Rache,

Of course there are better ways to involve long-term unemployed people, TAFE or uni study for example. And there are usually more sensible projects in every community for people to work on than painting rocks. But so often, it seems, the clientele 'captures' the organiser and, between them, they dumb down any initiatives.

On one Aboriginal community, back in the days of the CDEP scheme, people were paid their two days' pay for maintaining their homes, or mowing their own lawns. Meanwhile, much of their twelve thousand acres of good land, unlimited water licence and millions of dollars of equipment, went minimally utilised. But then again, Aboriginal organisations and communities have a genius for turning every promising initiative into yet another useless welfare-oriented perk.

Cheers,

Joe

My son was given work for the Dole position, it was in the cemetery, near where his two half brothers are buried and grandparents. He was pushed by some of the other dolers and nearly broke his arm. Being a Type 1 diabetic, it wasn't the best place to send him. Anyway he was placed on a disabled pension later.

Hi there BUSH BUNNY...

I'm very sorry to hear that, placing a young bloke with Type 1 Diabetes which usually requires several injections in a 24 hour period in a cemetery, sounds a bit nonsensical to me. Especially if he sufferers from hypo's., and noneone around him, understands what first-aid is necessary for type 1's? Sounds like an omission of 'duty of care' by Centrelink to me at least?