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On the edge of the Nullarbor, on Yalata land, are thousands of western myall acacias.
Known to the Anangu as Kyatah, they provide a traditional source of shelter and slow-burning fuel.
The younger men started a growing business harvesting dead trees for firewood.
One of the workers here is Erwin Mungee.
“We get up in the morning, we come to work, we go for a walk, we collect wood, we come back to drop off the wood and we cut the wood with the big saw.”
The group’s director, John Buckskin, says only dead trees that wildlife no longer use are harvested.
“Even though the gardia wood is not dried or dead and still contains life, we do not touch it. We let it go and continue to grow because we know that there is also wildlife and we still use it.”
Yalata is also experimenting with growing acacia trees from seed.
John Bridley has been with the company since the beginning.
Through his work, he earned his forklift, excavator, and telehandler licenses, as well as a salary to support his family.
“We started with nothing, just the caravan and the four guys with a chainsaw.
Reporter: “And then what happened? How did other people become interested?
John Bridley: “Well, they see us working and they’ve come and asked us for a job and all that. It actually feels really good. It helps them a lot, really a lot. It makes them forget all their problems, which ‘they lived.’ what’s going on in the community, but when they come to work, it’s all over, you know.
Director of Operations, John Buckskin, also grew up in Yalata and recently returned, with a passion for helping the next generation.
He says regular work and connections with the team help them overcome their challenges.
“It’s really humbling because a lot of the time they’re at home, they’re not really out in the community, so the work gets them out, gets them moving, gives them a chance to follow training, deepen their skills and get more leadership roles in the community The joy I see in their eyes when they work, and their family, the wife comes at lunchtime and the baby is in. arms, and he grabs his baby, it’s a beautiful moment. “
The business creates income for the community that will eventually be invested in solar energy.
Yalata is home to up to 350 people – and five years ago there were only 19 jobs here.
The firewood company created work for 20 additional people.
There are additional ranger stations, a new art center, and a community-owned truck stop selling local produce.
The firewood trade also supports the older generation with regular deliveries of wood – a service which William Buckskin says makes the boys proud.
“They always congratulate us and let us know what we did and what it means, which keeps us going more daily and getting younger, more guys here to get stuck in, instead of doing the wrong things there -down.”
