A new after-school program for Aboriginal youth in the Great Southern town of Tambellup will receive funding for a co-ordinator thanks to a State Government funding program.
The Strong & Proud program engages Aboriginal young people in environmental, cultural and outdoor recreation activities. The program, run by the South Coast Natural Resource Management group, in partnership with local Noongar communities, high schools and community groups, local government and agencies, has been operating successfully in Albany for the past six years.
The South Coast NRM has received $113,000 under the Targeted Participation Program (TPP) to continue running Strong & Proud and extend it to Tambellup. A co-ordinator will be appointed, with the program due to start in late Term 3.
This year, the Albany Strong & Proud program has already engaged 20 Aboriginal young people in a range of activities including mountain biking, stand up paddle boarding, sustainable fishing, surf lifesaving, cultural tour, bushfoods and rock climbing. Extending the program to Tambellup will provide exciting opportunities to even more young people.
The Set Sail initiative, run by the Princess Royal Sailing Club in Albany, is another Great Southern project supported under the TPP, and has received $5,000 in funding support.
Set Sail is an introduction to sailing program for disengaged youth, and Aboriginal and senior participants.
The TPP is a joint initiative of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries in partnership with Healthway with a focus on evidence-based, low participation groups.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
"I'm pleased that more people from low-participation groups in the Great Southern region will be able to enjoy the many health, social and community benefits that community sport and recreation bring thanks to funding for these two initiatives.
"Sport and active recreation activities can be life-changing for the people involved, and these programs will enable participants to pursue sport and recreation activities that would not otherwise be available to them."
As stated by Acting Health Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This targeted initiative is a great platform to empower inactive communities to get involved in environmental, cultural, and outdoor sport and recreation activities.
"Being involved in regular physical activity fuels healthier lifestyles, connects us with each other and is beneficial for physical and mental wellbeing.
"The State Government is committed to creating opportunities for Western Australians to be active and healthy."
As stated by Albany MLA Peter Watson:
"The Set Sail initiative is a great program that will give disengaged youth and seniors the opportunity to have a go at sailing.
"It opens the way for people to participate in physical activity and enjoy a healthy lifestyle which is a great benefit for our community."
Sport and Recreation Minister's office - 6552 6400
