Community Projects
The operation of NPC has provided numerous opportunities to contribute to the development of the Doomadgee community and other Indigenous communities in the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria region. These contributions to the community are ongoing and vary in scale and are delivered by Waanyi Nation Aboriginal Corporation, using profits from NPC's commercial project.
NPC are strongly committed to projects that support the community and that will restore a sense of pride and respect among the Waanyi people.
Business incubation
NPC are helping local families to start up their own small business which can be supported by NPC. NPC aim to incubate these businesses by providing sub-contracts from NPC and helping with administration support. The incubation model is based on a partnership with local family businesses and NPC which allows NPC to deliver its aims while supporting small businesses to grow and be sustainable.
Reviving the Waanyi language
Perhaps our most important contribution to the local community so far is our efforts to revitalise the Waanyi language. Profits from NPC’s operations have allowed NPC to restore and revive the Waanyi language thorough the development of language resource material and programs developed with the local schools. Language is paramount to the maintenance of Waanyi culture and is very important to the community. There are few remaining speakers of Waanyi and many reside in the town of Doomadgee and its surrounds. This is an urgent project, which promises positive outcomes for current and future Waanyi people by maintaining and revitalising the culture through language. By preserving the language, we preserve the culture too – for current and future generations.
We plan for the language to be delivered in local schools and the community centre. We will supporting the publication of books, biographies, posters, videos, interactive DVDs and more. We are also investigating a site for a language and cultural centre, which will eventually form part of a cultural tourism initiative in the local area.
Local sponsorships
NPC is the major sponsor of the Doomadgee Rodeo, one of the great sporting events in the gulf region. We also bring Doomadgee children to Brisbane to experience city life and to visit the coast. Plans are also underway to organise a sporting and music festival in Doomadgee for Gulf communities where different mobs can come together, participate and celebrate their people and country.
Scholarships program
NPC fund scholarships for eligible Waanyi kids to attend private boarding schools in order to receive the education which cannot be provided in these local communities. NPC has significant funds set aside to pay for school fees, tuition costs, books, uniforms etc at selected schools which can deliver the appropriate education for these kids. This program is done in partnership with organisations who have successfully worked in this area for some time.
Post mining infrastructure
NPC are involved in the establishment of infrastructure and business which will support the Waanyi people in the post mining environment. One example of this is a cultural tourism initiative in the local area, part of which includes plans for a language and cultural centre.
Recreational facilities and events
Another important community project is the support and funding of recreational facilities and events in Doomadgee and other Gulf communities.
Lawn Hill Riversleigh Pastoral property
NPC provided funds for the development of infrastructure on the Lawn Hill Riversleigh Pastoral property to allow semi-permanent occupation on these lands for the Waanyi people.
