Minister for Indigenous Australians
The remote Tiwi Islands community of Wurrumiyanga has celebrated the official opening of a brand-new child and family centre.
The $12.4 million project, funded by the Albanese Labor Government through the Aboriginal Benefit Account, has been designed and delivered in close partnership with the Mantiyupwi people, the Traditional Owners of Bathurst Island.
The Pumulayu Child and Family Centre is designed to strengthen service coordination by providing a central point for Tiwi families to access local services, including early childhood development, youth support, family safety and gambling harm reduction.
In addition, the centre is expected to support local employment opportunities and build workforce capacity by employing and training locally based staff, ensuring services are community-driven and culturally informed.
Four local residents were employed full-time during the construction, and one has now transitioned into an apprenticeship program with SH Build.
The purpose-built, multi-functional facility includes indoor and outdoor spaces, family engagement and community gathering areas, as well as accommodation for visiting service providers to improve access and continuity in the remote location.
The Northern Territory Government committed $394,040 for the master plan and concept design for the Pumulayu Child and Family Centre, and $3 million over five years to establish and operate the centre.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The new Pumulayu Family and Child Centre will be a place for the Wurrumiyanga and wider Tiwi Islands community to come together and access services and support.
"It is a significant investment in delivering integrated, culturally appropriate services for children and families, while also creating opportunities for local jobs."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Marion Scrymgour:
"The beauty of Tiwi is the strength of our community. The Pumulayu Family Centre will be a place Tiwis can come together to access much needed services, but also to connect.
"If we are to continue strengthening the bush, we need to invest in our people and our infrastructure. This will have an immense impact for our people and work to coordinate services - I am very excited for the people of Wurrumiyanga."
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Minister for Children and Families, Robyn Cahill:
"The Northern Territory Government is proud to back the Pumulayu Child and Family Centre, working alongside the Mantiyupwi people to deliver a safe, community-led space for Tiwi children and families. This is part of our commitment to empowering bush communities, backing local jobs and giving Territory kids the best possible start.
"Every Territory child deserves a safe place to learn, grow and stay connected to culture. This centre gives Tiwi families a place to access the support they need, close to home."
Quotes attributable to Chair of Mantiyupwi Family Trust, Jennifer Ullungura Clancy:
"Our Pumulayu Children's and Family Centre is the foundation stone to Mantiyupwi.
"Tackling our social development and economic empowerment programs for the benefit of not just Mantiyupwi Traditional Owners, but to meet our Traditional responsibility to lift up all Tiwi and non-Tiwi people living on our land."
