Energy Efficiency Training in Yulara

By Lucas de Lastic 

Training was held at the National Indigenous Training Academy in Yulara from Monday 3rd to Thursday 6th October 2022.

On Sunday morning, the Pawa Atunmankunytjaku project team picked up 16 Energy Education Workers (EEWs) from Indulkana, Mimili, Pukatja, Pipalyatjara, Kalka and Amata. We would like to extend a big thank you to Nugget from Regional Anangu Services Aboriginal Corporation (RASAC) who picked up the EEWs from Kalka and Pipalyatjara. While some of the EEWs had worked for the project previously, most were new to Pawa Atunmankunytjaku. 

We arrived at the Yulara accommodation where we met Melissa Heywood and Leanne Burns from Uniting Communities (UC) who arrived the day before and would be assisting with the training. After a big day on the road, everyone was tired and very hungry! We had a barbecue on the first night and were already very impressed by the EEWs, who were all eager to assist with preparation, cooking and cleaning. 

The training took place over four full days covering many topics relating to the role and Energy Efficiency. The topics covered included: 

• An outline of the job and the importance of the EEW role 
• Electricity basics
• Power at home: disconnection health and safety 
• Comparing appliance consumption including visual plug in power monitor
• Home energy assessment 
• Group discussions on Elder Abuse
• Home energy efficiency 
• Home visit role plays including using the poster book, completing the household questionnaire and understanding confidentiality and consent
• Energy Efficiency problem solving and providing home energy recommendations 

On Thursday afternoon, there was a graduation ceremony where certificates were received. Everyone was feeling positive and very proud of their achievements. 

Our two youngest EEWs, Yueken and Trewvirus ended a great week of training by standing up and practising everything they had learned in front of the whole group!

That evening, we celebrated the week with a buffet dinner at Sails in the Desert. 

On Friday morning, we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways to drop the EEWs back in their communities. In my car, we spent the journey singing loudly to the Warumpi Band, picking roadside Wayanu fruit (Bush Quandongs) and reflecting on a great week.

Over the coming months, EEWs will be visiting houses in their community to share everything they have learned and help people to use less power while staying comfortable in their homes.

Once again, a big thank you to Melissa and Leanne from UC for delivering an excellent training package for our workers, to Tapaya Edwards for interpreting for us and to Nugget for helping with transportation.