“When we do all we can for an unemployed aboriginal and they get nowhere, it is difficult for us. Last year, we tailored a course for unemployed aboriginals. Less than 30 per cent completed the course; that was also very frustrating,” she said.

The forums were facilitated by RDANI, which incorporates the former Northern Inland Regional Development Board. RDANI’s facilitators found the Tenterfield forum to be extremely productive, as did Ronella ‘Dolly’ Jerome.

One of the passionately vocal forum participants, Ms Jerome said she found the event to be constructive because real change in attitudes and employment outcomes can only be achieved through communication and understanding of the problems at all levels.

CEO of the Moonbahlene Local Aboriginal Lands Council, Peter Harmond addressed the forum with a presentation about the local Land Council, outlining the problems it and the local Aboriginal community faces. He explained how general unemployment in the area is about eight per cent, while local aboriginal unemployment is between 26-30 per cent.

A number of Local Aboriginal Land Councils were involved in the forum for their respective areas. Other organisations involved in the forums include: Indigenous Business Australia, NewTRAIN, TAFE, Aboriginal Affairs NSW, Department of Human Services NSW, New England North West Business Advisory Centre, Jobs Australia, the Australian Electoral Commission, and Regional Development Australia - Northern Inland, which is performing a regional facilitation role.

“We’d like to acknowledge the pro-active approaches and community commitment demonstrated by the following Aboriginal Lands Councils: Armidale, Tenterfield, Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah, in contributing to the relevance of these forums,” RDANI Project Officer, Kim-Trieste Hastings said. “The attendance level along in Tenterfield demonstrated the level of frustration experienced by Aboriginal community members, particularly the keen jobseekers. There was a commitment to address complex issues.”