Our Mission at TDC is to develop all commercial opportunities on behalf of the clan members throughout the Region to advance our key aims of providing local jobs for local people and, in the long term, ensuring every child has a chance of a full life.

This last week was a big week for Goodbyes as we have a few familiar faces leaving TDC.

Peter Sheldon had his last day at the Rangers, after 5 and a half years of continuous service. Peter has been an absolute legend in running both the Ranger and Savanah fire programs. Peter, his partner Jo and Baby Ranger Jimmy will head back to their hometown to start their new life as a family of three.

Johanna Martin from the Rangers, also finished up on Friday to take a well-earned break. Johanna has worked very hard with the women to keep recycling and other activities running.

Johanna’s most recent achievements include getting the nursery activities up and running with the school. Both Pete and Jo will be sadly missed.

Eve Riikonen has finished up working with TDC in the women’s Centre and will be working with Thamarrurr Youth on some exciting new projects for the communities emerging young leaders.

While we are very sad to see Eve leave TDC, we are super glad she is continuing to work with the community, and we wish her all the best in her new role.

Eve wishes to thank everyone at TDC for your support, teamwork and all the good times! It has been such a pleasure working with you and wish you all the best in the future. Keep up the amazing and important work you do.

The Men’s Shed will be fully operational by September 21, until then we hope to have activities happening as often as possible. Please drop in and speak with David, Patrick or Adrian.

The Women’s Centre is temporarily closed while we recruit a new Coordinator as soon as possible. If women need to access the Centre for funeral supplies, please speak with Hannah at top office.

TDC is doing everything possible to have both the Men’s Shed and the Women’s Centre open for people to enjoy their usual activities and services. Thank you for your patience.

The aim of these national conferences is to increase the understanding and awareness of environmental health issues in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with a key focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander environmental health practitioners.

The conference provides delegates with the opportunity to hear and view presentations, from a variety of environmental health practitioners from across Australia, that highlight the programs and activities being undertaken in their own settings and the challenges faced in striving to achieve positive health outcomes.

The Northern Territory Government Task Force visited Wadeye this week and there was a mixed reaction to the visit. The main point of contention was the lack of notice which didn’t allow the community to prepare for the meeting.

Two public meetings were held, one for the local community and one for the service providers. The key message at the community meeting was that we must develop areas outside of Wadeye as Kardu Thithay Traditional Owners are being overwhelmed on their own land.

The service providers meeting raised the issues of housing overcrowding, lack of mental health services and the slow and inadequate response to the humanitarian crisis that emerged from the unrest. It also talked about the lack of respect to the local people with the short notice of the meeting, and the difficultly letting everyone know and giving people the opportunity to attend.

The TDC team and Traditional owners took time out to talk through the confusion about the unannounced task force visit, and the purpose of the task force. The very name “Task Force” created some angst as it associated with the Police Response Team.

The community was not happy about the lack of notice and the lack of time to prepare for such an important meeting.