Holiday programs for young people in central Australia

Release Date:
Media release

First Nations children and young people in Central Australia will have dozens of activities and programs to choose from in the school holidays, thanks to the Albanese Government’s funding boost for the region.

The landmark $250 million plan to create A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia is rolling out, giving families and children in Central Australia greater access to community-led, healthy and fun activities  for kids in the September-October holidays.

Some of the activities the Commonwealth is funding include;

  1. Red Dust Role Models and Northern Territory Basketball programs in the Central Desert Regional Council communities;
  2. Breakfast programs, overnight bush trips and swimming pool trips for the MacDonnell Regional Council communities;
  3. Separate male and female camps and bicycle workshops in the Petermann Ranges communities, and;
  4. A mental health camp for young men in the Finke community.

In Alice Springs, the Federal Government is working alongside the Town Council, Aboriginal organisations and the Northern Territory Government to offer First Nations families a range of fun and free activities;

  1. The Brown Street Youth Service 7 days per week. 5.30pm - late.
  2. Town Camp Youth Hubs 5 days per week (Tues-Sat). 4pm - 8pm.
  3. The Youth Outreach Service 5 days per week (Tues-Sat). 4pm - 7pm.
  4. The Looking After the Kids Outreach Service 3 days per week (Thurs-Sat). 4pm - 12am.
  5. Nightly Youth Patrols 7 days per week from 7.30pm - 3am and a specific Youth Bus service till 12am each night which can take kids to a safe place each night.
  6. The Gap Youth Centre After Hours Youth Program 7 days per week. 3:30pm - 9:30pm. The Centre is also offering weekday vacation care from 8.30am - 5pm.
  7. The Y is offering;
    1. Tue 26 Sep. Ninja Course & Climbing 4:30pm - 6:30pm
    2. Sat 30 Sep.  Bubble Soccer & Climbing 10am - 1pm
    3. Tue 3 Oct. Ninja Course & Climbing 4:30pm - 6:30pm
    4. Sat 7 Oct. Bubble Soccer & Climbing 10am - 1pm

The Government is also listening to the voices of First Nations young people through the Central Australia Youth Roundtable.

Established this year as part of A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia, the Roundtable brings together local young people to share their perspectives on issues and experiences of at-risk and disengaged youth in Central Australia.

Their advice will guide Government on solutions to support First Nations children and young people to lead safer, healthier and more connected lives.

Quotes attributable to Minister Burney:

"This Government is committed to keeping First Nations children and young people across Central Australia safe, healthy and connected with culture and Country."

"That’s why we’re working closely with the community and local organisations, to give children and young people the opportunities to take part in a range of activities in the holiday period."

"Our $250 million plan to create A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia is rolling out; with initiatives to improve community safety and support young people."

"We’re also listening to young people. The Government-supported Central Australian Youth Roundtable has been set up and is now working towards practical solutions that First Nations youth need, want and deserve."

Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari:

"After a lot of planning - the Australian Government is helping to support a diverse range of activities for the school holiday break. We are committed to providing opportunities for young people to not only have fun and stay busy, but to learn. This highlights the work the Australian Government is doing to help get and keep young people on the right track."

"The program is designed to cater for a range of interests from active things like bush camps, climbing and bubble soccer through to swimming camps."