News

Bindi Bindi Community Cleanup 2022

REFAP: Shaping Your Future

Onslow Bush Day 2021

Bradley’s Story

Roeboune Old People’s Birthday

Wilson Security Course 2021

Onslow CDP Community Activity 2021

NAIDOC Week 2021

REFAP CDP Office Onslow Grand Opening

Onslow Community Development Program 2022

RSAS School Holiday Program 2022

COVID-19 Update

Please note our offices are closed to protect our staff and community from the Coronavirus pandemic, but REFAP is still operating via phone and email. All activity centres are closed and activities are on hold until further notice. Appointments are now over the phone, you can call our office on 9144 2603. Only necessary contact […]

Bindi Bindi Community 2020 Playground Project

The Onslow Activities team saw a need within the community of Bindi for a playground to be cleaned and revamped. With limited resources, we started looking at ways to build a playground with recyclable material such as old pallets and tyres, and to our luck we found some paint as well! We realised quickly that the […]

Bikes repurposed and gifted to deserving students

Recently we gathered a heap of bikes that needed some TLC. Our manual arts team fixed the bikes as a project and we handed them out to deserving kids out in our RSAS programme.

‘Keys for Life’ Put Young People in the Driver’s Seat

For many young people, getting a driver’s licence is a rite of passage that leads to greater independence, freedom, and job opportunities. But for those who are disengaged from school, passing the learner’s theory test can be a major obstacle. The ‘Keys for Life’ Pre-Driver Education Program aims to assist young people to obtain their […]

Visit to Cape Lambert Inspires Indigenous Young People

Indigenous employees at Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert site have shared their stories with a group of young men who are disengaged from school; inspiring and encouraging them to consider a career in the resources sector. Participants in the Youth Engagement Program (YEP) visited the iron ore port facility recently, where they had the opportunity to […]

From Job Seeker to Activity Supervisor

Stephen Irvine was once a job seeker who attended REFAP’s manual arts activity, but thanks to his strong leadership skills, and some good timing, he is now a popular member of staff. A few months ago, REFAP Coordinator, Kyle Bartlett was in need of a supervisor in the workshop. His former supervisor was injured, and […]

Facelift for Onslow Youth Centre Grounds

Visitors to the Onslow Youth Centre can now enjoy a welcoming outdoor space, thanks to the efforts of job seekers from REFAP’s Community Pride activity. Under the direction of activity supervisor and builder, Italo Palermo, participants have built and installed custom-made timber bench seating, and an outdoor servery. They also laid new lawn and retic, […]

Turning Hospitality Dreams into a Reality

For many job seekers at REFAP, a career in hospitality is their ultimate goal. However, they don’t always have a clear picture of what this involves on a day-to-day basis. REFAP is pleased to be building a relationship with Cherratta Lodge, to better inform job seekers, and provide a clear pathway into hosted work placements […]

REFAP Inspiring Creative Talents

The Lead the Way activity centre is benefitting from the creative talents of its participants, with several bright and colourful paintings now on display. Around 15 ladies attend the Community Development Program’s Lead the Way activity, where they have the opportunity to learn various hands-on, creative skills. All painting and art supplies are provided by […]

REFAP helping young people engage with their futures

A group of 17 and 18-year-olds who are disengaged from school are benefitting from a new program to equip them for vocational training and/or employment. The Youth Engagement Program (YEP) is a 15 week program for young people in Karratha, Roebourne and Onslow. It is run by REFAP with the support of North Regional TAFE and the Department […]

REFAP Smoothing the Road in Roebourne

Visitors to the Roebourne Resource Centre are now assured of a smoother ride thanks to work done on the entrance driveway by REFAP’s Community Pride participants. The driveway was in poor condition with many holes and uneven sections that had developed over years of frequent use. REFAP’s Community Pride supervisor, Wayne Breen noticed the need for repairs […]

REFAP Celebrates National Award Success

REFAP’s CEO, Triscilla Holborow has won a prestigious national Indigenous Business Award. Founded in 1988, the Ethnic Business Awards celebrate diversity, multiculturalism and migrant entrepreneurship. Triscilla was one of four finalists from around 180 nominations in the ‘Indigenous in Business’ category, which was established in 2010. She was announced as the winner at a gala presentation dinner in […]

REFAP ladies supporting Karratha Women’s Refuge

REFAP is proud to be assisting the Karratha Women’s Refuge by meeting a need for female workers to mow its new turf. The Women’s Refuge was given a donation of turf and a lawnmower, but staff were unable to allocate time to mow regularly due to the unpredictability of their work. Two female Community Pride […]

Hampers With Heart

This year REFAP is running a hamper donation drive for our community members in need and we would love your help! We are aiming to put together at least 200 hampers for families in need. They will be packed and delivered to families between the 11th-15th December 2017. We are seeking donations of non-perishable food […]

Winners Shine at 29th Ethnic Business Awards

A refugee from Vietnam turned doctor, a homesick Brazilian lawyer turned foodie and an Indigenous woman in the mining industry turned employer all walked away winners from the 29th Annual Ethnic Business Awards Gala Presentation Dinner. At the Wentworth Ballroom of the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, over 320 guests gathered once again to hear 12 amazing […]

