trainee doctors enjoy northern exposure

FEBRUARY 2013HEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Getting doctors to live and work in rural and remote areas has always been a struggle for country communities, but the Rural Clinical School is working hard to overcome the obstacles and expose trainee doctors to the experience and rewards of remote practice.

A joint initiative of the University of Western Australia and the University of Notre Dame, the Rural Clinical School has been introducing student doctors in their second last year to the realities of country practice.

They’ve been coming to Hedland since 2003, with five students here last year.

Medical Coordinator of the School, Associate Professor Rob Whitehead, believes there are mutual benefits for the students and the community.

While it gives the students practical experience in country medicine and presents an attractive

career path, it also keeps the rural doctor teachers sharp and “on their toes” as they answer some clever questions. Hedland benefits through greater community access to medical expertise - and ideally, attracts some of the students back again when they are fully qualified a few years down the track.

“They have a year-long engagement with the community. One of the things we involve them in is a community project,” Professor Whitehead said.

Laura Buters was one of last year’s resident student doctors, whose father was a rural GP, says she likes the sense of community in rural medicine.

“There just seems to be a lot more personal care in rural areas, and I’ve always been interested in Aboriginal health, so northern Western Australia had a great attraction for me too,” Laura said.

“I loved it – it was amazing,” she said.

To help attract the best and brightest students to Hedland to benefit the community, BHP Billiton Iron Ore partners with the Rural Clinical School to offer the incentive of gaining experience in an international hospital.

The students are offered an incentive trip, allowing them to spend time practicing in an international hospital. Past students have had the opportunity to practice in places like East Timor, India and Vanuatu. By providing such a rewarding experience it is hoped the students will to return to Hedland in the future as professional practitioners.

“It helps the students build on their experience in Port Hedland and increase their skill set,” said Professor Whitehead.

“That’s been a really good experience for the students, one that’s been described as life changing,” he said.

Gaining a taste for country practice are (Left to Right)

Justin Winters, Mariana Dorkham, Kyria Laird and Laura Buters.

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international enthusiasm for turtle monitorinGCare for Hedland’s award-winning turtle monitoring program is drawing eager volunteers from as far afield as Canada, France and Germany to help the Hedland community monitor the protected flatback sea turtle, also known as Natador depressus. Now in its ninth season, the program draws on the enthusiasm of over 100 volunteers who regularly head to Cemetery Beach and Pretty Pool between October and March to collect data on the turtle activity. Under the careful supervision of Care for Hedland, the volunteers meticulously gather vital information on nesting female numbers over several seasons and monitor population trends. Program Coordinator Pip Short said the program has resulted in some practical conservation measures that have greatly helped hatchling turtles. These have included a fox eradication program and changes to lighting along the beach.

Pip says with so many participants it’s a great program for raising community awareness. Its success has been recognised by being awarded the 2010 Environment Award for Biodiversity Conservation. Care for Hedland’s important work caring for the region’s plants and animals has had the enthusiastic support of BHP Billiton for many years. The partnership between Care for Hedland and BHP Billiton helps to make the turtle monitoring program possible. Pip is also grateful for McLaren’s Raw Hire’s practical help with transporting the small army of volunteers about.

“It solves our transport problems and makes our lives a lot easier,” she said.

in cyclone season don’t be scared, be prepared If you’re new to Hedland you may be anxious about the cyclone season which occurs annually between November and April. While there’s no denying that cyclones can be frightening, careful

preparation is the key to staying safe, so don’t be scared, be prepared.

Plan ahead – Preparing your home and family is your responsibility,

so make sure you prepare your family cyclone plan. You need to be

prepared to remain in your house or relocate if you live in a low lying

area or you’ve been advised to move.

By avoiding alcohol during a cyclone you’ll be able to keep a clear

head when you and those about you need it most.

Have all your emergency contact numbers close to hand and be aware

of community alerts issued by Department of Fire and Emergency

Services (DFES) on ABC and local radio. You can also call DFES’s Public

Information Line on 1300 657 209.

Prepare an emergency kit for short-term survival and a relocation kit

when you decide to relocate to safer accommodation.

Your survival and safety depends on being properly prepared. You can find further information including a comprehensive Cyclone Smart guide at the DFES website: www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Cyclone Emergency Contact Numbers

Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) Phone: 08 9158 1300 www.fesa.wa.gov.au

State Emergency Services (SES) Phone: 132 500 or 08 9140 1300 www.fesa.wa.gov.au

Police, Fire and Ambulance: 000

one dedicated amboHedland would be nothing without the dedication of volunteers that make our community function. They don’t come much more dedicated than Barry Neylon, who’s been a volunteer driver, attendant and now committee member with St John Ambulance for seven years. Barry dedicates 10 to 12 hours each week at the Ambulance station training staff, organising, fund-raising and generally helping to keep this vital service functioning. As he is employed by BHP Billiton, Barry’s volunteer hours are also matched though BHP Billiton’s Matched Giving program – for every hour he volunteers, BHP Billiton makes a contribution to St John Ambulance.

