Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith has announced that Yana Yirabana Aboriginal Corporation will receive a grant through the NSW Government’s inaugural Community and Place funding program.
The first round of the landmark Community and Place Grants Program will provide $20.5 million in funding across the State to solutions-focused projects that immediately engage and benefit Aboriginal communities.
Stuart Ayres said Yana Yirabana right here in Penrith will receive $90,000 for their “Many Voices” project to help deliver real benefits and connections for our local Aboriginal community.
Yana Yirabana meaning “walk this way” will encourage Aboriginal people to seek assistance with health, family support and culture.
“I’m delighted that Yana Yirabana can now get on with starting up and working closely with our local Aboriginal people,” said Stuart Ayres.
Rodney Matthews of Yana Yirabana said we welcome this funding that will enable us to get in and consult with the growing local Aboriginal community and get them the services and supports they need and making sure they are heard.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the Community and Place funding program is delivering tangible local benefit and impact to Aboriginal communities against Closing the Gap targets, while also recognising that Aboriginal communities have the solutions to issues in their community.
“This is a terrific and unique program that will put important funding in the hands of Aboriginal groups who best know how to bring about improvements and opportunities for their community,” Mr Franklin said.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government knows that by investing in local community initiatives we will significantly increase the likelihood of NSW achieving our targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.”
For more information on the Community and Place grant program, visit the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website.
