Remote family left destitute while governments pass buck on electrical fault

AN ENTIRE community and a charity have banded together to rebuild a family home destroyed by an electrical fire, while the state and federal governments dodge responsibility.

National charity, Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) has been working with Mr Claude Carter and his family in the remote community of Bawooorrooga, Western Australia, over the last two years after a 2017 fire destroyed their home, belongings, artwork and artefacts. The electrical fault had been identified by the community and reported to government agencies. The family had even offered to get it fixed but were refused permission.

The family were left in a desperate situation while the WA state and federal governments continue to argue responsibility.

Mr Carter, his wife Andrea Pindan, their children, and grandchildren have since lived in a tin shed in temperatures often exceeding 45 degrees Celsius. 

“We don’t want a hand-out, we want a hand up,” Mr Carter said. “We want to be self-sufficient on our homeland – show them we can do it. To be independent.”

Since FISH learned of the community’s plight, it has been working with the community to rebuild and develop sustainable plans for the future. The community is traumatised, both from the fire and from the impact of generational trauma, pervasive throughout Indigenous Australia. 

Click on the link to see their achievements to date: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQWMayxYcuc&t=2s

Bawoorrooga Community is in the Kimberley region 3,500km from Perth. The community has embraced the opportunity to rebuild, despite daunting obstacles due to their remoteness, lack of shelter, extreme heat, isolation, lack of electricity and phone signal, torrential storms and physical and mental health issues.

“It has been a very challenging time for Bawoorrooga Community. They tried to get the electrical problem fixed but due to the delay by government they lost their house and all of their belongings. They have now taken matters into their own hands and worked hard to rebuild and bring positive change.” - Mark Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, FISH.

FISH worked through a co-design process and integrated cultural and sustainable design elements. Bawoorrooga is now building the very first culturally-designed SuperAdobe (earthbag) house in Australia. The house is being built from the red earth of Gooniyandi homeland and the tireless labour of community members – young and old – as a lasting and sustainable example of Aboriginal empowerment. 

“We got tired of listening to the State and Federal Governments argue about who was responsible, so with the support of FISH we have just got on with it ourselves,” Mr Carter said.

Through the support of the Bendat Family Foundation, Marra Worra Worra, Newcrest Mining, Faith Community Church, and other individuals, the design and construction has been able to begin. 

“We’d like to thank everyone for helping us heal. All that is behind us now – we’re moving forward. We hope for this sort of project to happen in other communities that are battling like us,” Mr Carter said.

FISH has suspended on-site works and returned to Perth to raise further funds to complete the rebuild. The community also recently exhibited their artwork in Perth as part of this effort. The house is four months from completion, but cannot proceed without further support. 

“We’ve come so far – we’d like to complete it, finish it off. All these people who’ve supported and helped us – we’re very happy for what they’ve done for us. We want this project to go forward to other communities. You mob lifted one family group up onto their two feet and supported us – now it’s not gonna stand here in one place - it’s gonna carry on.” – Claude Carter. 

To support Bawoorrooga Community Rebuild, donate through the FISH-Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FISH-Foundation-for-Indigenous-Sustainable-Health-182480485199734/, through the GoFundMe campaign https://www.gofundme.com/bawoorrooga-community-rejuvenation or online at https://www.fish.asn.au/make-a-difference/donate/

For a copy of the art catalogue email [email protected] and purchase a piece of artwork from Bawoorrooga Community artists which will also support the redevelopment.