CSTC News

Goolgun Yanbe

Newsletter No. 2
12 February - 23rd February, 2007

Culture

Journey To The Heart

This land that I live in the most crucial part of me
The greatest impression of the human body

The trees and the grass are like my hair
Gracefully flowing through pure precious air

Rocks are the forms that guard the land
Germs of my existence as sentinels they stand

Sand and soil the skin of creation
Can be eternally scarred through progress and selfish desecration.
The gullies and creeks the gatherers of rain

Heavily pulsing through life’s free flowing vein.
The rivers prominent, survey all that we see
Through the artery that leads to our hearts, flowing to the very core of our destiny

Community Comments

Keep Up The Good Work Everybody

I am feeling more positive and more enthusiastic about the CJP Course. I have a lot of confidence in the participants due to their attitudes towards the course. I’ve been getting some good reports about the participants and it’s making me feel proud.

To ALL the participants. Keep up the good work. I am happy for you all and very proud of what you are achieving. You are doing really well.

Ruth James
Member of The Mununjali Elders Group

Family Represent

You all make me so proud.
I love seeing your enthusiasm.
I love watching you get ready in the morning and fuss the night before.
I love hearing your stories when you get home
I love laughing at your silly ways
But most of all
I LOVE YOU ALL

“QUITTERS NEVER WIN AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT”

Mary James and Locky Rowe

If there is anyone that would like to lodge a comment for any of their family members that are doing the course then please feel free to contact me on the number provided. I will be sure to submit them in the next newsletter.

Teenie Wilton

Planning, Constructing, Cultural and Exams

We are at the end of week six and nothing has changed in terms of the participants attitude towards the course. Despite early morning starts they still remain determined.

The participants have been given two exams in construction, one for OH&S and the other for Plan Reading. All were successful. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!

The construction side of the course has been slowed down a little due to rain. The gang began planning, measuring and constructing at Canungra Park following the demolishing of benches and shelters at both Stinson and Canungra. A lot has been achieved up to date. Well done people!

The cultural side of the course is now in full swing. The participants have been on day trips out to The Hollow near Beaudesert, Wyaralong and the Lost World. They were told stories relating to each part of the country that was visited and was taught to recognise stone axes and flakes. A lot of photos were taken some of which I have included in this newsletter.

I have been meaning to catch up with members of the community and some of the trainers to have their input into the newsletter about the CJP and I will get around to it. I would really like to know what others think. After all this is a community project and it’s aim is to create career possibilities for our people targeting the young ones especially but including the older ones as well. We need to support the participants and our people as much as possible. The newsletter is just one way of doing it. So if you would like to submit a comment to the newsletter please contact either myself or Ruth on the following phone numbers. Thank you.

Teenie Wilton
Teenie Wilton Phone: 0423289869
Ruth James Phone: 07 55413023

Frank's Story

I caught up with Frank Long to get his story about his early involvement with the Course. Here is his story and a very interesting story it is. Thanks Frank.

I thought the course was a great idea right from the very start. I feel privileged to have been a part of it. I attended a lot of meetings with John in Brisbane. We did all this in our own time and with our own expenses. Family members helped us out whenever they could with whatever they could, money, accommodation and food. I really appreciate that. Other people helped us in what may seem like small ways. But to us the smaller the favor, the bigger the meaning.

I remember once John and I went to the Beaudesert Library to type up the submission. We were kind of stuck because neither of us could type. John asked the Librarian if she knew of anyone who could do the typing for us but she didn’t. So we had no choice but to do it ourselves, or try anyway. Well here we were, John doing the typing which was a one finger job and me giving him moral support from the other seat.  I decided to go for a smoke and didn’t notice anyone as I walked out the door. After a quick puff I went back in. My poor brother was still slogging away at the keyboard. As I sat down this lady walked through the door and came up to us. Her words were. “Do you need any help? The Lord told me to help you.” Her name was Zaidee. Zaidee took on the task of typing the submission. So I would like to say a special thanks to those people who helped us.

It’s a relief that the course is finally up and running and that the participants are enthusiastic and positive towards it. I was supposed to teach the cultural side of the course but made a decision not to and I apologie for that. But I am happy that the participants are enjoying it and learning a lot from it.

To ALL the participants. Keep going, work hard and get as much knowledge as possible. Get a good job, but more importantly get back what you can of your culture so that you can teach your children and others.

Frank Long

My sister Ruth and I caught up with Zaidee and her husband Adrian. This was Zaidee’s version of events. Teenie.

“I was sitting in the library having a conversation with friends. I noticed this gentleman talking to the librarian. He was asking her if there was someone who could do the typing for them. But the librarian said there wasn’t. I don’t know why their conversation caught my attention. It isn’t usual when you are deep in conversation. When I finally got up to leave and I walked out the door. I was making my way to the car when the Lord spoke to me. “Well aren’t you going to help those men?” All I can say was. “Yes.” I then told my husband that I had to go back into the library. Adrian asked. “Did you forget something?” I just said. “Yes.”

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The Lord put it on my heart to help John and Frank and I am so pleased that the course is finally up and running.

Zaidee

Laughter Column

Construction Bloopers and Language Shortcuts

“I’m sorry my language.” I think Ruth actually meant to say I am sorry for my language. Or is it “linguage” Dolly? I believe you tried to combine the words language and lingo? Well what ever the case Robert dobbed you and Ruth in.

