Administrator of Christmas
and Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Community Newsletter
Issue 30 – 30 November 2021
In this issue:Welcome message Latest News - Local spirits flying high over West Coast Eagles visit
- Community Arts Program
- Day Respite Centre – Melbourne Cup 2021
- Rockfall works update
- Behind the scenes with the local IOTA Operations and Power Service teams
- Update from IOTHS – Keeping our community safe and healthy
- Radiographer’s visit
Community Bulletins - IOT COVID-19 subcommittee update - Mandatory Vaccination Requirement for Travel to IOT
- CKI Ferry – Cahaya Baru restored
- Protecting our unique marine environment
- Update on IOT fisheries management
- Boost for IOT businesses through the Northern Australia business development grants program
- Second IOT Research Roundtable Taking Place Today
Public Announcements - Grants identified by the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation
Job Opportunities - Senior Medical Officer - Christmas Island
Welcome MessageWelcome to the latest edition of my newsletter. It has been an exciting time in the Indian Ocean Territories as we welcomed West Coast Eagles players Nic Naitanui and Parris Laurie. Nic and Parris had action-packed visits to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, witnessing first-hand the extraordinary natural environment and multicultural communities that make our region so special. The visit by Nic and Parris has been a fantastic opportunity for the young people in our communities to meet these professional athletes and learn not only about football, but the resilience and commitment required to be successful
both on and off the field. It has been a busy few weeks, with the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Hon Nola Marino, hosting the second annual Research Roundtable at the end of last month. I was pleased to see a large number of attendees from across the scientific, research and education sectors – as well as local participants – at the Roundtable, which saw robust discussion exploring interest in developing a long-term, sustainable research and education industry here in the region. I’d like to extend my thanks to those who helped stage this important event. I look forward to continuing to work with the Assistant Minister, the Department and the community on supporting our economy diversify and grow over the coming years. We also had the announcement that the IOT would be eligible to apply for the exciting, newly announced Northern Australia Development Program, with grants from between $50,000 to $10 million available under the two streams of the program’s first round. The program guidelines for both streams can be found at: https://business.gov.au/news/scale-up-and-diversify-your-business-in-northern-australia, with applications now open, and grants being awarded in February next year. I encourage all eligible small businesses to apply for grants under the program, which
aims to support small businesses in the strategically important Northern Australia region expand and diversify as well as encourage new industry investment. If you would like to find out more about anything in the newsletter or you would like a hardcopy, please contact my office. Let us know if you want us to include your upcoming community event or activity in the newsletter. Stories (including photos) about recent IOT community events are very welcome and can be emailed to IOTAdministrator@infrastructure.gov.au. Mrs Natasha Griggs
Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Community Arts ProgramFantastic progress has been made with the Water Corporation’s community arts program on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, with all murals now completed. On my recent visit to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, I had the opportunity to see for myself the vibrant murals painted by artist Lawry Halden. Artist Pippa Scheepers has also completed her artworks on Christmas Island, despite having the challenges of the heavy rainfall being experienced on island. I am impressed by the high quality of works by
both artists, and how they have captured the communities’ input into the finished designs. The murals have certainly improved the appearance of our water assets and created items of interest for residents and visitors to our islands. I encourage everyone to look and reflect on the murals and recognise the importance of water in our day-to-day lives, as well as the environment. Services provided by Water Corporation in the IOT are delivered in partnership with the Australian Government through Commonwealth funding support.
Day Respite Centre – Melbourne Cup 2021
It was cup fever at the Christmas Island Day Respite Centre as local seniors gathered to celebrate the 2021 Melbourne Cup. Acting health services manager Jane Lawton and Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Graham Forward joined the crowd first for a ribbon dance to loosen up some stiff muscles. The seniors then prepared for their very own Melbourne Cup race, by designing a hat and decorating their horses, with a selection of fine paper hats and horses on display. Using mugs decorated at a recent session, everyone enjoyed a delicious morning tea while watching the horses parade on the big screen. Finally, it was time for the event that stops the nation…
or at least, the younger generation. Attendees cheered along to the Melbourne Cup race before starting their very own. The atmosphere was charged as seniors rolled the dice to hurry their horses along. There were cheers, laughter, even a few nerves. Finally, after an exhausting race, Uncle Khamis Sani took the ‘cup’ (toilet paper and a back scrubber). A big thanks to all the seniors for participating, the Shire and Ani for providing transport and the health care workers who prepared a superb race course The Day Respite Centre, which has been running since June, sees IOTHS and SOCI staff facilitate structured group and individual activities designed to encourage socialisation, increase physical activity and stimulate mental engagement. It’s part of a focus on expanding
aged care services in the IOT and operates every Tuesday morning.
