Category: NSW News

Residents, tourists and businesses in far western NSW are benefiting from an almost $10 million NSW Labor Government investment in upgrades to local roads in the Cobar and Unincorporated areas.

The upgrades are making outback roads safer, improving travel times for motorists and more people can stay on the road and get to where they need to go when there is wet weather.

On an outback trip last week, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison inspected projects funded through the Fixing Local Roads Program.

One of the projects completed by Cobar Shire Council is the upgrade of Wilga Downs Road which received almost $2.8 million from the NSW Government and almost $250,000 from council.

The sealing of nearly 14 kilometres of the road, construction of a causeway and stabilising of causeways means local industries, families and medical services now have all-weather access on an important route between the Cobar and Bourke Shires.

Another key far west road upgrade is also complete, with $2.75 million invested in improving the Cameron Corner Road, which straddles the border of NSW, Queensland and South Australia.

Transport for NSW delivered the works realigning two curves, rehabilitating the road, improving drainage, installing gravel overlay and sealing 2km of road.

Crews who delivered Cameron Corner Road upgrade are now working on two other local road improvements worth around $4.2 million and which will reduce the threat of erosion during storm events and improve wet weather resilience.

Southwest of Broken Hill, off the Silver City Highway, work on Netley Road is scheduled to begin in September 2024 to upgrade causeways by stabilising pavements and extending sealed sections.

At Bootra Road, northeast of Broken Hill near Packsaddle, work starts in July to deliver three kilometres of formation improvements and gravel resheeting to help reduce the need for road closures.

Each project is expected to take around three months to complete, weather permitting.

While rain and storms have significant impact on the road network in the far west, and these projects are designed to address that, recent wet weather has had an ecological silver lining.

After high rain fall in January and February, a Transport crew noticed an abundance of plants and animals including the Shield Shrimp (Triops Australianises), in pools of water that formed next to the Cameron Corner Road site.

Known as the ‘Shrimp of the outback’ it lives in arid parts of Australia and can lay dormant for over seven years until there is enough rainfall for them to hatch and feed.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“These four local road projects, totalling around $10 million of NSW Government investment, are critical resilience boosting measures for the road network in the far west.

“Better road surfaces and enhanced safety will be welcomed not only by local residents, emergency services and the mining and farming industries, but also by tourists who enjoy visiting the outback and have not often driven on gravel roads.

“Safer, more resilient roads are vital to the mining, pastoral and cropping industries. To give an example of just how vital these roads are, in some cases they are the only access point for pastoral stations and are therefore critical for the families who live and work there to get to school, medical appointments and to get their goods to and from market.”

Cobar Shire Council Mayor Jarrod Marsden said:

“We are delighted to have completed the important upgrade to Wilga Downs Road. Prior to the sealing work this route was closed 15 days per year on average due to rain, with washed out shoulders, forcing speed restrictions to be put in place.

“Every time the road was impassable, it would add around an hour of extra travel time which impacted community members in many ways including missed medical appointments and children not being able to get to school.

“The Shire’s prosperity is built around the mining industry of copper, lead, silver, zinc and gold, as well as pastoral and cropping enterprises. Having access on this road during all-weather events will help provide these industries with safe, reliable transport routes.

“The project to upgrade Wilga Downs Road has also provided a local economic boost with more than 1100 hours of work involved.”

The upgrade of Milton Ulladulla Hospital is moving ahead with a specialist team appointed to commence planning and design works.

The appointment is part of the NSW Government’s $7.5 million investment to deliver improved health services and infrastructure at Milton Ulladulla Hospital to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the local community.

The project scope and construction timeframes will be determined as part of the planning and design process and will include consultation will staff, stakeholders and the community. 

In addition to the planning and design of infrastructure upgrades at Milton Ulladulla Hospital, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District recently commenced the development of a draft Health Service Plan for the Milton Ulladulla facility. 

The draft Health Service Plan will guide future health and hospital service delivery over the next 10 – 15 years at Milton Ulladulla Hospital, including responding to the changing needs of the community such as:

• Increasing demand on the Milton Ulladulla Hospital Emergency Department, particularly through the peak summer period.
• The need for appropriate service models in response to the growing ageing population.
• Increasing need for non-hospital models of care, supporting the community to stay healthy at home.
• Exploring enhanced maternity services, including birthing services, so that local women can receive care as close to home as possible.

