Media Statements - Aboriginal communities prepare for cleanliness awards

14/10/05

Dozens of Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields and Mid-West regions are preparing to showcase their efforts to create a clean and healthy living environment.

Housing and Works Minister Francis Logan will use a two-day visit to the Kimberley this week to encourage more communities to enter the 2005 Clean and Healthy Communities Competition.

Mr Logan said the annual competition, which closes on October 28, always attracted a high standard of entries and this year communities had the opportunity to share in a fantastic $33,000 prize pool.

“Last year’s major winners, the Karalundi Aboriginal Community in the Mid-West and Tjirrkarli near Warburton, set an extremely high standard, reflecting the pride these communities have in creating a clean and healthy environment for all,” he said.

“The prize money can help to fund a range of initiatives at each community, including tree planting and establishment of new lawns, gardens and flower beds, through to community reticulation and the purchase of much-needed evaporative cooling units.

“Other possibilities could be gardening equipment, the provision of shady areas, rubbish bins, septic tanks or even playground equipment.”

The Minister said communities were judged on dust abatement, the absence of litter, water management, waste disposal, beautification and overall appearance.

The award categories provide separate prize divisions for communities with fewer than 100 people and those with more than 100 people.

Visiting schools in Derby, One Arm Point and Looma, Mr Logan will also take the opportunity to present two of this year’s poster competition prizes and certificates of encouragement and bookmarks to student participants.

The poster competition began in 1999 and is held prior to the Clean and Healthy Communities Competition, with the overall winner’s work featured on promotional materials.

Mr Logan said the poster competition aimed to raise awareness among primary school students about the need for clean and healthy living environments and to encourage students to participate in initiatives to improve healthy living practices within their community.

This year more than 100 posters were received and judged by representatives from the sponsoring agencies - the Department of Housing and Works’ Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure Directorate, Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Department of Indigenous Affairs and the Office of Aboriginal Health.

The winner of the overall poster competition was David Stretch, of Muludja Remote Community School near Fitzroy Crossing. His work has now been included in the 2005 Clean and Healthy Communities Award promotional poster. David won a bike and his school won a computer.

At Derby District High School, Mr Logan presented the winner of the Middle Primary Category, Year Five student Brent Simons, with two book packages - one for himself and one for the school.

The Minister also presented certificates of encouragement and bookmarks to the following students:

Year five: Jordan Sampey, Tekarie Albert, Raegan Demeza, Geraldine Gore, Brianna Ozies, Eleisha Ozies, Trent Haerewa, Daphne Burgu, Rachael Everett and Mariah Lwoy;
Year three: Levi Collison, Tayla Pawczynsky, Bree Kenworthy, Topia Kingi, Juen-Hien Lui, Luka Krajuelick and Curtis Lwoy; and
Year two: Moses Sambi, Chloe McGaffin - Easton, Zac Brown, Fletcher Miller, Callum Preedy, Lakoda Mitchell, Cassidy Fletcher, Shania Simons and Bree-Ann Ross.

At the Looma Remote Community School, Mr Logan presented book packages to Year seven student Janita Nalgood as the winner of the Upper Primary Category. Certificates were presented to:

Year seven: Delwyn Chuguna, Malcolm Johnson, Sharelle Button, Ethan Boyes, Gideon Gardner, Alana Pindan and Levina Pindan;
Year six: Lydia Clancy, Jannah Davidson, Marlika Manado, Kenisha Green and Rodney Skeen; and
Year five: Camillia Juboy and Trent Killer.

At the One Arm Point Remote Community School, Mr Logan presented certificates to:

Year four: Kanishah King, Shoshanna Wiggan and William Maher; and
Year three: Jordan Ningella, Gipvanno Hunter, Kayla Newry, Marlon Sampi, Salwyn Hunter, Chenoa Maher and Keilan Davey.

Minister's office: 9222 8950