Seniors Melbourne Cup winner, Mr. Khamis Sani.
Rockfall works updateThe Australian Government is continuing to ensure ongoing protection for the community and infrastructure on Christmas Island with works progressing to replace existing protective fencing and berms across Flying Fish Cove. Following the delivery of construction equipment and materials to Christmas Island, major works have recommenced at the site. The first upgraded barrier behind the Boat Club is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The importance of this work was highlighted again on Tuesday 16 November, when a Level 1 Rockfall Activation was implemented,
due to a rockfall at the boat launching carpark escarpment in Flying Fish Cove and the accumulated rainfall in the area. Emergency authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely. An important reminder that residents and visitors in the Kampong residential and recreational areas understand the risk of land slippage and rockfall, and evacuate the area immediately if alarms are sounded or if asked to do so. The construction site fencing is critical for the safety of the community, and will remain in place as an ongoing measure of protection where required. No access behind berms or fences is permitted, with traffic control measures in place for the safety of everyone in the boat club and jetty area. The Government is investing $28.9
million to upgrade and replace infrastructure on Christmas Island to ensure it remains a safe destination to live, work and visit over the coming decades. Planning is under way for future works which involve replacing existing remaining fences and berms as well as installing fit-for-purpose stormwater management in the Drumsite area, to manage the risks of storm water, flooding, landslide and rockfall on Christmas Island. Procurement activities for this work will soon begin. Residents and visitors can communicate with the project team for these works at territories_projects@infrastructure.gov.au
Behind the scenes with the local IOTA Operations and Power Service teamsThe staff who make up the Indian Ocean Territories Administration (IOTA) Operations and Power Service teams are working hard year-round to ensure the maintenance of critical infrastructure and assets across Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, that we all rely on in our daily lives on island. The Territories Operations team manages a large and diverse portfolio of assets ranging from public and staff housing to major emergency infrastructure, fleet vehicles, search and rescue vessels, community facilities including numerous places of worship, and
buildings such as the Recreation Centre, along with land management including land and building leases. Responsible for major refurbishments, day-to-day maintenance and the procurement of new assets to support the livability and wellbeing of our communities, an excellent example is the work they are currently undertaking to maintain the Christmas Island Recreation Centre. In continuous operation since 2004, as with many buildings located in the IOT, the tropical climate and weather has led to a corrosion of metal structures and associated metal work at the Rec Centre. After 16 years of exposure to the elements, much of this is in need of refurbishment or replacement. The Centre received in excess of 22,000 visits in the 2019-20 calendar year,
not including café or function patrons. The Operations team manages the Centre contract with CASA Leisure. The Operations team is also busy working to finalise repairs to an 85m section of the seawall on Christmas Island which recently failed. This repair has used on-island resources for construction and off-island resources for engineering design and advice to provide a solution that is substantially stronger than the original, setting the standard for future seawall construction and repairs into the future. The 600m seawall along Jalan Pantai and Flying Fish Cove has been built and repaired in various sections since the late 1960s. Failure of the seawall during storm events presents a risk to houses and infrastructure, and may lead to
the loss of sections of the road, disruption to power, communications, water supply and sewerage services and possible flooding of Kampong residential buildings and the port infrastructure. The Department is responsible for the supply of electricity in the Indian Ocean Territories including electricity generation, distribution and management of customer accounts including measurement of electricity consumption, billing and debt management. The team also manages a renewable energy buy-back scheme for roof-top solar and manages the diesel fuel storages on Christmas Island used by Australian government agencies. On CKI, day-to-day maintenance and operations of the Department’s power generation and distribution assets is undertaken by WA
Water Corporation under a service delivery arrangement, however on Christmas Island all activities are undertaken by departmental staff which include skilled mechanical and electrical trades workers. A key focus this year has been on undertaking major overhauls of the generator sets at the Christmas Island Power Station to ensure ongoing reliability. Each generator requires an overhaul after 16,000 hours of operating time which is the equivalent of running non-stop for just under two years. The overhauls had been delayed due to pandemic disruptions in 2020. This has been a major effort by the staff involved. One of the other priority areas for the power service is replacing end-of-life overhead power lines with underground power cables. Underground power cables are more reliable and safer in our tropical environment, require much less maintenance and vegetation-clearing than overhead lines and remove the risk to the public of fallen power lines during storms. Last year, some 3.5km of overhead power line was placed underground including priority areas such the spur line providing electricity to the airport and power supply to the Christmas Island Hospital. This work was possible through the tailored IOT COVID economic stimulus package funded by the Australian Government. Within the next 12 months, a further 4km of overhead power line is planned to be removed. The local staff are directly involved in the cable laying, cable jointing and testing, essential skills for making repairs in event of fault or emergency
and for keeping the power on to the community. A big thank you to the Operations and Power teams and their on-island crews who keep our communities up and running.
