How good are you at problem solving?
Our country has around 500,000 Aboriginals - not a huge number, when you think about it.
Can you think of any practical ways to help the plight of even just a few of those Aboriginals wanting help? The various governments have poured a fortune into the problem - with dismal results.
What are some practical ideas we can come up with as individuals, groups and businesses that might actually do some good to even just a handful of Aboriginals? I don't believe the problem is as insoluble as it is made out to be.
I have thought about this question for a year now and I have come up with some starting-point ideas of my own. Yet whenever I raise my ideas with others, invariably the response is negative - "No, that wouldn't work because...blah, blah, blah."
That is why I would like to get this thread going - and to state upfront the rule of the thread:
People are encouraged to present ideas, but no-one is allowed to criticise the ideas presented.
People can improve on an idea that is presented - for example " maybe the idea of .... would work even better if this happened" or whatever.
But no-one can criticise someone else's idea.
I do not claim my ideas are perfect or will even work - they are just starter ideas - maybe a better idea can grow out of each of them. The ideas you contribute don't have to be perfect either.
I'm hoping together we can come up with at least 50 ideas - they don't even have to be original ideas - maybe they are ideas that others have tried and have succeeded to some extent.
So here goes - and remember, no criticism!
1. I read in the paper recently that Antabuse is finally available as an implant. Antabuse used to be a popular treatment for problem drinkers - they would take a tablet each day. If they drank alcohol, they would feel extremely ill. The implant is so much handier - presumably it acts for a few months.
My idea is that all problem drinkers - including aboriginal problem drinkers -could be told about the availability of the antabuse implant and be given the Antabuse for free if they were interested.
Funding? Government or some kind philanthropist
2. There are few opportunities for a quality high school education in rural and remote areas. Each of our capital cities offer a few quality standout public high schools - in Perth, these schools include Churchlands, Applecross, Rossmoyne, , Willetton, Perth Modern.
These schools tend to be in expensive residential areas, but sometimes there are more affordable sububs within their catchment areas.
One example is Willetton - the suburb of Willetton is very affordable compared with lots of other Perth suburbs.
My idea is to find ONE aboriginal family living in a rural/remore area in WA where the parents arekeen to move to Perth to provide a quality high school education for their children. That family could be helped transfer to Perth, put up in affortable rental accommodation, in say Willetton, helped to find jobs and helped to get their children up to speed in academic areas.
In time, when the husband and wife get on their feet financially, say after a couple of years, they start repaying the money spent on setting them up. This money can then be used to fund the next family.
What is required? For the implementer to purchase one house in the school catchment area; locate one suitable Aboriginal family looking to re-locate to the city for the benefit of their children ; some set-up funds; a supportive network of people wishing to help the family get settled.
3. Sponsor academically talented aboriginal children living in remote areas to attend a boarding school in the city. Noel Pearson is keen on this idea - it is expensive as it would cost around $300,000 for 6 years of high school education - but it is do-able - and is already happening in various private schools around Ausstralia.
Perhaps a Rotary-type organisation or a business like Wesfarmers would be interested in sponsoring one or more children. Maybe the boarding school could offer half-scholoarships, or maybe the government could meet the cost dollar for dollar.
4. Have a mining/oil company adopt their local aboriginal community.
Instead of paying a full royalty to the government, each resource company could be allowed to divert some of the royalty money to help build infrastructure and education and health services to the local aboriginal community. Beach Petroleum is doing this voluntarily. In November, they announced committing $600,000 of their profits to helping with the education and employment of Ceduna aboriginal youths.
Andrew Forrest, MD of Fortescue (FMG), is deeply committed to helping the Aboriginal cause. His company has established an Aboriginal traineeship scheme. (He also has stated publicly he plans to give the bulk of his wealth away to good causes - and the aboriginal cause is high on his list.)
My idea is to get the government to allow resource companies to take a hands-on involvement in their aboriginal communities, rather than the government taking the tax money from the resource companies and for the government to then spend it on the Aboriginal cause.
OK - there are four ideas - we need 46 more ideas - or improvements on those ideas - but remember NO criticism of the ideas!!!
