The Ali Curung Internet Facility - a part of the SRA

For a detailed run down about the Internet facility keep checking the main blog "The Ali Curung SRA".

The email below was sent out to members of the ICC, Ali Curung Council, Northern Territory Government and new Barkly Shire Administration. The Barkly Shire reply made it clear that they would not be able to support the facility. They are of the opinion that it is not a core service, and to continue it should pay for itself. No other department responded. Even a request to provide the agreed 35,000 for a coordinator as part of the SRA was ignored.

The centre will never be a proper business in an impoverished community and this is an 'inconvenient truth' for the new Barkly Shire and other government bodies. It connects to the Internet via satellite, charged at extortionate rates by Telstra. Telstra has so far defaulted on their contracted agreement with Ali Curung Council to supply the far cheaper option of BDSL. Even ADSL would be acceptable. Also, the fifty or so thousand dollars a year for a coordinator can never be generated from time charges alone.

The message from the bureaucrats also suggests that it has to be run as a business. This community has no one with adequate literacy or numeracy skills, experience even desire to do this. The whole aim of the facility is to help people break out of their situation so that in the long term they can run their own businesses or gain qualifications suitable for the main stream economy.

There is a paradox. We installed highly regarded literacy and numeracy software, 'Successmaker' on two computers. Not only is the internet centre educational but it is also diversionary. The only other place these people access this software is in Alice Springs prison.

The Email:

Before I leave Ali Curung it is important to give you a full run down on the state of play with the internet cafe and try and provide some insight as to its crucial role in this community as well as the complexities of running it.

The internet facility is more than just an access point for the internet. It is also of major importance as a diversionary and educational centre for disengaged school leavers.

Currently, the internet cafe is run by a combination of me, Luke Kelly with periodic appearances by Lionel James. My main function is to maintain the computers and network while Luke Kelly works as a tutor funded by DEET helping people with computer access and most importantly mentoring about a dozen people a week in literacy and numeracy using a software programme called "successmaker". Luke also plays a major supervisory role in the facility to ensure no damage or misbehaviour takes place. This work is voluntary.

Lionel James is paid by CDEP and is often away. In addition, because Ali Curung is a complex community comprising four language groups, he has limited influence and ability to carry out a supervisory role to a standard needed to maintain the facility. An outsider can only carry this out.

There are ten client computers (fully utilised) plus a 'server'computer all of which access the internet via another computer with satellite access to the internet. Two computers are loaded with "successmaker" software, which is highly regarded. An internet cafe software management software from Antamedia manages the client computers. This software also logs all use. All computers have filtering software, antivirus and malware software.Basic computer security is controlled by several levels of user names and passwords.

The whole setup was funded by 50,000 from DBERD as a part of a Shared Responsibility Agreement and I understand, was enthusiastically supported by Elliot McAdam.

Currently, the community accesses computers and internet by purchasing a ticket from the council for 50c. This allows one hour of computer time. Access to literacy and numeracy learning is free. An initial charge of 2.00 was levied but declining bank deposits suggested this charge was too high. A conversation with an experienced operator in the BIA (Building Indigenous Ability- Dept of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy) suggested that any charge in impoverished communities was too much so the council agreed to the current charge of 50c. This has maintained and increased community engagement. For people here, working in the community to build capacity, this is seen to be a crucial part of the process.

There is an opinion that the charge of 50c should be increased to 5.00 because this is what is charged at Alpurrurulam. Ali Curung is quite a different community to Alpurrurulam. The main difference is that Alpurrurulam has one language group and Ali Curung has four. It is likely that this factor more than any other is a main barrier to capacity building. This is why we consider the internet facility to be a vital component of the capacity building process. Complex traditional rules govern individuals within language groups and complex rules exist between groups. Combined, this means that for any individual to work in the community of Ali Curung for the whole community is a very difficult task.

This facility is neutral ground with a whole set of rules that are outside traditional, opening windows on life in the outside world in unprecedented ways as well as providing learning opportunities for individuals in their own time and at their own pace.

Two individuals in particular epitomise the importance to the people.

Joseph Thompson:
He is the Ali Curung community representative on the Shire Transition Committee. He has poor literacy and numeracy and finds engagement with mainstream very difficult. He now spends 12 hours a week being tutored by Luke Kelly on the "Successmaker" program.

Esaw Marshall:
A young man, Esaw has discovered E-bay. He buys his clothes there. He does this because they are cheaper and what he wants. To do this he had to arrange for a debit card. Because E-bay trading requires reasonable levels of literacy and numeracy he now spends a lot of time with Luke Kelly on "Successmaker". So, because he is finding ways to spend money in a way that he likes, he is looking for ways to make money for himself.

Finally if the internet facility is to survive someone Like Luke Kelly needs to be employed to supervise and mentor. Luke is keen to take on the job. Without this type of supervision and left open for business, the facility will quickly disintegrate. The rules about children, dogs, babies, food and drink and operational hours will rapidly erode.

This internet facility could be an opportunity for the Barkly Shire Council to demonstrate their good will, support and willingness to invest in communities and develop capacity. Also, it could support the on going quest by the council to find community based literate people with computer skills. Full support of this facility as a training centre could be crucial tool for the council to identify people and foster relationships for mutual benefit.

Warrabri Bakery

The quarantining of payments at Ali Curung had a particularly bad effect on the Warrabri Bakery. The problem is still being solved.

One of the greatest benefactors of the quarantining of payments in communities like Ali Curung is the government owned (IBA) Outback Stores. Ali Curung community reluctantly agreed to allow Outback Stores to operate for a period of 12 months. They are unable to compete with Warrabri Bakeries lower prices.

Andrew Tsavaris had to fight hard to be treated equally with Outback Stores and was interviewed several times on ABC radio.


Intervention fall out


Unfair discrimination could put Warrabri Bakery out of business. Servicing Ali Curung since 1979,the bakery is an integral part of the history of Ali Curung.

“I just want equal rights” says Warrabri Bakeries owner Andrew Tsavaris.

Quarantining welfare payments to the community seemed like a good idea to Andrew Tsavaris so he was quick to sign the agreement with Centrelink to work with them to get the process in place. Andrew bought $6000 worth of computers and subjected himself to a rigorous credit check by the federal police.

About three weeks ago there was phone call. Deloites and Centrelink saying they would not licence his shop to be part of the intervention initiative of quarantining centrelink payments to Aboriginals. Essentially this could mean the end of his business.

Andrew says he is being discriminated against in favour of the Ali Curung store recently taken over by Outback Stores.

Andrew said “local people want to use our shop to buy food on weekends public holidays and after 4.30PM. We work 365 days a year to service the community. Since 1979 we have had an agreement with the Ali Curung shop to open at these times. We have never broken the agreement”

With all the quarantine money being controlled by Bush Store Andrew fears that people will have no money to shop else ware. “People come here yo buy food but they can’t. Their money is tied up at the other store. Outback Stores is going to open the Ali Curung shop on Saturdays. This is not part of our original agreement with the community.”

Warrabri Bakery sponsors the local football team, the football carnival and support traditional events in the community. He also gives the junior footballer$100 per week to pay for fuel to Tennant Creek and back to play matches.

Ali Curung is home for they Tsavaris family. His father, Mick, started the bakery in 1979. There have been set backs. The original bakery burnt down in 2002. Rather than leave the community, Andrew decided to stay on and borrowed the money to start again. They have been here for 29 years. Andrew is married to a local girl and has raised three of his own children and four adopted children including 2 orphans.