Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC) has received $94,990 towards its Aboriginal Elder Group and Aboriginal youth Group Support program through the NSW Government’s inaugural Community and Place funding program Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin announced today.
The first round of the landmark Community and Place Grants Program will provide $20.5 million in funding across the State to solutions-focused projects that immediately engage and benefit Aboriginal communities.
Mr Layzell said the funding will deliver real benefits for the Muswellbrook community and will be used to purchase a 12-seater bus.
“The WLALC spends significant time supporting the local Aboriginal Elder Group, the local Aboriginal Youth Group and the local Aboriginal Men’s Group,” Mr Layzell said.
“The bus will enable the Land Council to further support community members by transporting Aboriginal Elders, Youth groups and Aboriginal Men’s group to events, seminars and cultural events, playing a key role in supporting health and wellbeing for Aboriginal community groups.”
Additionally, Wanaruah LALC has been awarded $87,363 from the Regional NSW Business Case and Strategy Development Fund to prepare the business case for its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre Project proposed for Muswellbrook.
Minister Franklin said the Community and Place funding program is delivering tangible local benefit and impact to Aboriginal communities against Closing the Gap targets, while also recognising that Aboriginal communities have the solutions to issues in their community.
“This is a terrific and unique program that will put important funding in the hands of Aboriginal groups who best know how to bring about improvements and opportunities for their community,” Mr Franklin said.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government knows that by investing in local community initiatives we will significantly increase the likelihood of NSW achieving our targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.”
For more information on the Community and Place grant program, visit the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website: www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au.
PICTURE CAPTION: Dave Layzell MP, Minister for Aborginal Affairs Ben Franklin, Muswellbrook Mayor Cr Steve Reynolds with Dee-Anne Douglas and staff at Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council, Muswellbrook.
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