Straight Talk. No Promises, No Lies.
When considering how he could make a significant difference in other’s lives without access to considerable funds, prominent local figure Des Rogers decided to make use of his “extensive networks and life experiences in a whole range of areas.”
This decision has manifested as pepperedBLACK® Ndundarinj (mentoring), the Indigenous mentoring initiative Des has commenced in Central Australia. Des is sharing his commercial, public and personal life experience with Aboriginal people who are looking for guidance and information about private enterprise as well as involvement with boards and committees. His services are offered pro bono as a way to “give back.” Being Aboriginal, Des says he has “a deep understanding and experience of Aboriginal history and a great compassion for sustainable social change that will bring about a renaissance; a re-birth of Aboriginal culture.”
Having once been told he should buy a surfboard as it was probably the only board he had never been on, Des certainly has extensive experience as a board member. As a long-term Director on the Desert Knowledge Australia Board, Des has developed a strong relationship with the Honourable Fred Chaney AO who is the Chairperson of the Desert Knowledge Australia Board. Mr. Chaney was previously a Liberal Party Senator who served as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (1978-1980) and Minister for Social Security (1980-1983). Of Des, Mr. Chaney remarks, “since working in Alice Springs I have valued the frank and fearless advice Des has offered me and his preparedness to constructively discuss any issue. He is a valued colleague.” For Des, other board involvement includes being the ATSIC Regional Chairperson, a member of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress’ Cabinet and an Alice Springs Town Council Alderman (as the second Indigenous person elected to local government in Alice Springs) to name a few.
However, it is Des’ experience in private enterprise that allow him to really understand the challenges facing those going into business, particularly in remote areas. He believes that for Aboriginal people living remotely it is difficult to gain a ‘world view’ and thus they think only on a community level, limiting their chance at commercial success. Des can act as a connection between community and the commercial world. Having employed and trained over 200 Aboriginal people through his previous businesses Red Centre Produce, Red Centre Freight and pepperedBLACK Security, Des says the main thing he has learnt is that you “have to be persistent, innovative and persistent!”
A recipient of Des’ direction has been former Anmatjere Council Chairman James Glenn who went on to be the first Mayor for Central Desert Shire and is still a Councillor. In particular he was able to build the confidence and ability of James to chair Council and Community meetings.
Des is currently employed as a Senior Advisor in the Department of the Chief Minister and will be offering his expertise as a mentor in his own time. This generosity is appreciated by Alice Springs woman Samara Hanley, who says she “is amazed that he (Des) has allocated his own time to mentor me” and “just love(s) the fact that he is only a phone call or email away.”
Samara is a 29-year-old mother who has experience working for Centrelink, as a Community Police Officer for the NT Police and as a Government Business Manager. She is currently employed as a Community Engagement Manager for ITEC Employment. With aspirations for a future in politics, Samara lists one of her goals as “to provide the community with clear direction on the issues that we have, and to try and guide them to make better choices in life.” When asked why she has approached Des to act as her mentor, Samara replied, “he is continually teaching me new things, his connection with his elders and people on the communities is fantastic and he is honest with the way that he presents things, he follows through with what he says.” As well as looking at her specific skills and assisting her with making the right choices, Samara says Des has introduced her to “amazing and powerful people” and has “formed friendships and established new working relationship with these people.” Des envisages Samara as a future leader of Aboriginal people and the mutual respect between mentor and mentee is evident.
The word Ndundarinj is an old Aranda term that refers to a keeper, teacher and someone who is always there for you when you are in need. Hermannsburg man Max Tucker is another recipient of Des’ guidance. Max lives on the outskirts of Hermannsburg at Importna Outstation where Albert Namatjira’s house is located. Max’s father conducted restoration on the historic house and he knows a lot of stories about the place. Max has plans to develop and operate a campground at the site and has gone to Des to assist him in achieving this goal. Agreeing that it is daunting not knowing who to approach to get his idea off the ground, Max speaks of Des as being “really good, very helpful and I’ve met a lot of people through him so far, important people who’ll probably help me out, out there (Namatjira House, Hermannsburg).” In response to the question of “why Des?” Max responds, “I reckon he’s got a good business mind, he built Peppered Black up from scratch, he’s been there and done that.”
pepperedBLACK® Ndundarinj (mentoring) is the culmination of Des Roger’s professional and public life to date and an opportunity for him to pass on all he has learnt to Aboriginal people looking to bridge the gap between community life and broader opportunities. Generous, honest, knowledgeable and courteous, Des advises that you can be strong with your words without having to “bang on the table.” You may not win every battle but you can still “plant the seed” for an idea. To sum up his potential for success as a mentor, Samara Hanley states: “I believe that Des will help a lot of us young people achieve our dreams and he will do it for all the right reasons.”
For more information about Des please contact him via his email address des@pepperedblack.com