The simple act of creating water holes has turned into a ‘whole in one' project for Rockhampton Golf Club, in terms of linking organizations and people from all walks of life.

The networking involved has turned an initial Commonwealth Water Grant of $46,000 into a finished product valued at well over $500,000 if done at full commercial rates.

Club president Michael Walker explained that Central Queensland University scientists Ben Kele and Professor David Midmore and officers of Fitzroy River Water had helped with the project concept and application process.

CQU's Ben Kele with club president Michael Walker, State and Federal MPs and work skills participants

Their help was vital to ensure the scheme complemented broader water management plans for the harnessing and treatment  of  stormwater and treated sewerage for the golf club and the proposed revitalization of the neighbouring Murray Lagoon.

"There are significant benefits for the golf club in terms of sustainable water supply and course beautification, and as the course is open to the public, this extends to benefit the local community through tourism and promotion of lifestyle benefits of the region," Mr Walker said.

Mr Walker said it was also discovered the excavated material would be perfect to seal the local landfill, creating another fortunate link to Rockhampton Regional Council.

Whilst part of the grant money ($26,000) went to assist in excavation costs, RRC had been excavating the remaining material at its own cost and at a substantial saving to the local rate payers.

"One of the unforeseen - but most welcome outcomes - has been a new respect and understanding which has developed between the volunteer club member helpers (mostly retired) and the young Indigenous people they have been working alongside," Mr Walker said.

Earlier work on the holes

He said Jobs Queensland organised the young Indigenous people to work on the project thanks to funding from the Queensland Government's ‘Skilling Queenslanders for Work' initiative, and the Federal Government ‘Steppers' employment training program.

Through this project these unemployed people gained accredited job and skills training, which will help them in the jobs market.

Resulting from an initiative of local Aboriginal leader Bob Blair, the Gidarjil Corporation was also able to dovetail a machinery training component funded by the Federal Government with the project run by Jobs Queensland.

Hitting off the new project 
One of the work skills participants, Kadeem Tatow is thanked

Federal Member for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore launched the project (on June 12) and State Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan presented training certificates at the same ceremony.

Club president Michael Walker at the launch 
CQU's Ben Kele chats to Federal MP Kirsten Livermore

 
Ben Kele with work skill participants and club president Michael Walker
Signs of change at the golf club