New Indigenous Program rolled out for Red CentreNATS

Revheads get ready! Red CentreNATS officially returns to Alice Springs next week from 1-4 September 2022 with several new attractions on the program, including the Rusted Gems Project.

The Rusted Gems Project has seen approximately 20 Indigenous school students and community members actively participate in workshops to restore and decorate a number of vehicles that will be on display at Red CentreNATS. Vehicles getting a facelift include a Holden Commodore, a Valiant Station Wagon, a 1988 TP Magna and two ‘Cuz Congress’ cars.
Participating students and teachers will attend this year’s Red CentreNATS, with some travelling hundreds of kilometres into Alice Springs from communities such as Papunya, Haasts Bluff, Mt Liebig, Yuendumu, Robinson River and Elliott.

The project will help participants develop their automotive skills and increase their confidence as part of a structured educational program that grows the connection between Indigenous communities and Red CentreNATS. The program will also foster trade skills and help participants along the path to becoming qualified tradespeople, all while sharing a love and appreciation of cars.

Milwaukee Rusted Gems Project Coordinator Matilda Simpson Brewer said the program has really taken shape this year, with a number of communities and schools jumping on board.

“We have approximately 20 participants learning about vehicle maintenance, design and wrapping cars, along with all the mechanical areas overseen on the cars,” he said.

“We look forward to having the cars on display at Blatherskite Park and in the street parade for everyone to see.”

Sponsored by Milwaukee, the Rusted Gems Project is made possible thanks to a partnership between Redtails/Pinktails Right Tracks Program, Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation, Charles Darwin University, Yipirinya School and Yirara Clontarf Academy.

For more information and tickets go to www.redcentrenats.com.au.