Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Boost for Indigenous youth projects

Eleven Indigenous youth projects will share in more than $1.4 million, as part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to tackle family violence and support healthy families in Indigenous communities.

Family violence causes a lot of pain and damages the life chances of our children.

One of the strongest ways we can prevent family violence is through educating and supporting our youth.

We want all young people to have the best chances – being supported to make positive decisions about their life as they grow up.

The funding includes:

  • $200,000 for AFL Cape York (QLD) and $300,000 to Jigalong (WA) Community Incorporated for youth diversionary activities in the school holidays.
  • $50,000 for the Building Strong and Resilient Families project in Innisfail (QLD), which will support families and young children at risk of violence due to alcohol abuse.
  • $80,000 for the RespectED project in Ceduna (SA) to promote the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and their families by breaking the cycle of abuse, neglect and harassment through prevention education.
  • $20,000 for the Tackling Violence project in NSW for education and training. The project provides domestic violence education workshops for NRL players, officials and women and children in the community; school sexual assault prevention programs for high school students and a protective behaviour program for primary school students.
  • $250,000 for a suite of youth diversionary activity projects for young Indigenous people in Victoria, including a dance music project, drop in centres, education projects, youth network and support and mentoring projects across Victoria.
  • $320,000 to expand the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation premise in East Tasmania to improve access to services for vulnerable Indigenous families.
  • $125,000 for Big hArt to work with Indigenous youth who have either witnessed or been subject to family violence in the Namatjira (NT), Nyuntu Ngali (SA) and Pilbara (WA) regions. The project aims to link young and older people through narrative, film, performance and music.
  • $24,000 for the Halls Creek (WA) Better Life Project, which uses the performing arts to build confidence and leadership skills in Indigenous school aged girls.
  • $20,000 for the Sturt Street Supported Accommodation (SA), which provides intensive intervention and accommodation assistance for Indigenous women and children caught up in the cycle of domestic violence and homelessness. Funding will provide freezers, computers, school bags, art materials, books and cultural awareness activities.
  • $60,000 for the Shoalhaven (NSW) Safe Community Aboriginal Partnership project to build leadership skills and improve service delivery for young Indigenous people.

The Government is pleased to support community leaders and the non-profit sector in providing young Indigenous people with healthy and safe activities aimed at building self confidence and tackling family violence.