Update from IOTHS – Keeping our community safe and healthyIOT has been lucky to have had no COVID cases on the islands to date. But we have had many other respiratory viruses which also spread very easily throughout the community causing illness, and time off school and work. When entering the clinic or hospital, you will be asked if you have any of the following symptoms: - Sore throat (or scratchy throat)
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Fever
Please answer these questions honestly. If you have any of these symptoms, even if they are only mild, answer “Yes” and you will then be directed to the Respiratory Clinic (ambulance bay) to be seen. It is essential we keep these respiratory viruses out of the hospital to protect other waiting patients, hospital patients and hospital staff. When staff catch these viruses, they also have to go home to isolate causing staff shortages and difficulty providing care to the community. If you have a virus, you will be advised to stay home until the symptoms have resolved. We understand this can
be frustrating but it is very important that everyone works together to help keep our community healthy. COVID-19 information sessions are being held on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands per the below: Home Island - Friday 3rd December 4.30pm, Under the Cyclone Shelter
West Island - Wed 1st December 4pm, On the CRC veranda
RADIOGRAPHER’S VISIT (FOR COMPLEX X-RAYS AND ULTRASOUND)A radiographer will be in attendance at the health service to provide radiologist service from 03/12/2021 - 10/12/2021.
Patients who need to have follow-up by the radiographer are requested to contact the health service reception (tel:91648333) to arrange an appointment. Patients will require a referral from their doctor.
RADIOGRAPHER (UNTUK SINAR X-RAYS DAN ULTRABUNYI-(ULTRASOUND)YANG RUMIT)Kehadiran seorang jururadiografi untuk memberi perkhidmatan
Radiology Daripada 03/12/2021 hingga 10/12/2021
Pesakit yang memerlukan perkidmatan radiology di minta untuk menghubungi bahagian administrasi di hospital (talipon: 91648333) untuk mengaturkan jadual masa pertemuan. Pesaki akan memerlukan satu surat rujukan daripada doctor.
放射技师接诊日程安排 (擅长复合X射线及超声波技术)放射技师将于二零二一 年 十二 月 三 日至二零二一 年 十二 月 十日 在圣诞 岛医院 为患 者提供 放射诊 断服务。 接受放射技师跟踪服务的患者请与医院接待处预约 (电话9164 8333) 患者须经其主治医生转诊。
Grants identified by the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation Northern Australia Development ProgramThe Australian Government has announced the Northern Australia Development Program. Projects in the IOT are eligible for this funding. The program supports small and medium sized businesses to scale up and grow. It focuses on economic
diversification and job creation, and also aims to strengthen business capability and resilience. Projects are expected to provide regional economic benefit. There are three parts of the program: business development grants for small and medium business (up to 199 employees) for between $50,000 and $2 million; industry development grants for medium to large businesses (greater than 20 employees) for grants between $3 million and $10 million; and business advisory services to build and strengthen businesses. Up to 50% of eligible project expenditure can be funded. Applications open on 4 November 2021 and the program closes on 24 October 2023. The program is open for applications throughout the year. The assessment committee receives batched applications to consider approximately every 3 months. Strengthening Rural Communities Grants ProgramThe Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal has announced a new round of grant funding for the Strengthening Rural Communities Program. Grants of up to $10,000 are available. A broad range of charitable projects are considered under this program, including: delivering or providing activities, events, programs and services; purchasing or hiring equipment and materials; community infrastructure projects; organisational capacity building; and community resource development. Not-for-profit, community-based organisations in the IOT
are eligible to apply. Applications close on 22 February 2022. Previous recipients of this grant include Christmas Island District High School and Parks Australia for the Christmas Island Student Ranger and Crab Cadets project. Environment Restoration Fund Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan - Priority Species grant programApplications are now open for the Environment Restoration Fund Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan - Priority Species grant program. This program provides funding to undertake