He’s seen a lot of accidents and emergencies in his seven years, including a lot of car and caravan rollovers involving grey nomads coming unstuck.

Barry works as a trainer and assessor at BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Nelson Point site, where he uses the same training and communication skills he employs at St John to teach BHP Billiton Iron Ore employees to stay safe and secure at work.

Volunteer ambulance officer Barry Neylon has dedicated seven years to the task.

neW to toWn? here’s the easy Way to find the services you needMoving into a new town can be pretty daunting but the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce and Industry have made the move to Hedland a lot easier with their online information directory. At www.porthedlanddirectoryonline.com.au you’ll find heaps of useful information about a range of community services simply by clicking on the Town of Port Hedland tab and scrolling down to the community section at the bottom of the page. You’ll also find information about your council, emergency services and much more on this great site.

Not to be outdone, the Town of Port Hedland’s site: www.porthedland.wa.gov.au also has extensive information on the Hedland community under its Our Community tab.

HEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER WWW.HEDLINES.COM.AU

fundinG for fun!Down at the Hedland Playgroup Association, you’ll see many youngsters with smiles on their faces thanks to a community grant from BHP Billiton Iron Ore which has given them a variety of new toys to play with. Some of the toys hadn’t been replaced in five years, and with

30 mums on the books, many with two or more kids, they had been

subjected to some significant wear and tear and needed replacing.

“When fees come in we don’t have much money to replace toys –

it mainly goes on the running of the playgroup,” said Catherine Roberts,

President and Treasurer of Hedland Playgroup Association.

“Without this grant, we would not have been able to afford the new toys,

so we’re very excited.”

The desks and chairs, too, were “getting a little bit ratty” and have

been replaced and their numbers boosted with new ones. They’ve been

warmly welcomed at the busy playgroup, which is also home to a

pre-kindy group.

BHP Billiton’s association with the playgroup goes back a long way.

It’s been providing vitally needed activities for children under five since

that time, as well as comfort, support and a relaxing break for mums

and dads.

The new toys and equipment will continue that tradition. Catherine said

the playgroup strives to put structure into its activities and to teach the

little ones about the value of caring and sharing.

If you’d like to get involved with the Hedland Playgroup Association you can phone them on 0448 228 980 or contact Catherine on 0438 342 565. They can also be contacted through the Hedland Playgroup Facebook page.

A community grant for new toys has given Hedland’s kids plenty

to smile about.

biG boost for hedland artists!Hedland’s arts community has been given a big boost with the appointment of local artist Diana Boyd as a paid part time coordinator.HARTZ, the Hedland Arts Council, has been a focus for the local arts community since its early days in 1994, but as an entirely volunteer organisation its membership and activities have waxed and waned over the years. In its heyday it had 200 members, but with the vagaries of a transient population those numbers dropped to as low as 20. Today the future is looking much brighter thanks to the support of Country Arts WA and BHP Billiton Iron Ore, who have funded the coordinator position, while BHP Billiton Iron Ore has also funded new studio premises in McKay Street. The new premises were launched on 1 November 2012. Diana is confident that the funding and the new premises will rejuvenate HARTZ and Hedland’s arts community. “Membership was quite low last year – it was just hanging by a thread by the people who had been in it right from the start … now that we’ve got these wonderful premises and some funding, it means that we can turn it into a really nice art space,” Diana said.

It’s still early days and the HARTZ committee is now working on a business plan for the organisation. The immediate aim is to increase the membership, then there are plans for a drawing group and art classes, a writer’s workshop and a youth arts festival. BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Senior Manager Community and Indigenous Affairs Chris Cottier explained the importance of investing in arts and culture in the Company’s host communities.

“We have been involved in the development of arts and culture in Port Hedland for many years and we’re pleased to further this involvement through a new three-way partnership between HARTZ, Country Arts WA and BHP Billiton Iron Ore,” Chris said.

“The three-year, $300,000 partnership will enable the further development of HARTZ, building on its strong history as a

dynamic grass-roots arts organisation in Port Hedland for budding local artists,” he said.

Celebrating the opening of the HARTZ studio, and

the launch of the new partnership are Suzie Haslehurst (Country Arts WA), Chris Cottier

(BHP Billiton Iron Ore), Andrew Heath (HARTZ) and Di Boyd (HARTZ).

WWW.HEDLINES.COM.AUHEDLAND’S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Where do you read hedlines?You probably already know that Hedlines pops into your letterbox every two months but did you know it’s also available online? In fact, it’s easy to access not just the current edition, but past editions of Hedlines as well at www.hedlines.com.au. You can also sign up to receive the e-newsletter delivered straight to your Inbox. When he’s enjoying a well-earned break from looking after Port Hedland’s recreation needs, Graeme Hall, the town’s Manager of Recreation Services and Facilities, likes to catch up with what’s happening by putting his feet up for a few moments and reading Hedlines.

