Beyond Billabong

Background

Beyond Billabong was formed out of the work that had been conducted by Boyd Curran with the Waanyi people who are 51% owners of the Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Pastoral Holding Company (LHRPHC). Commencing in 2001 LHRPHC initiated a personal development training program on Riversleigh Station that achieved real outcomes for the participants, both personally and vocationally.

The Riversleigh training program started with the aim of delivering training based on achieving a Certificate II in Beef Agriculture. It became evident very quickly that the participants on the program lacked the necessary life skills to have any prospect of sustainable employment. The program developed over time and has now become a program with a focus on the development of the life and vocational skills of the individual. The goal is to have a positive influence on the individual and empower them to make positive life choices.

There was an overwhelming demand for the programs being delivered by LHRPHC given the lack of employment opportunities and social dysfunction of the Aboriginal communities in all parts of Australia, with LHRPHC being inundated with persons wanting to participate in their programs.

Other programs that have been conducted by LHRPHC under the stewardship of Boyd include:

  • The Lower Gulf Indigenous Beef Alliance – Beef Drive 2004
  • The Lower Gulf Indigenous Beef Alliance – Land Drive 2005
  • The Riversleigh Surf and Turf program – 2007 and 2008

The Beef Drive took 36 Indigenous youth on a cattle drive from Julia Creek to Longreach and was featured on Landline and the 7-30 Report. All programs have been funded by LHRPHC and in 2007 LHRPHC won the Queensland Premier’s Employment and Training award at the Reconciliation Awards.

Beyond Billabong plans to expand upon these programs and take them to a wider audience recognising the need for such programs in all areas of Australia. The entry-level program is called the Billabong to Beach program which aims to deliver Life Skills to allow participants to make better life choices and motivate them to have a positive life.

The Billabong to Beach program is based upon the highly successful Surf and Turf program conducted by LHRPHC.