SELF DETERMINATION

HIPP program on target

Ross Williams, mentor/coordinator on the
HIPP program provides an update

In 1996 Julalikari Council started a Health Infrastructure Priority Project. The goal of this HIPP building program is to replace thirty of the old houses in town with modern houses designed in close consultation with all the families involved. This program is the first and largest HIPP program in Australia.
Thirty houses are to be built by the 19 trainees that are left out of the 28 who started in the middle of 1996. Six of the trainees are women. Julalikari Council is managing the program to train men and women in all aspects of building. This includes metal fabricators, carpenters and landscapers.
Three houses have been knocked down in town and the redevelopment at Mulga Camp will replace the existing houses that are made of asbestos. These houses were built over 20 years ago by contractors who were here one day and gone the next. They did not necessarily understand the needs of the residents and at the time most people did not know how dangerous asbestos was and what precautions you should take when dealing with it. All the necessary precautions are taken when we knock down the old houses.
We are in the 2nd stage of the program so far and in this stage we are to complete 11 houses in one year with the help of contractors. The town as whole will and has benefited from this program as it provided training for locals and business for the town, and most important, better living conditions for our people.

Demolishing Asbestos Houses
When we demolished the houses at Mulga which contained asbestos, we had to follow safety rules. We wore disposable gear from head to toe - dust masks, plastic over our boots and overalls. We wore disposable gear so we would not carry the asbestos fibre outside the worksite. When we took down the asbestos we had to hose it down so that the fibres wouldn't get into the air and the dust. After we finished demolishing we started cleaning up. We wrapped the asbestos in heavy plastic and it was buried in a deep hole at the dump.

Comments from trainees ...
I feel good about doing HIPP because I know I'm working for my people, especially the Warrumungu. The houses we demolished were health hazards because of asbestos. If the asbestos was broken and people breathed in the dust, it could damage their lungs.
We have already built 7 new houses and have 11 more to build this year. These houses are healthier and better designed. We will be building the houses this year with the help of contractors who will be doing the slabs, the roof trusses, the ceilings and the gyprocking. We'll be doing the inside.
Joe Williams

We have now been with the HIPP crew for just over 3 months and are very proud to be participating.
Our supervisors Bob Morris and Jack Beddows are both Boilermaker/Welders by trade. At present we are reconstructing frames, making bulkheads, and making security screens for the verandas. We have used Arc and Mig welding. We have also had other experience such as oxy and cutting steel, using different kinds of power tools, string lining, dyna bolting, making frames, etc. The list doesn't stop for we are learning all the time. And there is never a dull moment, whether we`re working on the job site or in our humble workshop.
We are both happy to have the opportunity to learn welding and building, and if we are determined enough and complete our 2 years we will receive a welding certificate. To us it will be of great benefit to our people to be able to build our own homes in the future and to encourage others, male or female.
by trainee welders
Dorothy Winter and Henry Hunter

Trainee of the month - Joseph Kidd

Joe is a survivor from the first batch of HIPP trainees who started originally on an Access Training Course in 1996. Since concentrating on the building and construction side Joe has moved ahead in "leaps and bounds".
Joseph Kidd is punctual, unassuming and provides a steadying influence at the work-site. His diligence and commitment make Joe a first-class role model.
It remains only to be said that anyone who can break a hammer with his bare hands must be putting 110% effort.

HIPP program on target Ross Williams, mentor/coordinator on the HIPP program provides an update In 1996 Julalikari Council started a Health Infrastructure Priority Project. The goal of this HIPP building program is to replace thirty of the old houses in town with modern houses designed in close consultation with all the families involved. This program is the first and largest HIPP program in Australia. Thirty houses are to be built by the 19 trainees that are left out of the 28 who started in the middle of 1996. Six of the trainees are women. Julalikari Council is managing the program to train men and women in all aspects of building. This includes metal fabricators, carpenters and landscapers. Three houses have been knocked down in town and the redevelopment at Mulga Camp will replace the existing houses that are made of asbestos. These houses were built over 20 years ago by contractors who were here one day and gone the next. They did not necessarily understand the needs of the residents and at the time most people did not know how dangerous asbestos was and what precautions you should take when dealing with it. All the necessary precautions are taken when we knock down the old houses. We are in the 2nd stage of the program so far and in this stage we are to complete 11 houses in one year with the help of contractors. The town as whole will and has benefited from this program as it provided training for locals and business for the town, and most important, better living conditions for our people. Demolishing Asbestos Houses When we demolished the houses at Mulga which contained asbestos, we had to follow safety rules. We wore disposable gear from head to toe - dust masks, plastic over our boots and overalls. We wore disposable gear so we would not carry the asbestos fibre outside the worksite. When we took down the asbestos we had to hose it down so that the fibres wouldn't get into the air and the dust. After we finished demolishing we started cleaning up. We wrapped the asbestos in heavy plastic and it was buried in a deep hole at the dump. Comments from trainees ... I feel good about doing HIPP because I know I'm working for my people, especially the Warrumungu. The houses we demolished were health hazards because of asbestos. If the asbestos was broken and people breathed in the dust, it could damage their lungs. We have already built 7 new houses and have 11 more to build this year. These houses are healthier and better designed. We will be building the houses this year with the help of contractors who will be doing the slabs, the roof trusses, the ceilings and the gyprocking. We'll be doing the inside. Joe Williams We have now been with the HIPP crew for just over 3 months and are very proud to be participating. Our supervisors Bob Morris and Jack Beddows are both Boilermaker/Welders by trade. At present we are reconstructing frames, making bulkheads, and making security screens for the verandas. We have used Arc and Mig welding. We have also had other experience such as oxy and cutting steel, using different kinds of power tools, string lining, dyna bolting, making frames, etc. The list doesn't stop for we are learning all the time. And there is never a dull moment, whether we`re working on the job site or in our humble workshop. We are both happy to have the opportunity to learn welding and building, and if we are determined enough and complete our 2 years we will receive a welding certificate. To us it will be of great benefit to our people to be able to build our own homes in the future and to encourage others, male or female. by trainee welders Dorothy Winter and Henry Hunter Trainee of the month - Joseph Kidd Joe is a survivor from the first batch of HIPP trainees who started originally on an Access Training Course in 1996. Since concentrating on the building and construction side Joe has moved ahead in "leaps and bounds". Joseph Kidd is punctual, unassuming and provides a steadying influence at the work-site. His diligence and commitment make Joe a first-class role model. It remains only to be said that anyone who can break a hammer with his bare hands must be putting 110% effort.		Extraterrestral beings attack an asbestos-ridden house. Derek Clarke Carries on Regardless.