New funding opportunities announced for Victoria’s Aboriginal organisations

THE Victorian government has launched the seventh round of its Aboriginal community infrastructure program, offering grants of up to $1.6 million to ensure organisations have the facilities they need to deliver their services.

Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins announced today (Tuesday, February 13) at the Western Victoria Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) Collective that applications for the grant program are officially open.

The program supports Aboriginal organisations to build new infrastructure or repair, renovate or expand existing infrastructure, enabling them to meet the needs of Aboriginal Victorians.

“The Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program has supported Aboriginal organisations to upgrade and expand their facilities so they can deliver the essential services their communities need since 2018,” Ms Hutchins said.

The program also strives to support Aboriginal self-determination.

“It’s supporting Aboriginal-run organisations, and we know that they’re delivering the best outcomes and the best services in closing the gap that exists between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal Victorians,” Ms Hutchins said.

The Western District ACCO Collective (WDAC) represents 28 per cent of Victoria’s Aboriginal people, the largest regional Victorian Aboriginal population.

Its membership comprises Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, Ballarat and District Aborignal Co-operative, Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative, Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly & Community Health Service, Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative, Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative, Kirrae Health Service, and Winda-Mara Aboriginal Co-operative.

Ms Hutchins said Aboriginal-led organisations in the region had already benefited from more than $8 million in funding through the grant program, including the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

The funds were put toward the development of the Healing Spirit Youth Hub: Karroung Kanyool, a culturally safe space for children and young people to gather and access wellbeing services.

“We know that some of these services have been around for 40 years [and] that some of their equipment, some of their spaces, are getting old,” Ms Hutchins said.

“It’s about being able to get that new infrastructure in place to expand the services.”

“We invite applications from eligible Aboriginal organisations so we can best support them and their communities to thrive.”

Applications for the grant program are open until April 22 at 2pm.

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