activities that will protect, enhance, rehabilitate, recover and/or restore priority species and their habitats. The Christmas Island Goshawk is on the list of 100 priority species. Incorporated entities, not-for-profit organisations and trustees, and regional National Resource Management (NRM) organisations, are eligible to apply. An Australian local government agency or body, universities and other publicly funded research organisations can be part of a joint application but cannot apply as a lead organisation. The grant amount may be for up to 100% of eligible project expenditure. The minimum grant amount is $50,000 and the maximum grant amount is $250,000. Applications close on 13 December 2021. Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and
International CompetitionsApplications are now open for the Sponsorship Science Engagement and International Competitions grants. These Australian Government grants provide funds to sponsor young Australians to take part in-person or virtually in STEM engagement activities, activities and competitions. Schools, incorporated not-for-profit organisations and entities incorporated in Australia applying on behalf of a student or a group of students can apply. Applications close on 25 January 2022. Looking for a
grant? Are you looking for a grant but are not sure where to start? For links to grant websites to get you started head to the Grants section on the RDO’s website. Grant checklist for businesses Do you want to apply for government funding or an assistance program to help your business conduct research, grow or recover? The Australian Government has developed The Check to help you determine if you are ready to apply for a grant. The Check will help you understand the grant application process and guide you through the steps you need to take to improve your chances of getting funding or assistance.
Senior Medical Officer
Christmas Island2 year Fixed Term Non-Ongoing Vacancy – Full Time
(with a possibility of two further two year extensions at the department’s discretion) Generous remuneration package available - negotiable
(may include remote support package of relocation assistance, district allowance and access to subsidised housing and vehicle) The Indian Ocean Territories Administration (IOTA) is currently seeking motivated, professional and suitably qualified persons to join our team as the Senior Medical officer (SMO) within the Indian Ocean Territories Health Service (IOTHS) based on Christmas Island. The IOTHS delivers a primary and acute health care service in two of Australia’s most remote and most spectacular settings - Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI). IOTHS includes a 24 hour eight bed hospital and primary care facility on CI and clinics on Home and West Islands in the CKI. The IOTHS is committed to “Working with our communities to keep us healthy for the
whole of our lives”. The SMO is primarily responsible for the delivery of quality medical and emergency services to the communities of CI and the CKI, the SMO will: - Supervise and support the District Medical Officers on both Christmas Island (CI) and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI); the Medical Scientist and Community Social Worker on CI, using performance agreements and structured performance appraisals;
- Undertake clinical duties by providing direct patient care to the community in primary, secondary, emergency and community health care settings;
- Provide advice on the appropriate visiting specialist’s arrangements (medical and allied health) and for reviewing services provided;
- Provide leadership to direct reports and ensure responsible, efficient and effective management of the human, physical, financial and systems resources for medical services.
In addition, the SMO further plays a key role within the Executive Management Team of the IOTHS. Our ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and manage a clinical portfolio. In addition, will have recent (within the last 12 months) and substantial experience working effectively in a rural or remote cross cultural environment within an Emergency Department and in in-patient management, public
health, women’s health, child health, chronic disease management and also possess emergency life support skills. The successful candidate will be registered as a medical practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA), or provide evidence of ability to register as well as hold a post graduate qualification and / or have recognised current clinical experience in General Practice. Further, the successful applicant will also hold a current ‘C’ class manual Driver’s Licence transferable to the Indian Ocean Territories and be subject to a health assessment and Working with Children Check. For an application pack outlining how you can apply for this opportunity, please contact the IOTA Human Resources Team at IOTHRTeam@infrastructure.gov.au and quote position number 109097. Applications close 3.00pm (Christmas Island local time), Wednesday 8 December 2021
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