The community will be invited to have their say on the draft Health Service Plan at community sessions planned for September this year.

The NSW Government is also delivering the more than $780 million new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Servies project, and the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment, making it the health hub for the entire Illawarra, reducing the need to transfer patients to Wollongong and Sydney.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The appointment of the project manager, architect and cost manager is an important milestone in the delivery of the upgrade of the Milton Ulladulla Hospital.

“This experienced project team will work with staff, patients and the community to ensure the improvements best meet the needs of the community.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler:

“The Milton Ulladulla Hospital is a key regional hospital in the southern Shoalhaven, providing important healthcare services close to home.

“Consultation with the local community, including staff and stakeholders, will help guide the planning and design process for the hospital to ensure it meets our health needs now and into the future.”

Isolated Outback communities previously starved of transport options will soon have access to new bus services funded by the NSW Labor Government. The Brewarrina Outback Express and the Barraay Waraba, meaning ‘Fast Turtle’ in Gamilaraay language, will each offer flexible pre-booked transport services for the Brewarrina and Collarenebri communities on a trial basis for 24 months. The two services will give communities greater access to vital health care, employment, social and recreation opportunities which are often for taken for granted in larger towns and cities. Each service is expected to prove popular as in Brewarrina and Collarenebri, the proportion of households without a registered motor vehicle is well above the state average. In Collarenebri it’s actually twice the state average. Both services have been able to get up and running thanks to funding from the government’s Transport Access Regional Partnerships (TARP) grants program. The Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Lands Council received a grant to operate the Outback Express which will run three days a week from 31 July, servicing the Brewarrina community as well as four neighbouring Aboriginal villages — Bush Queen, Barwon 4, Newtown and Billabong. In late August the Express will also extend to offer a return service from Brewarrina to Bourke once a week on Thursday, and once a fortnight on a Friday from Weilmoringle to Brewarrina. This will allow residents from Brewarrina and Weilmoringle reliable access to essential services such as medical care. The Barraay Waraba (Fast Turtle) project was proposed by the Healthy Communities Foundation and will establish a regular and reliable transport service between Collarenebri and Moree every Thursday, as well as between Collarenebri and Walgett on Monday and Friday. The Point to Point Transport Commissioner has been working side by side with Transport for NSW to help these two providers become accredited to operate the services. The Brewarrina Outback Express starts operating on 31 July and bookings can be made in person from 30 July at 105 Bathurst Street in Brewarrina or by calling 6839 2273. The Collarenebri Barraay Waraba (Fast Turtle) service is planned to start on 18 July and bookings can be made from Wednesday 17 July by calling 02 5809 9505 or by dropping into the Healthy Communities office at 11 Wilson Street in Collarenebri. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said: “Outside of school student travel there was previously no transport options for residents of Weilmoringle, 100 kilometres north of Brewarrina. 02 7225 6000 52 Martin Place Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5341 Sydney NSW 2001 OFFICIAL 1 OFFICIAL “Now thanks to investments the NSW Labor Government is making to reduce isolation and improve access to transport where it’s needed most, residents in places like Weilmoringle have a regular service they can rely on to get them to the doctor, grocery store or other transport services. “These might sound like small things to people in the city but our government understands that investing in services like the Outback Express and Barraay Waraba Fast Turtle can actually make a huge difference to people’s lives by helping to close gaps in life expectancy, educational, employment and other outcomes we often see in remote parts of our state.” Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler said: “The Brewarrina Outback Express and the Barraay Waraba (Fast Turtle) will vastly improve travel opportunities and help reduce isolation. “People living in remote communities shouldn’t miss out on travel opportunities, family visits and important appointments because of a lack of transport options. Improving public transport to remote communities will help have an impact on everything from cost-of-living pressures to medical outcomes for people in the bush. “I hope the local communities will take advantage of these new services and that we make sure they’re around for a long time to come.” Labor’s spokesperson for Barwon Stephen Lawrence said: “In Collarenebri, there is no current transport option other than limited transport for those with medical needs, no transport available at all to get to Walgett and, limited availability of private vehicles. “This is just one community I’m delighted to see will benefit from the NSW Labor Government’s investments in improved access to transport. “For too long these communities were overlooked by the city-centric former Liberal National Government and I’m proud Labor is directing investments responsibly where they’re needed most.” Brewarrina Shire Council Mayor Vivian Slack-Smith said: “This is a service the Brewarrina and Weilmoringle communities have long been calling for. “Thank you to the Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Lands Council, who will operate the service, and to Minister Aitchison and the Transport Access Regional Partnerships (TARP) grants program for funding this vital service. “It will make a real difference in the lives of many in our community, helping them to have easier access to services and opportunities in town, and the wider region.”

