Interim Evaluation of the Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Aged Care Workforce Development Projects - Attachments
4.2 Ikuntji (Haast’s Bluff)
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4.2.1 Community
Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff) community is located 250 km west of Alice Springs and has a population of around 187.Finke River Mission established a ration depot near the current site of the Ikuntji Community soon after the Haasts Bluff Aboriginal Reserve was proclaimed in 194194. The people using the depot were mainly Kukatja people from close by and Pintubi people who moved in from further west either in response to its establishment, or who had previously moved east to be closer to Hermannsburg. There were also some Pitjantjatjara, Aranda and Warlpiri people. By the mid to late 1950's there were approximately 1,000 people living in or near Haasts Bluff. In 1954 control of the community at Haasts Bluff was handed over to the Northern Territory administration and later to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA)95 .
At this time, due to the large numbers of people who had moved into the area and problems with the quality and quantity of water at Haasts Bluff, it was decided to establish a new community nearby. Work began on Ikuntji community in 1956. In March 1957 people began to move across and in October 1960 Ikuntji was officially opened. A significant percentage of the Haasts Bluff population was relocated. The community at Ikuntji became self managing in 1979, partly in response to the gaining of legal status by the Land Rights Movement of the early 70’s. This also began the outstation movement which saw many of the people living in the area begin to move back to their traditional lands. The Ikuntji Community Council was incorporated in1985. In 2008, governance became the responsibility of MacDonnell Shire Council. Facilities in the community include an arts centre, child care centre, school, health centre and general store. The police service is provided from the police station at Papunya, 51 km from Ikuntji.
Economic opportunities have been developed through the sale of locally produced art. The Ikuntji Arts Centre markets art via the internet and exhibits art interstate and internationally. Employers in the community include the council, health centre, school, arts centre, aged care/early childhood centre and general store.
The Community Health Centre provides primary health care services to the residents of Ikuntji community via a mix of Aboriginal Health Workers, Registered Nurses and through visits by a district medical officer96 .
4.2.2 Aged Care Service
The aged care service predominately provides a meals service for around 4 HACC clients and 5 CACP clients and staff ‘look out’ for the aged people, providing them with outings, social support and laundry services. The centre is housed in the childcare centre and provides cooking facilities for the school, childcare and the aged care. The Indigenous staff at the service are predominately from one family and said that they work well together, and have done for some time. Staff also said that it is beneficial being co-located with the child care centre, as this provides them an opportunity to work together, and prepare meals for the childcare centre, school children and the aged care clients together. Other benefits to the co-location included that there are a greater amount of people around to look out for the children in the childcare centre and that driving the meals to community clients can be shared between several staff.Staff said that the main service focus was on providing meals but clients could come to the centre for a shower and laundry if they needed to. Staff said that the training had not yet had a significant impact, but that the first aid and food handling training gave them greater awareness which was also helpful in their own lives.
4.2.3 Pre-Training Telephone Interview
At the time of the pre-training interview Haasts Bluff Aged Care had 5 staff including one coordinator. Three of four workers were in positions converted from CDEP and had previously been CDEP workers. Apart from the coordinator, all staff are Indigenous.The coordinator, being new to the position, could not comment on the impact on the service or workers as a result of the conversion process; however the three workers interviewed reported that they considered things to be better since converting to paid positions.
The coordinator identified first aid as an area in which workers required training. It was also suggested that training in general aged care was required for both the workers and coordinators. Feedback received from the RTO showed that first aid, personal care, occupational health and safety (OH&S) and basic food handling as key areas identified for training. The coordinator and workers were looking forward to participating in training.
4.2.4 Post-Training Site Visit
At the time of the site visit the following training had been delivered.HLTFA301B - Apply first Aid - 7 participated and four achieved a statement of attainment
HLTFS207A - Follow Basic Food Safety Practices - 6 participated (not completed yet)
94. LGANT Report 2006 Audit of Employment Opportunities in Remote Communities in the Northern Territory
95. ibid
96. Australian Government nd Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff) Community Profile
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