here's how Westpac explain the program on the website:
"Westpac has worked with Jawun Indigenous Corporate Partnerships to support the indigenous communities in Cape York since 2001.
Jawun is a not-for-profit organisation which channels corporate and philanthropic resources into indigenous development. The Jawun model partners corporates with local Indigenous organisations to support this development in a way that encourages indigenous people to take responsibility for their own lives and the future of their communities. Westpac specifically supports the reform agendas of Cape York Partnerships and Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation led by Noel and Gerhardt Pearson.
This year, The Westpac Group have extended their support to Indigenous partners in Redfern, NSW.
Westpac’s investment in Cape York has seen over 450 employees contribute more than 60 work years of effort since 2001.
Cape York secondments expose our employees to unique challenges requiring them to develop resourcefulness, personal strength and leadership capability. They are tested in their ability to be flexible, to quickly adapt to new situations and to build rapport with a diverse range of people. For many, a Cape York secondment has provided their first experience of remote Australia.
There is no easy or simple solution to many complex issues faced by Indigenous communities. We remain committed to a long term approach, using our employee skills and experience in supporting those communities with their goals.
Cape York leaders openly acknowledge that Westpac’s sustained support has built their capability as well as credibility with government, easing access to welfare reform funding and enabling them to drive their policy agenda forward."
So, as of next Monday, for 5 weeks, I am seconded to work with Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation out in Aurukun, with Aak Puul Ngantam, (APN).
A Westpac Equities colleague Daniel, will also be travelling to Aurukun, working with the same groups, but on different project briefs - will elaborate more on what we'll be doing when we get there. Out of the 20 or so participants from Westpac, KPMG and IBM, only the two of us are going to Aurukun (think this is the remotest option with this group). Another two fellow secondees will be in Coen, another two in Cooktown and the rest will remain in Cairns.
There is lots and lots of things to do in preparation for the program and the journey. Our schedule for first week is pretty full on. We enter a fast learning experience about the organisations we'll be working for and with. We learn to 4WD - Aurukun is about 10 hours north-west from Cairns on unsealed roads. A two day trip. We camp.
In a swag? Yes, a swag...how does a person get prepared for that? Might sleep on floor at home for the weekend to get in practice.
It'll be heaps of fun and lots of new experiences for sure.
Susan
:-)
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