From Job Seeker to Supervisor – A REFAP Success Story

Since being established in 2010, REFAP has helped countless Aboriginal people gain skilled, long-term employment in Pilbara workplaces. One recent success story is that of Wayne Breen – a former jobseeker who is now working for REFAP in a supervisory role. Wayne is a qualified boilermaker, but due to a chronic knee injury he was […]

Spectacular Contribution to FeNaclNG Festival Finale

Karratha’s recent Fenaclng Festival culminated in arguably the best fireworks display ever seen in the event’s 45 year history. The Sunday night spectacular went off without a hitch, thanks to the support and the efforts of a team of the hard-working Community Development Program (CDP). REFAP’s Community Development Program participants played an integral role, setting […]

REFAP Supports a Community Cuppa for a Cause

REFAP job seekers have contributed to a successful community event in Roebourne, helping The Cancer Council raise funds for cancer research, prevention programs and support services. Around 70 people attended ‘Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea Fundraiser’ on 18th May, organised by Val and Kathy’s Crafty Kitchen. Kathy Brooker organised the event, as well as the donation […]

REFAP Makes Child’s Play out of Clean-up

Children, parents and staff of the Gumala 3A Indigenous Playgroup in Karratha are benefitting from the ongoing work of REFAP’s job seekers. REFAP’s Community Pride and Manual Arts activity participants have been busy improving the playgroup’s outdoor areas – mowing the lawn, removing dead trees, raking, clearing litter along the boundary, and turning over garden […]

Local Indigenous eatery flying high

West Coast Eagles fans were up close and personal with key players on Friday as team members visited Karratha as part of their Community Camp program. The group settled into Indigenous concept Bushlolly Café for morning tea and as Adam Selwood described, the johnny cakes and damper kicked a few big goals. “The Aboriginal art, […]

Office Garden Flourishing in Onslow

Job seekers in Onslow are literally enjoying the fruits of their labours, with their newly established garden at the REFAP office yielding a variety of fresh produce. REFAP’s Community Pride participants built and created the garden over a few months. Community Pride is one of the activities under the Community Development Program, an Australian government […]

Executive chef trains up local aspiring chefs

SYDNEY-based executive hospitality consultant and head chef David Alexander arrived in Karratha last week to coach aspiring young jobseekers in a career in hospitality. David Alexander said he came to Karratha expecting to be encouraging basic participation, but instead the self-confessed hard-to-impress chef found himself astounded. David said he based the teachings around fundamentals of […]

REFAP job seekers keen to help the community

REFAP is committed to supporting the local community of Karratha and is looking for more opportunities to provide practical assistance. Karly Case, Activity Supervisor at REFAP, said job seekers from various REFAP groups are available to help not-for-profit organisations in need. “Job seekers from our Admin, Manual Arts and Community Pride groups recently volunteered at […]

REFAP displays its support for the City of Karratha

REFAP’s workshop activity participants have built and donated two easels to the City of Karratha, for use in the Karratha Library. The library expressed interest in purchasing a number of easels to display artwork in their foyer space, however REFAP decided to build and supply the items at no charge. REFAP supervisor, Brad Harris, said […]

Beauty and the Business inspires new events and new careers

Around 200 fashion-goers lined up on the red carpet to attend the inaugural FabIndigenous Fashion Show last month at Karratha Leisureplex. The event, hosted by award-wining entertainer Ernie Dingo, featured fashion walks by local Indigenous students, peppered with live music and a presentation by history-making former Indigenous model Linda Dridi. The fashion parade celebrated the […]

Young FeNaClNG winners riding high

Two budding young artists are the proud owners of new bikes after winning the REFAP colouring-in competition at the recent FeNaClNG festival. Samuel Buck from Karratha won the category for 4-7 year olds, while Lucee Webster from Pannawonica won the 8-12 year old category. REFAP organised the colouring-in competition, along with wooden boomerang painting, as […]

Local businesswoman set to represent Australia after winning top award in employment services

She’s humble, she’s quiet and she’s busy, but one local businesswoman has been acknowledged with Australia’s most honorable employment services award. Triscilla Holborrow, CEO of REFAP, returned to Karratha to a welcoming party of friends and family after winning the 2016 NESA Employment Discovery Grant at a gala dinner in Melbourne. The award recognises champions […]

Aged care residents given a voice

Thanks to the efforts of job seekers at REFAP, residents and staff at Yaandina Family Centre’s Aged Care Centre now have a greater opportunity to have their say. Participants of REFAP’s Community Pride and Lead the Way activities designed, built and decorated a purpose-built suggestion box in response to a request by Yaandina’s Nurse Manager, […]

First day back at school for Roebourne Primary School

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Star struck and deadly awards

Pilbara News: Red carpet treatment and an encounter with Troy Cassar-Daley were just some of the highlights for Triscilla Holborrow from Real Employment for Aboriginal People in Karratha, who was at the Deadly Awards in Sydney recently.

Agency’s win good for Aboriginal businesses

Pilbara News: A WIN by Karratha-based Real Employment for Aboriginal People at the GWN7 Western Australian Regional Small Business Awards is a win for Aboriginal people, chief executive Triscilla Holborrow says.

Keeping culture alive

Pilbara People - Name: Kelly Grady