Aboriginal youth in the remote Ringer Soak (Kundat Djaru) community will have reason to celebrate by the end of the year, with the State Government announcing $319,987 in funding towards a new sporting facility.
Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund, the project will include a new basketball court, permanent shade structure, storage, power and lighting.
The basketball court project will form part of the Ringer Soak Community Facility, which is jointly funded by the Ringer Soak Granites Mine Affected Areas Aboriginal Corporation.
The aim of the project is to provide a safe space for young people in the community to participate in physical activity. It will also provide a venue for school activities, mobile health and wellbeing services and other community activities.
Ringer Soak (Kundat Djaru) is an Aboriginal community in the Shire of Halls Creek, which is in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia.
The project is scheduled for completion in December 2021.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
"This project at Ringer Soak is a perfect example of the State Government developing sustainable infrastructure for sport and recreation in regional and remote communities.
"Participation in sport and physical activity is known to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal children and youth.
"The facility will provide a safe and engaging place for young people to participate in physical activity, located in a well-lit and central location.
"As well as providing a venue for sport, this new facility will also strengthen the health and wellbeing of the community by hosting a range of community activities, such as school groups, playgroups, dance, music and yarning with community Elders."
