The time frame

2021 - Present

The work

MacYouth & MacSafe

The client

MacDonnell Regional Council (MRC) is a local government area situated in the southern part of the Northern Territory, Australia, serving 13 remote Aboriginal communities, as well as outstations and numerous enterprises in the pastoral, tourism and mining industries across a vast area of Central Australia.

The problem

MacSafe, funded by a single funding body providing community patrol services. 

MacYouth is a programme facilitated by MRC, with collaboration from both government and non-government stakeholders to provide activities for people aged 5 to 25 on Country. 

Both of these programs are facilitated by people who have varying technological skillsets, and with some teams containing team members who have English as their third or fourth language. This has proved a barrier to collecting true and accurate data surrounding the patrols and activities held, which impacts the quality of the reporting that is required by the funding bodies. 

The solution

A centralised MRC app was developed, with two different interfaces, one for MacYouth and one for MacSafe. It is designed for both mobile and desktop use, functions primarily offline, sending data to a cloud based server every time the device is returned to the office. It features a culturally sensitive, graphic-based interface developed by our designers in collaboration with MacSafe staff, facilitating icon-driven reporting that overcomes previous literacy challenges. This approach enables seamless reporting between field staff and the MRC head office in Alice Springs. 

The MacYouth interface is similar to MacSafe’s, but does not have the graphical interface, as English literacy is higher within this team.  The MacYouth interface is focused predominantly on the organisation of activities, their respective data logging and reporting. 

The results

Continuing to empower employees, the MRC application assists in addressing the challenges associated with remote living and amplifying opportunities. MRC is working towards achieving best practice in compliance and governance, as their internal and external records management and reporting abilities are exponentially improved. 

Significant strides are being made towards bridging the digital divide, and assisting the creation and maintenance of jobs on Country.