Creating Communities worked closely with NWS and KJ, WA Police and the Newman Feedback Group to develop Martu Patrol as a rapid response program to address antisocial behaviour and crime by providing support to young Martu people.

The concept of a Martu Patrol was not a new idea. Martu and stakeholders in Newman had advocated for the project for many, many years and the project had already been recognised in the Newman Futures strategy as a future project for design and development.

A combination of the local context, strong collaborative relationships and a common vision meant the environment was right to co-design Martu Patrol in June 2021.

Bringing systems level thinking and strategic program design, informed by our 3D model, we used our long-standing, trusted relationships with the local community to connect with Martu, coming together for numerous full-day meetings to develop Martu Patrol and other programs to support young people.

Involving Martu throughout the process was critical to the design of the program. Sitting together at the local park, at community BBQs and in the local community hall, we explored the Martu Patrol concept, discussing kinship, culture and how these important factors could shape the approach. Together we developed flow-charts to  map the journey of a young person in Newman, taking systems level approach to ensure Martu Patrol would complement existing services in the community.

Using the Creating Communities’ Rope Model, we worked together with local stakeholders to multiply our impact by guiding partnerships and coordinating collective actions to help support local young people.

Through this approach, we were able to confirm the need for Martu Patrol, co-design the pilot program, and assist NWS and KJ to establish Martu Patrol as an action-research project.

NWS was identified as the lead agency to deliver the pilot due to their expertise in case management and trusted relationships within the community. Working in collaboration with KJ, NWS employed Martu to staff the patrol, both providing new employment pathways for Martu and ensuring young people were able to connect with trusted adults with whom they could share language and culture. In a short period of time with the collective effort of local organisations, a 12-seater bus and a dedicated space for Martu Patrol was sourced and the Patrol was up and running.

Our Opportunity Model reveals that lasting solutions are possible through uniting the interests of local stakeholders. To further support the delivery of Martu Patrol, Creating Communities progressed a partnership with Compass Group, a Food and Support Service Company operating local FIFO villages, to provide surplus food from the villages to the project. This has helped to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes by reducing food wastage in the village and redirecting it to those in need.

Once the design of the project were established, activities were undertaken to commence the change-making process. As the project was established as an action-research project, Creating Communities have remained as a support agency to the project. Providing guidance and support on partnerships, sustainability planning, training and monitoring and evaluation.

Every night you will see Martu Patrol driving in Newman, stopping to check in on young people, providing them with a hot meal, water and transport to a safe space.