Engaging with young Aboriginal people in Wadeye

Tuesday, 20 December 2011

THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP

Member for Lingiari

Minister for Indigenous Health

SENATOR TRISH CROSSIN

Senator for the Northern Territory

20 December 2011

More than 40 young people in the remote community of Wadeye in the Northern Territory will benefit from $40,000 from the Australian Government’s Youth Development and Support Program.

The Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, today announced that CatholicCare NT would use the funding to deliver a series of art-based workshops and individual sessions to support Aboriginal young people in Wadeye.

“This project is an opportunity for young people to explore their talents and participate in community events, and I hope it will inspire some young people to explore the arts industry as a possible career option,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Connecting young people through artistic initiatives has shown promising results in terms of engaging with young people involved with anti social behaviour.”

“The outcomes of this project are expected to include improved engagement with school, greater self esteem and wellbeing, development of new skills, a reduction of drug misuse, greater family and role model engagement and a break down in gang culture,” he said.

Northern Territory Senator Trish Crossin said this project is supported by the Australian Government’s Youth Development and Support Program, an initiative designed to fund not-for-profit organisations to deliver initiatives providing opportunities for young Australians between 12-25 years to engage with their communities.

“The Australian Government has committed $500,000 for Youth Development and Support Program which will be distributed among 21 community organisations across the country,” Senator Crossin said.

For more information visit www.youth.gov.au.

Contact:
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Media Contact:(Minister Snowdon)Lidija Ivanovski 0407 108 935
(Senator Crossin) Carla Fernandes 0407 619 383