New programs over the summer holiday period will help keep young people healthy and engaged and promote community safety.
This includes a new, targeted, culturally-led diversion program for up to 50 at-risk Aboriginal young people in Alice Springs over the coming months.
These initiatives are part of the continued rollout of the landmark $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia.
For Aboriginal children and young people identified as particularly at-risk, Oonchiumpa will deliver tailored, culturally-led activities and interventions such as therapeutic camps and day trips.
Camps will be held on-country, with elders, young people and their families coming together in out-stations and locations throughout Alice Springs to address challenges and develop new pathways for young people in a culturally-led and supported way.
This will strengthen family and kinship and connect young people to existing services - including health, wellbeing and family support.
Other activities will take place in Alice Springs from 15 December through 30 January including Arrente Boxing, sports programs, movie nights, water activities, art and music activities, games, bush trips and cultural camps.
Importantly, more than half of the Government’s school holiday investment will be in remote communities, so families will not need to travel to town to participate.
In remote areas, Central Desert Regional Council, MacDonnell Regional Council, the Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation and the NPY Women’s Council will arrange activities including a Hoops 4 Health regional basketball competition to be held in Mutitjulu.
25 remote communities across Central Australia and 12 in bordering communities in WA and SA will receive funding to run targeted, community-led activities.
Quotes attributable to Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians
“Parents know how important it is for young people to have things to do over the school holidays. Giving young people the chance to participate in positive activities is great for their wellbeing, and good for the community.
“Better outcomes for youth, families and the wider community are a core focus of this investment which is targeted where it is most needed over the summer.
“Oonchiumpa’s local and culturally-led approach will have great benefits for young Territorian’s social and emotional well-being, and their future.”
Quotes attributable to Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari
“This Alice Springs Summer Program has a more choices than ever before. A lot of thought and organisation has been put into the activities, and there’s no cost to families.
“There are also plenty of activities for young people in remote communities, so they don’t need to travel to town to find things to do.
“Part of the Albanese Government's Central Australia Plan is to fund more programs designed by the local community on the ground for at-risk children.
"Importantly, Oonchiumpa’s innovative program takes a holistic approach provides wrap-around services for both the young person and their family.
"The program will be managed by a specialist culturally-lead organisation, include local mentoring, and cover health, wellbeing and skills training."
Quotes attributable to Director Oonchiumpa Consultancy and Services, Kristy Bloomfield
“After consultation with many of our at risk young people and their families it has become evident that there is a lack of cultural brokerage provided by Aboriginal people with the cultural authority and knowledge to connect families and young people with the services, elders and communities most suited to build identity and bridge the gap between the two worlds we live in. With this in mind Oonchiumpa consultancy have developed the Alternative Service Response activity to direct our young people to the appropriate services and programs.”
“We hope that by providing culturally appropriate training, mentorship and referral services we will empower young people and their families to achieve independence and resilience in the non- Aboriginal World while also reinforcing respect and knowledge of culture, country and elders, as has been taught to us for all of time.”