Prime Minister Julia Gillard today formally opened the new Wyndham Early Learning Activity Centre in Western Australia, funded through a $1.7 million grant from the Australian Government under the East Kimberley Development Package.
This purpose-built facility delivers a great new space and playground areas for the Wyndham Early Learning Activity Centre to deliver a range of highly regarded community programs, with a strong focus on supporting parents and early learning opportunities for children.
The Prime Minister was also pleased to announce $100,000 funding to help Indigenous women build leadership skills and improve their wellbeing.
The centre will use this funding to establish a community garden and teach Indigenous women about gardening and growing healthy food, in partnership with the Kimberley Training Institute.
The centre will also teach women about how to prepare healthy meals and educate their children about the benefits of healthy eating.
Other activities include a family day with arts and craft and a sewing group where women can learn how to make items for themselves and their homes.
As well as teaching new skills, these activities will also provide the women with an opportunity to meet new people and make friends.
The Prime Minister visited the centre today to see firsthand the work they have been doing to support Indigenous families in the East Kimberley.
Wyndham Early Learning Activity Centre is one of 10 organisations across Western Australia which will share in more than $800,000 in Gillard Government funding for Indigenous Women's Grants in Western Australia in 2012-13.
The Government's investment will help these organisations to deliver a wide range of training programs, information sessions and workshops, including in retail and business administration training, leadership workshops, computer training, health and nutrition and an anti-bullying program.
These programs and workshops will help up to 630 Indigenous women to develop skills in business, finance, leadership, and health and wellbeing.
Indigenous women will have the opportunity to further develop their skills and knowledge, giving them a sense of pride and purpose, and the ability to use these new skills and knowledge in the community and at home.
This funding forms part of the Government's long-term efforts to overcome decades of underinvestment, and continue to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.
Organisations in Western Australia Funding (up to)
Wyndham Early Learning Activity Centre Inc $100,000
Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation $100,000
Pilbara Indigenous Women's Aboriginal Corporation $100,000
Marninwarnikura Fitzroy Women's Resource Centre (Aboriginal Corporation) $170,000
Geraldton Streetworks Aboriginal Corporation $95,000
Yawaru Jarndu Aboriginal Corporation $80,000
Kiwirrikurra Council Aboriginal Corporation $52,128
Beananging Kwuurt Institute $34,100
Dumbartung Aboriginal Corporation $38,100
Langford Aboriginal Corporation $32,800