RIVERSLEIGH Station celebrated its 2013 open day with an event that saw five young indigenous men who gained qualifications in beef production also showcase their horsemanship.
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Famous for its world-class fossil fields, Riversleigh Station is also the location of a unique training venue for indigenous stockmen in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Riversleigh is part of the Lawn Hill Riversleigh Pastoral Holdings Company.
The company is 51 per cent owned by the Waanyi traditional owners and 49 per cent owned by MMG Century, the operator of nearby Century Mine.
State Member for Mount Isa Rob Katter attended the open day and congratulated the five indigenous trainees on receiving their certificate II and III in beef production.
``I was highly impressed with their horsemanship and their achievements; these students are leaders amongst their peers,'' Mr Katter said.
``Regardless of their background, these blokes have proved themselves and are now ready for employment in an industry that desperately needs them.
``This program is filling a local need and it's thrilling to see such achievements.''
Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Stations were acquired during the development of Century Mine in the 1990s and, in accordance with the Gulf Communities Agreement, Lawn Hill Riversleigh Pastoral Holdings Company was formed and majority ownership progressively transferred to the traditional owners, the Waanyi people.
In 2005, the company established a training program to assist indigenous people in gaining formal qualifications and experience in a supportive environment on a working cattle property.
The training program has seen more than 80 indigenous people gain certificates.