$1.6 MILLION TO SUPPORT ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES BALLINA MP ANNOUNCES 2022 COMMUNITY FUNDING

Aboriginal languages across NSW will be revived and supported thanks to a $1.6 million investment from the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the Aboriginal Languages Grants Program is now open for Aboriginal Community organisations and groups to support their Language programs.

“I’m proud that the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government, the frst Government in this country to support Aboriginal Languages through legislation, is continuing its commitment to the growth of Aboriginal Languages in this state,” Mr Franklin said.

“Over the last three years the Aboriginal Languages Trust has granted more than $2.7 million to Aboriginal organisations and

Communities. Regional areas have received 89 per cent of these grants. This important funding will reawaken, grow and raise awareness of Aboriginal Languages in Communities right across NSW.”

Aboriginal Languages Trust Board Deputy Chairperson and Gomeroi woman Catherine Trindall said the Board is excited about the increase in funding for 2023 and ensuring community continue current successes with ongoing fnancial security.

“There’s an incredible range of Aboriginal Language activities underway across NSW. The Trust is here to listen and to actively support the realisation of community aspirations,” Ms Trindall said.

The $1.6 million investment is split between two different programs. The

Aboriginal Languages Revival Program focusses on small, seed funding to reach a broad range of communities across the state. This is an open, competitive program for $1,000 to $25,000 for one-off support to Aboriginal Community organisations and groups to commence and build on small-scale revival projects.

The Aboriginal Languages Sustainable Funding Program promotes sustainability by offering renewed funding for $25,000 to $60,000. This is an invitation only grants round for the 17 Aboriginal Community organisations and groups who received funding in 2021-2022 to support continuation and growth of their successful projects.

For more information on this program, visit: alt.nsw.gov.au/

Tamara Smith MP, Member for Ballina, recently announced the electorate of Ballina has secured $400,000 in funding for a total of 14 projects through the NSW Government’s 2022 Community Building Partnership Program.

Local volunteer groups are the backbone of our community, Ms Smith said. “I am pleased that these groups can improve on their infrastructure and make life a little easier for their volunteers.

“We saw the power of volunteer groups and the commendable work they did during last year’s flood events; it makes sense to support these groups that have been there for us.”

Ms Smith said the

State Government funds would deliver muchneeded improvements to local facilities, including the provision of transport for cancer patients in Byron Bay, the upgrade of radio equipment at the Marine Rescue tower, night vision goggles for emergency fire-flood response for CareFlight and the creation of a community space for Wardell CORE.

“This is fantastic news for our region,” Ms Smith said. “This grassroots funding will directly help create a more resilient and inclusive local community with positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes.

“I congratulate all the organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for community groups in the area.

“This year, there is $400,000 to allocate in each electorate. Applications for the 2023 Program open in May. I encourage community groups in my electorate to apply,” Ms Smith said The Member for Ballina has assisted more than 100 community organisations and delivered $2.3 million in grants through the program since she was elected in 2015.

The Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 16,000 community projects since it began in 2009.

Radio workshops for Aboriginal youth, podcast creation and training in interviewing, script writing and audio editing are among the projects to be funded under the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s 2023 Regional Youth Radio Program.

Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin today announced Wagga Wagga City Council will develop one of 11 youth-led projects across the State that will share in $250,000 to support young people to develop skills in podcasting and radio production and presentation.

“The Regional Youth Radio Program is one of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s most exciting programs as it gives young people living in the regions a platform to talk about the issues that are important to them on a public platform,” Mr Franklin said.

“The projects chosen to be delivered this year will give young people the skills to create radio and podcasts, but also encourage them to develop their communication and work-readiness skills and participate in public discourse.”

As part of the 2023 Regional Youth Radio Program, at least $75,000 has been dedicated to Aboriginal community projects, ensuring young Aboriginal people will have their voices heard.

Wagga Wagga City Council has received $24,934 to develop a ‘Growing up Regional with Our Language, Culture and Identity’ program. Youth Development Offcer Alex Osgood said it will be a welcomed boost for the region.

“Through ‘Growing Up Regional with Our Language, Culture and Identity’ 10 young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will be able to access podcast and live broadcast training”, Ms Osgood said.

“This will allow them to share their unique experiences of growing up regionally, shining a light on both the challenges and opportunities of connecting with culture, language and identity in regional New South Wales.”