Context
The Scenario
The 2010 EWB Challenge requires students to use their problems solving and design skills to support he development of the Kooma Traditional Owners community in South-western Queensland. The design projects have been identified by EWB and our partner organisation in Queensland, The Kooma Traditional Owners Association. The following information will assist the design teams to conceptualise the issues involved with working in indigenous communities. Students can download a copy of the 2010 EWB Challenge Design Brief by clicking here. The 2010 EWB challenge video and Powerpoint presentation is also available.
Figure 1: Bendee Downs Shearing Shed (Facing South East) Figure 2: Bendee Downs Shearing Shed (Facing South)
Indigenous Australia in Context
Australia’s Indigenous population is the longest surviving continuous culture in the world. The oldest proven ancestor of Indigenous Australians is 40,000 year ago but it is widely believed that Indigenous Australians have been here for 60- 100,000 years. Before colonisation Australia had between 750,000 and 1.4 million Indigenous people forming 250 distinct Indigenous nations with over 700 dialects and language groups (Commonwealth of Australia, 2009).
Today. the Indigenous population is approximately 2.6% of Australia’s population. They have great diversity of culture and language with strong cultural traditions still in place and around 145 languages still spoken throughout Australia. Indigenous Australians are part of the rich diversity of Australian culture contributing to art, dance, politics, sports, academia and the environmental movement (Commonwealth of Australia, 2009). However, the impact of colonisation and government policy on Indigenous Australians has resulted in a gap in living standards compared to other Australians.
EWB working in Remote Australia
EWB has partnerships with Indigenous Communities around Australia. In 2009, a total of thirty-one EWB volunteers undertook field work with EWB’s Indigenous community-partner organisations. Twelve volunteers travelled to Murra Murra to work with KTOAI on the Kooma Energy Project. This project aims to identify energy reduction opportunities and install solar panels to provide sustainable energy to the community. A further nine volunteers travelled to Bentinck Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria to work with the Kaiadilt Aboriginal Corporation and the Centre of Appropriate Technology (CAT) to build an amenities block and shelter. This team has now begun their preparation for the next trip to assist with the island maintenance program. Six Melbourne Water staff travelled to Murra Murra to work on waterway assessments and water management projects with the KTOAI. Four EWB Volunteers travelled to Shiptons Flat to work on infrastructure with the Bana Yarralji Bubu Aboriginal Corporation Ranger Program.
EWB has formed a number of other partnerships with Indigenous communities. The Western Australian Chapter (member group) has been developing a partnership with the Leedal Aboriginal Corporation, located in Fitzroy Crossing. Melbourne Water have signed a partnership agreement with KTOAI and EWB and completed their first site visit in August 2009. In Shipton’s Flat in Cape York, a unique model for working together has been developed with CAT, Aurecon, EWB and Bana Yarralji Bubu Corporation. This team of organisations will work towards constructing an amenities block.
The Kooma Traditional Owners Association
The Kooma Nation is located in south-west Queensland. Murra Murra and Bendee Downs are two adjoining properties which were acquired by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) in 1998 and officially granted to Kooma Traditional Owner’s Association Incorporated ( KTOAI) in January 2000. The properties are situated approximately 100km east of Cunnamulla. Figure 1 shows a map which defines the original Aboriginal Language Group boundaries in Australia and the location of Kooma Traditional Country.
Figure 3: Original Aboriginal Language Group Boundaries and the Location of Kooma Traditional Country
The properties consist of two pastoral lease holdings and a small area of free-hold land with a total area of approximately 87,159 hectares (215 374 acres). This is substantially larger than any of the other properties in the region. There are currently two families who live permanently at Murra Murra and Bendee Downs, both acting as caretakers for the property. Other Kooma people visit for official business, courses, family gatherings and cultural reasons. The Kooma people experience many of the development challenges facing Indigenous people across Australia, as identified in the EWB Challenge Design Brief. The community is trying to address these issues, particularly education and employment, whilst creating hope and renewed pride in their people. Figure 2 shows a map of the region near the properties.
Figure 4: Murra Murra and Bendee Downs Location (28oS, 146o W)