NSW Ambulance has welcomed 82 new paramedic interns today after they were officially inducted into the service at a ceremony in Sydney.

This is the fifth class to join NSW Ambulance this year, with 54 of the paramedics joining the team from interstate and two from New Zealand.

Following completion of a tertiary degree at university, the paramedic interns have completed six weeks of induction with NSW Ambulance.

They will now be posted across the state to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships.

More than half of this class will start their careers in regional NSW, with 16 heading to Hunter New England, 12 to the North Coast, 15 to Southern NSW and four to Western NSW. This is a significant boost for these regional areas and will further assist NSW Ambulance in providing world-class emergency and mobile healthcare across the state.

Following their year as an intern, the paramedics will return to Sydney to complete their training before taking up permanent positions in metropolitan and regional areas.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting our paramedic workforce, having started the roll out of 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities and investing in a record pay increase for paramedics in December making them among the highest paid in the country

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“I’m proud to welcome our latest paramedic interns to NSW Ambulance where I know they will provide the people of NSW with the best care possible when they are unwell and at their most vulnerable.

“I congratulate these new paramedic interns for reaching this milestone as they start their careers on the frontline of emergency healthcare in NSW and thank them for their dedication to their community.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive, Dr Dominic Morgan:

“I warmly welcome these interns into NSW Ambulance where each of them will play a vital role in keeping the people of NSW safe and healthy.

“I know all who were inducted today have demonstrated a high level of clinical skills and dedication to their training.”

People at risk of harm from alcohol and drug use in NSW will have greater access to support and treatment with the Minns Labor Government funding 12 new alcohol and other drug hubs across the state.

Twelve not-for-profit organisations will receive a share of $33.9 million over four years to deliver new, wrap-around alcohol and other drug support services, as part of the NSW Government’s response to the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’.

The hubs are a new approach to service delivery, bringing together multiple agencies working in partnership to provide tailored treatment and care to help people address their substance use as well as broader health and social needs in a coordinated way targeted to priority populations.

Six organisations are funded to launch new AOD hubs to specifically meet the needs of priority populations in regional and rural NSW and include:

• Australian Community Support Organisation, Shellharbour
• Directions Health Services, Bega and Eden
• Orange Aboriginal Medical Service
• Social Futures, Singleton
• St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Armidale
• The Salvation Army, Wagga Wagga

A further six organisations are funded to add access to alcohol and other drug treatment and support to their existing community services. These include:

• The Buttery, Nimbin
• Grand Pacific Health, Queanbeyan
• Aboriginal Community Housing, Kempsey
• Gandangara Health Service Ltd, South Western Sydney
• Bill Crews Foundation, Ashfield
• Mission Australia, Sydney

Building on this commitment to better health outcomes for people impacted by drugs and alcohol, the NSW Government is also announcing the dates for its drug summit.

The multiday summit will comprise of two days of regional forums in October 2024 and two days of forums in Sydney on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December.

The Drug Summit was an election commitment.

It will bring together medical experts, police, people with lived and living experience, drug user organisations, families, and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives and build consensus on the way NSW deals with drug use and harms.

The NSW Government will begin initial discussions with stakeholders in determining the terms of reference of the summit. 

Premier Chris Minns:

“We made a commitment before the election to hold a drug summit.”

“We know that drug use impacts individuals, families and communities in many different ways. The drug summit will bring people together to find new ways forward to tackle this incredibly complex and difficult problem.”