Submitted by Robert

I just love it when everybody else messes up their English. I mean language. Or is it linguage? Oh well you all know what I mean.

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“Your book is in my “Tool Bool”.”

Submitted by Rebecca.

What exactly that is I do NOT know. Ruth’s new invention where you can store your construction books perhaps?

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We were at the Salisbury Construction Training Centre in Brisbane and was walking through the corridors. We noticed all the doors were marked with Door A, Door B etc. When we got to Door K, Mum (Dolly), cast a quizzical look in my direction and said. “Dork?”

Submitted by Robert

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Merv our trainer was teaching us how to figure out the boxing to be able to put the poles in straight. When he finished he turned around and said. “And Bob’s your Uncle!.” I just couldn’t help myself I had to tell him. “Actually he is my Grandfather.” Merv replied. “That’s a good one, I’ve never been caught out like that.”

Submitted by Robert (Jnr).

Sharp as blades they are Merv. Better be careful what you say around this lot. You trainers have them well trained. Bet you didn’t think that any of your names would appear on this page eh?

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Lindsay took a shot at reporting for the CJP newsletter. “Hey Frankie! What’s your name?”

I bet you’re asking. Is Frankie another title or something? Nope it’s Frankie’s name alright. Lindsay just had a slight attack of dementia at that precise moment.

Submitted by: Ruth, Rebecca and Robert

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Dolly was talking to Robert and David. Lindsay decided to put in a comment. Dolly’s reply was. “I wasn’t tayin you!” tayin = tellin maybe?

I’m not even going to comment on that one.

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Thanks to all the participants who submitted these funny sayings. It’s funny things like this that keep the spirits up. Laughter is always the best medicine.

Keep them coming people!

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs: 15:13

Teenie Wilton

The Hollow

The house at the Hollow

A one time camping spot

Where the spring use to be

The Shaw’s Hut

Flakes of a stone

The old log cabin at the back of the old house

Wyaralong

The boys in traditional dancing pose

The Wyaralong Cave - A sacred place

The group at Coulson

John telling a story to Ruth and Dolly

The Wyaralong Cave at a distance

Roger in traditional pose at Coulson

The Lost World

A stream in the Lost World

Some of the participants

On a rock in the Lost World

The Girls at The Lost World with John and Lionel

A vision of beauty - The Lost World

Construction

Teddy, Heath Sheldon and Athol hard at work

Ruth, Roger, Dolly and Lindsay

The Leaning Tower of Lindsay

Planning away at Canungra

“No entry please. Construction workers only thankyou.” Says Sheldon

THE TEAM - GOOLGUN YANBE CJP - 2007

I would like to thank Rebecca and Ruth for the photos that they took while at work. The photos have made the newsletter more presentable. Thank you girls!

I would really like to hear from the other participants as well. I am sure that there is something you would like to submit. If there is please feel free to call me or speak to Ruth during the lunch break. The more input the merrier.

The next newsletter is due out on the 9th of March. So you have two weeks to decide what you want to submit. It could be a photo, a story, a poem, a sketch or a comment. It’s entirely up to you. I will gladly publish it for you.

Until next fortnight take care everybody and keep up the good work.

Teenie Wilton

Introducing The Trainers

I don’t have photos of everyone but I am hoping very hard that I can get hold of some somewhere. Hint, hint.

John Long
Construction Supervisor

Mark Christie
Trainer In Construction

Merv Rumpf, Senior Construction Trainer/consultant is teaching the participants how to plan.

Comments

Here are the comments for this Newsletter. Most of the participants were interviewed by Ruth Harwood about the trip out to the Hollow last Friday.
It was peaceful out at the Hollow. I learnt about the spring. I also learned about the Long family stories.
Sharon Reeks

It was my first time out there and it was alright. Uncle John told us some stories. I wouldn’t mind going camping out there soon with my daughter Bella.
Heath Currie

It was great to go out to my home. I feel so peaceful when I’m out there. It’s like no-one can harm me while I’m there.
I learned more about The Hollow and it was good to find out more.
Ruth Harwood

It was good. I didn’t know the spring was out there. Uncle John told us a lot of stories and I didn’t realize how strong the culture was.
I would like to go out again.
It would be good to take the little ones out. To sit down and tell stories to them.
Tina Currie

It was a good tour. I learned that we should respect the land and the area through the laws of the land.
Uncle John told us stories about himself and how he use to get bothered by something because he killed eels and didn’t eat them. I felt like I was being convicted because I use to do that when I was young. It all came back to me.
Athol Bundock

I found out stuff that Dad didn’t tell us. I think it’s cool.
Frank Long (jnr)

I learned a lot more than I knew about it and it was deadly. It was absolutely FANTABULOUS!
Rebecca Coolwell

I found out some more history that Mum didn’t tell me. Roger said to me. “Hey Junior, I didn’t even know there was a camp here”. I’m 28 and I’ve lived out at the Hollow for most of my life and still don’t know all there is to know. Uncle John showed us a lot.
Robert Coolwell

I didn’t know there was a camp out here. We found out things that we didn’t know about.
Roger Coolwell

It was alright. I didn’t know that there was another camp there. It was a bit rough about how those stone collectors took the rock away. The stories that Uncle John told was wicked.
Lindsay Coulthard

The spring as it we spring as it is now.

It was good. Being out there brought back memories. When I was young we use to live in a tent. I learned a little bit more about the place.
Teddy Currie