In December 2009, Choice signed an operational management agreement with the board of directors at the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander Youth Welfare Corporation (ATSI-YW):
The operational management agreement focuses on both organisations working together to provide increased opportunities in social justice, education, training and employment for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Since signing the operational management agreement the boards of ATSI-YW and Choice have agreed to take advantage of our combined strengths and position in the community by re-developing the 3 hectares of land owned freehold by ATSI-YW and creating a Centre of Excellence for Employment and Training.
Our plans include modern training facilities, office accommodation, conference centre, commercial kitchen and accommodation quarters catering for singles, couples and families. The land also provides opportunity for outdoor manual land care and minor construction skills.
See below some of the work being undertaken since December 2009.
In August 2010 Choice signed an operational management agreement with Mr Duane Cash to develop an inner city Indigenous themed dining and cultural show, art gallery, retail store and training venue.
Choice has taken over the management of Duane's existing Australiana themed restaurant and is undertaking the work required to achieve our goals. Our short term plans are as follows:
a. Repair the damage caused to the restaurant and training from ex tropical cyclone Yasi
b. Redevelop the kitchen area of the existing restaurant
c. Redevelop the training venue
d. Work through the planning, permit, license and design stages to have the extension completed
e. Pursue Queensland and Australian government funding for training young people, displaced workers and Indigenous jobseekers in food and beverage, hospitality, customer service and cultural ambassador roles
We anticipate being operational under the Cultural Place theme by 2012.
