Wathaurong to use $1.6m grant for dedicated facility

THE Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative will use a $1.6 million state government grant to create a dedicated space for the Wathaurong community’s young people.

To be known as the Healing Spirit Youth Hub, the major refurbishment of the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative’s property at 20A Forster Street, Norlane is part of the sixth round of the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program.

In a statement released on Monday this week, the co-operative’s board hailed its inclusion as one of the 21 organisations to be sharing in $11 million in the latest round.

“The Wathaurong community has long advocated for a space where our children and young people can access a broad range of supports in one convenient location,” the board stated.

“Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative has listened to our young people, and we are thrilled to finally deliver on a space that has been developed by and for our young mob.

“The future site will provide a culturally safe gathering place to enable young people to connect and engage with each other on a day-to-day basis to gather and yarn, participate in cultural activities, strengthen life skills, receive support and guidance.

“It is hoped that the new space will be ready for a grand opening during NAIDOC Week in 2023.”

The board thanked the Victorian Health Building Authority for their additional $647,000 contribution to the project, and congratulated all successful grant recipients.

The Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program (ACIP) is a grants program that enables Aboriginal organisations to build new fit-for-purpose infrastructure or to repair, refurbish or expand existing infrastructure to support Aboriginal Victorians to thrive, and live self-determined and culturally rich lives.

Other grant recipients in this round include the Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service; Bunjilwarra in Hastings, Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative in Horsham, Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville and Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.

“We’re proud to be partnering with frontline Aboriginal organisations to ensure they have fit-for-purpose facilities that provide culturally safe spaces for community,” Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams said.

“These grants will allow Aboriginal organisations to get on with what they do best – identifying and providing the services Aboriginal people need.”

Since 2018, the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program has supported 94 projects and delivered more than $39 million for Aboriginal organisations to build new infrastructure, or to repair and expand existing infrastructure so they can create culturally safe spaces and bolster essential services.

For more information, head to firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/aboriginal-community-infrastructure-program.