I announce today that the Australian Government is committing $7 million to 73 projects under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.
The Strategy is designed to support communities to develop practical and innovative solutions to local circumstances. With the approval of these new projects, the Strategy has now funded 614 family and community projects.
It is my belief that families and communities are the backbone of a strong and healthy Australia with well functioning families the best safety net ever devised. Strong communities always have a core of highly motivated people, many of them volunteers. Encouraging this enthusiasm within families and communities will achieve more success than the Government imposing its own views and solutions.
A fundamental aim of the Strategy is to undertake early intervention and prevention work that is responsive to communities' needs, with a strong focus on early childhood and parenting support.
Indigenous communities from across Australia have developed a great many of the projects funded today. These projects vary in their range and scope, from providing a men's meeting place in Wujal Wujal to early intervention for children at risk in Tiwi Island to youth mentoring in Blacktown, Wyong and Tamworth. What all these projects have in common is that they demonstrate the commitment of the Australian Government to supporting indigenous communities to develop solutions for their own circumstances.
There are many more excellent projects that the Government is supporting.
The Lake Macquarie Men's Sheds and Sustainable Employment Programme will receive $120,000 to provide practical activities for unemployed men to learn new skills. The Programme will utilise these new skills through providing local employment opportunities in building and maintaining public housing estates.
The Unity of First People of Australia Ltd will receive $210,000 to implement the Diabetes Management and Care Programme in three remote indigenous communities in Western Australia. This programme is dedicated to curbing the incidence of diabetes amongst indigenous Australians.
The Latrobe City Council will receive $283,900 to introduce the Strengthening Seven Small Communities Project. The project will work with seven small rural townships in the Gippsland area of Victoria to develop self-help programmes aimed at tackling disadvantage and social isolation.
The Logan School to Work Programme Inc will receive $109,580 to provide practical assistance and personal support to young students who are pregnant or parenting to continue their education.
It is only through such a partnership that families and communities can grow in strength.
A complete list of the projects that are receiving funding is attached.
3 October 2003
STRONGER FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES STRATEGY PROJECTS APPROVED 3 October 2003
Project Title
Auspice ACT
Menslink - Bridging the Gap
Men's Link
National
Breakthrough - Indigenous Trustees of the Community and Family Services
De La Salle Brothers (t/a Boys Town LinkUp
Community Development Radio Service (NT)
Aboriginal Resources and development Services Inc
Indigenous Diabetes Management and Care Program Unity of First People of Australia Ltd
National Indigenous Housing Leaders Network Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre
(AIATSIS)
Shoalhaven Youth Volunteering Initiative Shoalhaven Area Consultative Council
NSW
Aboriginal Men's Bridging Network Cooramah
Housing and Enterprise Aboriginal Corporation
Bourke Men's early Intervention
Bourke Aboriginal Medical Service
Connecting Families Wagga Wagga Project - Extension Wagga Wagga City Council
CountryHeart CountryHeart
DALE Young Mothers Project St Philips Christian Education Foundation
FAR West Regional Social and Emotional Well Being Centre Maari Maa Aboriginal Health Corporation
Ghinni Ghinni Youth and Culture Ghinni Ghinni Youth and Culture Corporation
HIPPY extension University of NSW Lake Macquarie Men's Sheds and Lake
Macquarie's Sustainable Employment Program Samaritans Foundation
Mana Project Pacific Islander
Women's Advisory and Support Service (PIWASS) Miimali Mates Mentoring program - Wyong, Tamworth & Blacktown areas Great Mates Inc
Moama Indigenous Women's Issues Consultation Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council
Moree Family Support Stronger Families Fund Project Moree Family Support
Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Corporation Nginya Jarjum Aboriginal Child and Family Network
Orana Region Leadership Development Orana Regional Development Board (ORDB)
St George South Pacific Islander Family and Children Project St George Migrant Resource Centre
Tilligerry Family Network Port Stephens Family Support Service Inc.
Yamuloong Youth Leadership Yamuloong Inc
NT Jilkminggan Art Project Diwurruwurru-Jaru Aboriginal Corporation (Katherine Regional Aboriginal Language Centre)
Nhulunbuy Resolve Counselling Services Anglicare NT
Ortippa Thurra Park Project Akarrulenye Health Council Aboriginal Corporation
Yarrenyty-Arltere Learning Centre Tangentyere Council Inc
QLD
Banana Shire Community Resource Centre Playground Development Banana Shire Community Resource Centre Inc
Families- Our Future Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association
Fraser Coast Sibling Network Town & Country Community Options Inc.
Mabel Park - POWER Project Logan School To Work Program inc.
MISA Positive Parenting Program Mens Information Support Assoc Inc
Pathways to Leadership Pathways to Leadership Ltd
Southern Gold Coast Community Youth Leadership SAPH Vision Quest Association Inc.
Tiaro Community and Youth Radio Station Tiaro Shire Council
Wujal Wujal Men's Group Apunipima Cape York Health Council
SA "CommunIT" - Information Technology Advisory Service for the Community Sector. CISA (Community Information Strategies Australia Inc.) - a community based organisation delivering information to the community sector in SA "Community Capacity Builder" -
Leadership Development in Yalata ATSIC (Yalata Community Incorporated)
Community Creche Training Junction Community Centre
Kalka Community Playgroup Facility Pitjantjatara Homelands Council Inc.
Learning Leadership Through Diversity Port Lincoln Community House
Matjara Leadership Camps Newchurch Aboriginal Corporation
Me and My Family Centacare
Music and Recording Studio Funding Pipalyatjara Community Inc.
Parenting Kangaroo Island Kangaroo Island Children's Services Centre Inc.
Shade Sails for Karoonda Playground District Council of Karoonda Easy Murray
Taking the Lead:Youth Leadership Programs in Enfield Kilburn Blair Athol Community Action Group
Volunteer Leadership Training Uniting Care - Copper Triangle c/o The Uniting Church in Australia Kadina-Wallaroo Parish
Warooka Rotunda Warooka Progress Association Inc.
Yankalilla Community Playground Lions Club of Yankalilla & District Inc.
VIC
Action Areas for Angliss Maribyrnong City Council
Active Local Communities Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Aus Care - GENR8 Youth For Christ Australia
Building Stronger Communities in East Gippsland East Gippsland Shire Council
Developing Ourselves, Developing Community Centre for Rural Communities Inc.
Emergency Relief - A Guide for Community Groups Frankston Community Support and Information Centre
Family, School and Community Connections Melbourne City Mission
Grandparents - The community alchemists of the 21st century Grandparents Victoria
Kids with Courage Knox Community Benevolent Fund Inc
Living in Glenroy City of Moreland Strengthening Seven Small Communities Latrobe City Council
Training for Volunteers working with Emergency Relief The Salvation Army
Young People Leading Change St Lukes Anglicare Bendigo
WA
Bilydar Leadership and Cultural Awareness Project Peel Training and Employment Inc
Empowering Young People in the Geraldton Region The City of Geraldton
Enhancing Leadership, Governance, Social and Economic Development with the Spinifex People of the Great Victorian Desert
Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation Gnowangerup Community Parents Group Shire of Gnowangerup
Smart Start Shire of Tambellup The Emergency Relief Volunteer Learning and Development (ERVLAD) Project
Western Australian Council of Social Service Inc Wandering Playground Project Wandering Parents & Citizens Association
Yallambee Stronger Families Yallambee - Wongan Hills and District Association for the Handicapped
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Project Central Wheatbelt Community Support Group