TENNANT CREEK GATHERS MOMENTUM

The Barkly College’s Tennant Creek Academy has been in a wonderful partnership with the Tennant Creek community, including various clubs, community organisations and businesses.

As the Clontarf Foundation rolled into the High School of the Barkly College back in October of 2009, Emmerson Resources were one of the first businesses to show interest and quickly moved to provide financial support and partner with the Academy.

Emmerson were also instrumental in encouraging their drilling contractors to partner with the Academy with both McKay Drilling and Bullion Drilling joining.

Emmerson’s Exploration Manager Steve Russell says supporting the Clontarf Foundation and Tennant Creek youth is endorsed at the highest level with the Company’s board members embracing the program. “Football is a brilliant vehicle and encourages the male youth of our town to develop teamwork, discipline, mutual respect and endurance skills, which are all key skills that Emmerson considers critical to a successful transition into the workforce and even further study”.

As part of their partnering commitment Emmerson are providing some of the local Clontarf students with after school and holiday employment.

Matthew Holt (left) and Phillip O'Keefe

The employment program set out for the students Richie Holt, 18, Corey McDowell, 17, Matthew Holt, 16 and Phillip O’Keefe, 15 essentially commences immediately after school from Monday to Friday. Clontarf staff members assist the students in transport to and from Emmerson exploration office after school where they have undertaken in the few months of employment to date.

Tasks ranging from washing down vehicles to heading out onto the drill sites to watch and assist with drilling programs have been strategically set out by Emmerson.

The students are required to wear suitable protective clothing which has been kindly supplied by Emmerson and Julalikari Remote Employment Services, have completed workplace safety inductions and they learn key foundation employment skills which will give them a huge head start as they seek to enter the workforce or continue their studies.

To date, the focus of the students and attitudes toward working with Emmerson has been terrific. Steve feels that one of the great outcomes of the employment program is that it provides the students with an opportunity to work side by side with Emmerson staff and to experience all aspects of working in a passionate exploration team.

It would be a fantastic outcome if this introduction to the business ultimately encourages one or more of the students to embark on further study or assists them in entering full time employment.

It must also be said that Emmerson’s attitudes toward the students has been exceptional. This partnership we are pleased to say is groundbreaking in having the foresight to not only sponsor the program, but actively provide real employment opportunities to the foundation’s local academy. The students are paid award rates and we hope the partnership with Emmerson continues well into the future.

Steve from Emmerson encourages Tennant Creek businesses “get on board” and see the real benefits for their business in providing these types of employment opportunities for the boys. “After school and holiday work can lead to long term employment post schooling which undoubtedly benefits the individual, their immediate family and our community at large”.

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