You can find out more about recreation in Port Hedland at either www.porthedland.wa.gov.au (follow the link on the Services & Facilities tab) or www.porthedlandleisure.com.au

Girl’s Guide to hedland If you’re wondering what’s on and where it’s at around Hedland, wonder no more - the Girl’s Guide to Hedland has it all mapped out for you! Launched in November of last year to celebrate the renewed partnership

between the Hedland Well Women’s Centre and BHP Billiton Iron Ore,

the Girl’s Guide to Hedland has a wealth of information for women in

the shape of a handy reference map.

Denise Bevins, CEO of the Well Women’s Centre, said that if you’re looking for a bit of retail therapy, arts and culture, hair and beauty treatment or some stimulation for the mind and body, then the Guide is the perfect place to start.

You can also find out about a range of home-based businesses.

The Guide is a collaborative project of the Well Women’s Centre and BHP Billiton Iron Ore with the assistance of FORM and “with the help of some of Hedland’s finest female minds,” according to Denise.

It’s available from a number of locations around town, including the Well Women’s Centre, the Courthouse Gallery, the Town of Port Hedland, or the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Community Office.

The Girl’s Guide to Hedland is just the start of what’s on offer at the Well Women’s Centre.

Denise advises women to keep an eye out for regular evening Sundowners, the Welcome to Hedland Morning Teas on the first Wednesday each month from February, and the Cooking up a Storm activities on the last Friday of each month.

You’ll find information about these and other events at the Well Women’s centre website www.wellwomens.com.au/

(Left to Right) Creators Lisa Lock, Denise Bevins,

Sharon Bell (standing) Renee Gill, Kate Antonas and Leila Edwards

look over the indispensable Girl’s Guide to Hedland.

Graeme Hall, Manager of Recreation Services and

Facilities at Town of Port Hedland with his copy

of Hedlines.

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upcominG events

recyclinG - noW even easierRecycling at Hedland’s events will get a lot easier thanks to a grant from the Keep Australia Beautiful Council that will help Care for Hedland supply recycling bins at community events and activities. It’s an important part of a recycling effort that’s going from strength-to-strength. The new wheelie bins are yellow, red and orange for glass, plastic bottles and aluminium cans, with green stickers on the top and blue on the front. With their big blue flags they’re hard to miss at market stalls, footy games and other outdoor events, but it’s important that people take care to put the right recyclables in the right bin, and not just use them as general rubbish bins. The bins will be also be a big boost at events such as Clean Up Australia Day, allowing some volunteers to collect recyclables while others pick up general rubbish.

Cash for Trash The Cash for Trash program continues to be an amazing success. The program is still offering 10 cents per glass bottle and $2 for each bag of cans in an effort that’s so far diverted over 300m3 of glass and some 40,000 cans from landfill since this innovative initiative began.

Plastic recycling has recently been added to the list of recyclables accepted at Cash for Trash, and the glass recycling effort has improved by the arrival of a glass crusher in Karratha. Karratha Environmental Crushing is now crushing glass collected through Cash for Trash, mixing it with recycled concrete and turning it into road base.

There’s something for everyone this year in Hedland,

with circus shows, festivals, the Melbourne Ballet

Company and even the Melbourne Comedy Festival

heading our way this year.

This community newsletter is proudly supported by BHP Billiton Iron Ore. Photos sourced by and for BHP Billiton Iron Ore. This newsletter is designed by Creating Communities Pty Ltd.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

Government of Western Australia Department of Housing

For more information please contact 0439 941 431or email cleanuphedland2009@hotmail.com

COLLECTION POINTCOLLECTION POINTCash for Trash is proudly supported by:

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Kids Puppet Show – Sticks, Stones, Broken BonesSaturday 2 February 5.00pmMatt Dann Cultural Centre Come play in the dark! Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones is a wordless, shadow puppet comedy for all ages from Montreal, Canada. Mr. Bunk presents a series of delicate, intricate comic sketches with his shadow puppets.

Freefall, Contemporary Circus ShowWednesday 3 April Matt Dann Cultural CentreWinning the Adelaide Fringe Festival Award for Best Circus in 2010. The artists combine traditional circus disciplines including hula hoop, juggling, adagio, hoop diving and acrobatic pitching with contemporary movement and physical theatre to develop a dynamic and innovative performance style.

Portbound Festival

Saturday 6 April

Hedland Senior High School Reserve

The 2013 drug aware Portbound Pilbara Youth & Health Festival

proudly presented by the Town of Port Hedland & The Hedland Youth

Stakeholders Action Group. A safe, fun & healthy event.

For more details please phone 9158 9643.

Pilbara Stories exhibition

Friday 15 February

Courthouse Gallery

Pilbara Stories turns a lens on the Pilbara’s people and community,

through a photographic and social documentary project that aims to

capture stories of people living in Port Hedland and surrounds.

Pilbara Stories features one hundred portraits, that celebrate the

diverse heritage, individuality and experiences of everyday life in

the Pilbara with a focus on Port Hedland and surrounds.

For more details please phone 9226 2799.