The ILC and Home Valley Station
Home Valley Station
Property Description: Program stream, Economic.
Primary purpose and activity: Pastoral business and pastoral-based tourism.
Size: 248,934 ha pastoral lease.
Livestock: An unbranded herd of shorthorn cattle, estimated at 2,000 head, and 237 head of Brahman cattle that have been introduced to upgrade the herd's genetics.
Infrastructure: Home Valley pastoral lease area consists mostly of rugged ranges growing spinifex with a very low livestock carrying capacity of one head of cattle per 116 ha. Due to the low carrying capacity, the property has never been properly fenced and watered to enable cattle to be effectively managed, except for two paddocks around the homestead and a set of cattle yards.
Benefits Sought/Achieved: Home Valley's primary focus is to provide an employment-based training facility for local Indigenous people to develop skills and knowledge in the tourism and pastoral industries that will lead to employment locally or in the wider community. The ILC has developed a strategic relationship with Kimberley TAFE (Kununurra) and Kimberley Group Training (KGT) whereby KGT has the role of principal employer, the ILC is host employer and day-to-day manager of the trainees and TAFE provides technical training support and resources.
Training focus: All training is undertaken at Home Valley providing opportunities for the integration of the training and trainees into the day-to-day tourism and pastoral operations. The trainees are an integral part of the daily operations developing their skills in food and beverage preparation, retail sales, housekeeping, communications and support to tourists.
Tourism trainees assist with the development of pastoral industry-based tourist activities, carry out the roles of tour guides and coordinate fishing and horse riding. Agricultural trainees undertake animal husbandry activities, property and plant and machinery maintenance. The horticultural trainee assists with the development and maintenance of the grounds and water reticulation.
The trainees are supported by workplace and life skills mentoring, career counselling and support. Once their training is complete, trainees will be offered ongoing employment with ILC-managed operations where possible or will be assisted in placements with other industry employers. KGT recognised the ILC's commitment, initiative and outcomes by jointly awarding Home Valley and Argyle Diamonds their Host Employer of the Year award.
Training conducted: Twelve trainees were employed and trained at Home Valley in hospitality, tourism, horticultural and pastoral industries. Seven employees commenced Certificate I in Work Preparation. Nine trainees participated in a Certificate I in Tourism (Australian Indigenous Culture) and six are continuing their development through a Certificate II in Tourism (Operations). Three employees commenced Certificate III in Tourism (Guiding). One employee completed a Certificate II in Agriculture (Beef Cattle Production). One employee is nearing completion of the Certificate II in Horticulture (Parks and Gardens). Thirteen trainees completed basic first aid. Four employees attended a Preventing Aboriginal Youth Suicide program conducted in July 2006. All employees have participated in OH&S training. Four employees were enrolled in a series of life skills courses that included Future Skilling, Money Business and a basic computer course First Click.
Social and Cultural Benefits Training and work programs are delivering noticeable improvements in health, financial well being and self-esteem. Home Valley hosted work experience activities for four children of the traditional owners of the Home Valley land who are attending Oombulgurri School. Home Valley hosted eighteen prisoners from the Wyndham Prison Camp.
Key Activities 2006 - 2007: A significant building program was undertaken during the year with construction completed of a new workshop, horse stables, cattle yards, water supply, electricity generator, radio communications tower, access roads, ablution facilities and accommodation for staff, trainees and tourists.
Property Description: Program stream, Economic.
Primary purpose and activity: Pastoral business and pastoral-based tourism.
Size: 248,934 ha pastoral lease.
Livestock: An unbranded herd of shorthorn cattle, estimated at 2,000 head, and 237 head of Brahman cattle that have been introduced to upgrade the herd's genetics.
Infrastructure: Home Valley pastoral lease area consists mostly of rugged ranges growing spinifex with a very low livestock carrying capacity of one head of cattle per 116 ha. Due to the low carrying capacity, the property has never been properly fenced and watered to enable cattle to be effectively managed, except for two paddocks around the homestead and a set of cattle yards.
Benefits Sought/Achieved: Home Valley's primary focus is to provide an employment-based training facility for local Indigenous people to develop skills and knowledge in the tourism and pastoral industries that will lead to employment locally or in the wider community. The ILC has developed a strategic relationship with Kimberley TAFE (Kununurra) and Kimberley Group Training (KGT) whereby KGT has the role of principal employer, the ILC is host employer and day-to-day manager of the trainees and TAFE provides technical training support and resources.
Training focus: All training is undertaken at Home Valley providing opportunities for the integration of the training and trainees into the day-to-day tourism and pastoral operations. The trainees are an integral part of the daily operations developing their skills in food and beverage preparation, retail sales, housekeeping, communications and support to tourists.
Tourism trainees assist with the development of pastoral industry-based tourist activities, carry out the roles of tour guides and coordinate fishing and horse riding. Agricultural trainees undertake animal husbandry activities, property and plant and machinery maintenance. The horticultural trainee assists with the development and maintenance of the grounds and water reticulation.
The trainees are supported by workplace and life skills mentoring, career counselling and support. Once their training is complete, trainees will be offered ongoing employment with ILC-managed operations where possible or will be assisted in placements with other industry employers. KGT recognised the ILC's commitment, initiative and outcomes by jointly awarding Home Valley and Argyle Diamonds their Host Employer of the Year award.
Training conducted: Twelve trainees were employed and trained at Home Valley in hospitality, tourism, horticultural and pastoral industries. Seven employees commenced Certificate I in Work Preparation. Nine trainees participated in a Certificate I in Tourism (Australian Indigenous Culture) and six are continuing their development through a Certificate II in Tourism (Operations). Three employees commenced Certificate III in Tourism (Guiding). One employee completed a Certificate II in Agriculture (Beef Cattle Production). One employee is nearing completion of the Certificate II in Horticulture (Parks and Gardens). Thirteen trainees completed basic first aid. Four employees attended a Preventing Aboriginal Youth Suicide program conducted in July 2006. All employees have participated in OH&S training. Four employees were enrolled in a series of life skills courses that included Future Skilling, Money Business and a basic computer course First Click.
Social and Cultural Benefits Training and work programs are delivering noticeable improvements in health, financial well being and self-esteem. Home Valley hosted work experience activities for four children of the traditional owners of the Home Valley land who are attending Oombulgurri School. Home Valley hosted eighteen prisoners from the Wyndham Prison Camp.
Key Activities 2006 - 2007: A significant building program was undertaken during the year with construction completed of a new workshop, horse stables, cattle yards, water supply, electricity generator, radio communications tower, access roads, ablution facilities and accommodation for staff, trainees and tourists.