Carol
Our country has around 500,000 Aboriginals - not a huge number, when you think about it.
Can you think of any practical ways to help the plight of even just a few of those Aboriginals wanting help? The various governments have poured a fortune into the problem - with dismal results.
What are some practical ideas we can come up with as individuals, groups and businesses that might actually do some good to even just a handful of Aboriginals? I don't believe the problem is as insoluble as it is made out to be.
I have thought about this question for a year now and I have come up with some starting-point ideas of my own. Yet whenever I raise my ideas with others, invariably the response is negative - "No, that wouldn't work because...blah, blah, blah."
That is why I would like to get this thread going - and to state upfront the rule of the thread:
People are encouraged to present ideas, but no-one is allowed to criticise the ideas presented.
People can improve on an idea that is presented - for example " maybe the idea of .... would work even better if this happened" or whatever.
But no-one can criticise someone else's idea.
I do not claim my ideas are perfect or will even work - they are just starter ideas - maybe a better idea can grow out of each of them. The ideas you contribute don't have to be perfect either.
I'm hoping together we can come up with at least 50 ideas - they don't even have to be original ideas - maybe they are ideas that others have tried and have succeeded to some extent.
So here goes - and remember, no criticism!
1. I read in the paper recently that Antabuse is finally available as an implant. Antabuse used to be a popular treatment for problem drinkers - they would take a tablet each day. If they drank alcohol, they would feel extremely ill. The implant is so much handier - presumably it acts for a few months.
My idea is that all problem drinkers - including aboriginal problem drinkers -could be told about the availability of the antabuse implant and be given the Antabuse for free if they were interested.
Funding? Government or some kind philanthropist
2. There are few opportunities for a quality high school education in rural and remote areas. Each of our capital cities offer a few quality standout public high schools - in Perth, these schools include Churchlands, Applecross, Rossmoyne, , Willetton, Perth Modern.
These schools tend to be in expensive residential areas, but sometimes there are more affordable sububs within their catchment areas.
One example is Willetton - the suburb of Willetton is very affordable compared with lots of other Perth suburbs.
My idea is to find ONE aboriginal family living in a rural/remore area in WA where the parents arekeen to move to Perth to provide a quality high school education for their children. That family could be helped transfer to Perth, put up in affortable rental accommodation, in say Willetton, helped to find jobs and helped to get their children up to speed in academic areas.
In time, when the husband and wife get on their feet financially, say after a couple of years, they start repaying the money spent on setting them up. This money can then be used to fund the next family.
What is required? For the implementer to purchase one house in the school catchment area; locate one suitable Aboriginal family looking to re-locate to the city for the benefit of their children ; some set-up funds; a supportive network of people wishing to help the family get settled.
3. Sponsor academically talented aboriginal children living in remote areas to attend a boarding school in the city. Noel Pearson is keen on this idea - it is expensive as it would cost around $300,000 for 6 years of high school education - but it is do-able - and is already happening in various private schools around Ausstralia.
Perhaps a Rotary-type organisation or a business like Wesfarmers would be interested in sponsoring one or more children. Maybe the boarding school could offer half-scholoarships, or maybe the government could meet the cost dollar for dollar.
4. Have a mining/oil company adopt their local aboriginal community.
Instead of paying a full royalty to the government, each resource company could be allowed to divert some of the royalty money to help build infrastructure and education and health services to the local aboriginal community. Beach Petroleum is doing this voluntarily. In November, they announced committing $600,000 of their profits to helping with the education and employment of Ceduna aboriginal youths.
Andrew Forrest, MD of Fortescue (FMG), is deeply committed to helping the Aboriginal cause. His company has established an Aboriginal traineeship scheme. (He also has stated publicly he plans to give the bulk of his wealth away to good causes - and the aboriginal cause is high on his list.)
My idea is to get the government to allow resource companies to take a hands-on involvement in their aboriginal communities, rather than the government taking the tax money from the resource companies and for the government to then spend it on the Aboriginal cause.
OK - there are four ideas - we need 46 more ideas - or improvements on those ideas - but remember NO criticism of the ideas!!!
Carol
