Homework centre in Karratha


Brad Snell

It doesn’t look much like a launching pad. But it is.

It’s a non-descript one story building in the corner of a petrol station in Karratha. Inside is a nest of desks; along a far wall - a line of desktop computers.  Working at the desks is a clutch of Year 11 and 12 students, some with mentors and teachers by their sides. Darting about the room and connecting with the students is the local coordinator, Jennifer McMahon, answering a question here; giving a helping hand there.

This is the Karratha centre for Gumala Mirnuwarni which, in both the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi languages means ‘coming together to learn’. The room is a powerhouse of aspiration and education; a launching pad for success and self-fulfilment.

“Gumala Mirnuwarni,” explains Jennifer, “was established in 1997 with the aim of enabling Indigenous students to achieve their potential. Here we provide a place to come after school where they can do their homework, have access to tutoring, undertake research projects on the internet; even have afternoon tea. Gumala Mirnuwarni is in the business of stoking fire in the belly; of heightening students’ desire to succeed.”

Brad Snell, Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Community Education Specialist, who has been involved with the project since its inception, adds “all the partners in the enterprise, the students, their parents or caregivers, the Project Officer and the sponsors sign a pact agreeing to their responsibilities.”

“Our main aim is to help any academically aspirational student go on to further education or an apprenticeship.”

It’s clearly successful. Louise, working at one of the desks, has her eyes on an apprenticeship with Pilbara Iron; Courtney, next to her, is keen on medicine; Billy Blanket, working in the far corner, is set on the law.

A great advocate of the scheme is Joleen Hicks who, at 23, is vivacious, highly focused and a recent graduate of the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Law.

“It taught me confidence and a belief in myself,” she says. “As I have benefited so much from the scheme, now that I’m to become a lawyer I intend returning to the Pilbara to put something back into the system.”