Martuku Jijiku Maya 

 

Secondary students living in remote Aboriginal communities in the western desert now have access to a residential hostel in Newman, allowing them the opportunity to improve access to education and further training whilst maintaining strong connections with family and to Country. 

Two Jigalong residents are preparing to commence at Newman Senior High School in July 2022 following the completion of refurbishments on three Newman properties to establish the Martu Student Residential Facility. 

The houses, provided by BHP, have been renovated to make them suitable as a student boarding facility with discrete accommodation for male and female students separated by a centralised administration hub and meeting place. 

The new facility enables students to live close to Country while providing greater access to secondary schooling and vocational programs. 54 Reasons (formerly Save the Children) has been engaged to manage the facility and support the students while they are living away from home.

 The facility will operate as a pilot for three years to determine the demand for a larger purpose-built facility in Newman. 

The Commission is committed to improving education outcomes and supporting life-long learning for residents in all communities across the region. 

The completion of this project will open new pathways for students living in remote communities to maintain a strong connection to their families, Country, and culture, while also providing access to high quality education and training. 

The project has been delivered through a partnership between the Pilbara Development Commission, Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC) (formerly Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation, the Martu Schools Alliance with the support of BHP.