Western Roads Federation – WA Transport supports Waste to Wages

Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION by Cam Dumesny, CEO

Last month, myself representing Western Roads Federation and the Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Labor Senator for Western Australia, Glenn Sterle took a full road train of pre-loved and unwanted furniture from Perth to Kununurra to support local families in the East Kimberley.

I don’t think too many Australian Federal Senators can drive a road train, let alone drive one up and back to Kununurra.

To make this possible, the support and contribution from our West Australian transport industry was incredible.

As was the reception we received once we got there.

Established in mid-2017 by East Kimberley Job Pathways (EKJP) which is owned in partnership by Wunan Aboriginal Corporation and the Kununurra Region Economic Aboriginal Corporation - Revive operates as a ‘Waste to Wages’ social enterprise. While on wages with Revive, job seekers are supported to gain skills and experience in order to obtain sustainable

Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Labor Senator for Western Australia, Glenn Sterle and Western Roads Federation CEO Cam Dumesny employment in the open labour market - which in turn creates opportunities for successive job seekers.

The ‘Waste to Wages’ program trains and employs Aboriginal youth to collect and repair recyclable items for their recycling store.

The workers repair old furniture and push bikes as well as create art out of used materials which are then sold on to the local community at an affordable price.

Families come from as far away as Balgo, Halls Creek and Kalumburu to purchase these much-needed items. EKJP underpins all costs associated with operating the enterprise and utilises funds derived through the sale of products, namely furniture, to directly employ vulnerable Aboriginal job seekers on a supported wage.

Arthur Tzaneros at ACFS Port Logistics donated a brand new 2653 Mercedes Benz Prime Mover with fuel, a trailer and dolly for the journey.

The Prime Mover is covered at the front in artwork designed by a young aboriginal artist from the Kimberley. You can now see the truck running around Perth and Fremantle port.

Nick D’Adamo and his team at Keys – The Moving Solution in Canning Vale assisted with

loading and storing furniture that has been donated by generous community members.

In addition to this, Nick has donated a significant amount of extra furniture that was also delivered and a trailer for it to be transported in. Nick and four of his staff also very generously donated their own time on a Saturday morning recently to load all of the furniture in preparation for departure.

On the trip, we also took the time to stop and meet with Truck Drivers in Port Hedland who have been unable to return to their homes in the East since April. Before anyone makes the comment that they should move here, you should first listen to their stories. Bluntly some of them are downright heart breaking.

Thanks to G&S Transport and North West Quarries for putting on a BBQ and a couple of rehydrating beverages.

Scott Huntsman from All-Cast PPE Supplies who donated 1800 Australian made medical face masks to support the local community and health practitioners.

Senator Louise Pratt for the donation of art supplies that were delivered during the journey to help young children on the Dampier Peninsula

Finally, a big thank you to Daimler, BP, and 3M for their support..

WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION IS THE UNITED VOICE OF WA TRANSPORT COMPANIES Western Roads Federation has been formed to give a strong unified voice for companies who use WA roads for commercial benefit. Western Roads Federation is a membership driven organisation. If you believe in the industry and what you do, then make sure your company is a member, and get involved. For a membership application form Email cam.dumesny@westernroads.com.au ◆ Phone 08 9365 7799 or 0481 064 371 180 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004