Urapuntja Aquaponics Project

Fast Facts

Duration: 3 – 12 weeks (including 3 days of Orientation); Start date in Late March/ Early April

Location: Urapuntja Homelands and Aherrenge Homelands 350 kms N/E of Alice Springs on the Sandover highway (Remote location)

Arrival Airport: Brisbane International Airport

Working Hours: approx. 38/ week

Accommodation: Accommodation is provided in a share house. In 2011 dependent on funding there may be some permanent tents in a marquee style accommodation to provide more privacy for volunteers. Bring your own bed linen.

Transport: Brisbane/ Alice Springs one way AU$300 may vary depending on season. Approximate travel time 3 hours direct flight. Volunteers are picked up by project coordinator in Alice Springs and driven to Uranpuntja via 4 wheel drive. Approximate travel time 3-4 hours via unsealed road. Travel time may vary due to road conditions.

Note: There are limited direct flights from Brisbane each week so volunteers may have to travel via Sydney, Melbourne or Cairns to Alice Springs. This may also alter cost and travel time.

Requirements:

• Minimum age 18
• Skills in Horticulture or Business
• Good Oral and Written English skills

Cultural Orientation

All volunteers are required to attend a 3-day Cultural Orientation prior to visiting their allocated community. This may include:

Day One (Monday)

• Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History
• Explanation of Social Issues within the community
• What is culture…explanation of the elements of culture
• Men’s/ Women’s Business
• Didgeridoo demonstration
• Family Structure

Day Two (Tuesday)

• Body Language
• Protocol and Cultural Values and Obligations
• Totems
• Bush Tucker/Medicine (Bush Tucker Morning Tea)
• Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Art
• Visit to Indigenous Organisations

Day Three (Wednesday)

• Visit to Qld Art Gallery and or Eumundi (several Art Galleries)
• Introduction to the community specific to selected Volunteer Project

Note: Volunteers will be guided by local Indigenous and Non–Indigenous people living in the Community regarding cultural sensitivities.

Itinerary

Project Details: The Aquaponic system will supply fresh vegetables to the Urapuntja community. The horticultural skills will be taught in school and also involve other members of the community. The produce will not only allow the community to be much more self sufficient in their food supply but in the future also gives the community a business opportunity, as surplus may be sold to neighbouring communities.

The Project will also be available to assist in developing the necessary business skills and procedures to maintain these enterprises.

Volunteer Requirements/Skills: Skills in horticulture (e.g. plant cultivation, farming, or gardening) or business (e.g. entrepreneurial know-how).

Your role as a volunteer: As a volunteer you will assist the project supervisors in teaching horticultural skills so that the local people can use the aquaponic system effectively. Volunteers with Business knowledge will be advising on business and entrepreneurial skills for selling the produced fresh vegetable and to maintain the enterprises.

Where the project is based: The project is bases in Urapuntja Homelands and Aherrenge Homelands 350 kms N/E of Alice Springs on the Sandover highway. This part of the country is semi-arid and featureless, consisting of vast plains that support relatively few head of cattle. Any sidetracks that can be seen around here are private roads only.

Arlparra Store lies approximately 28km inside the boundary of Urapuntja, in an area known as Utopia Station, the hub of a number of Aboriginal communities in the area. Fuel (leaded, unleaded and diesel) and food are obtainable from Arlparra which is open weekdays, 9am – 5pm and Saturday, 9am – 12pm. Passing the administrative centre of Urapuntja, where emergency medical facilities are available, one eventually comes to Ammaroo Station, opposite the turnoff to Elkedra Homestead. Ammaroo no longer has services for travellers.

Weather & Clothing: Temperatures in this area are high all year round appropriate summer clothing suggested. When selecting footwear please note that this is a very arid area with the majority of the community consisting of red desert dust. If volunteers wish to go bush walking then appropriate footwear such as boots or sneakers would be suggested

Note: Dehydration can occur very quickly in Central Australia. Increased water consumption and appropriate sun protection is essential in these areas to prevent illness.

What’s included