Health Minister Ryan Park:

“These new alcohol and other drug hubs will boost access to much needed support services, particularly in regional and rural areas and for priority populations.

“They will provide welcoming, culturally safe environments and tailored treatment options to support people affected by alcohol and other drugs, and their families, to achieve enhanced quality of life.

“The drug summit will provide a range of viewpoints from those who interact with illicit drug use and addiction, from both health as well as non-health contexts.

“This is an important conversation for us to have and it will be the first of its kind in a quarter-century.

“A lot of work has gone into this so far, and more work will go into this in partnership with the community to ensure we get this right.”

Experienced barrister, Justice David Chin, has been officially welcomed as a judge of the Industrial Court of NSW and Vice President of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW.

In front of family, friends and colleagues at a ceremony attended by Attorney General Michael Daley in Sydney, Justice Chin committed to upholding integrity in the state’s workplace relations system.

Justice Chin is a specialist in workplace health and safety, industrial, employment and discrimination law, who co-authored The Modern Contract of Employment. With 30 years’ experience as a solicitor, barrister, lecturer and author, he has a long-held passion for advocacy, and for industrial law and justice making a positive change to people’s lives.

For more than two decades, His Honour has been a barrister admitted in the High Court of Australia and in NSW and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2019. He was also admitted as a solicitor in the NSW Supreme Court in 1994.

Justice Chin worked on a range of cases during this period, including high-profile matters. From 2017 to 2019, he appeared for the Public Service Association of NSW in a major pay equity case before the Industrial Relations Commission. His work meant that female-dominated assistants employed in NSW public schools received substantial pay increases to rectify gender-based undervaluation.

He also appeared for the labour-hire employer in both the Federal Court and High Court of Australia in the landmark WorkPac v Rossatolitigation which settled the common law definition of casual employment.

At the same time, he was involved in academia. Justice Chin first taught at the University of NSW for three years and later became an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Sydney University Law School, where he ran a master’s degree course for more than 10 years.

His Honour was sworn in on 1 July 2024.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“I am confident Justice David Chin will play an integral leadership role in the Industrial Court of NSW and the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).

“Coincidentally, after returning to Australia from a master’s degree at Oxford University in 1995 and working with the Labor Council of NSW, his first ever appearance was at the IRC. It’s there he realised his values aligned with its purpose – to be independent, fair, and efficient.

“Once again, I would like to congratulate His Honour on this well-deserved appointment.”

City of Newcastle is progressing the centrepiece of its Harbour Foreshore Masterplan, seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for contractors to deliver the city’s largest playground.

The inclusive regional playspace and waterplay area will be located at the western end of Foreshore Park and have a distinctly Newcastle character, paying tribute to the city’s Aboriginal heritage as well as its industrial and maritime links.

An artist’s impression of the water play area to be created at Foreshore Park

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was delivering on its commitment to provide enhanced recreational opportunities for the community.

“We know how much our community values open spaces and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and engage in an active and healthy lifestyle,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This is why we continue to invest in and deliver a range of local, district and regional level playgrounds to ensure everyone has the opportunity to access quality facilities now and into the future.”

The EOI process, which closes 20 August, will enable City of Newcastle to shortlist suitably qualified contractors to proceed to the tendering phase for the design and construction of the new playground and waterplay area.

Work is also underway to enable construction of an accessible amenities building and kiosk that will serve playground users and the broader park.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said these staged works were key elements of the larger Foreshore Masterplan, which will help realise the full potential of the city’s premier park and events space.

“Our Harbour Foreshore Masterplan will deliver enhanced connectivity between the city and the harbour’s edge around Foreshore Park and along the Joy Cummings Promenade, creating a drawcard destination for locals and visitors from across the region to enjoy,” Cr Clausen said.

“The playspace project is a fantastic example of collaboration between City of Newcastle, our community and Touched by Olivia, a charity dedicated to the delivery of inclusive playspaces across Australia.

“It will transform the Harbour Foreshore into a more inviting recreational space that is inclusive and accessible for all members of the community.”

The flagship playground project will create a fun, inclusive and intergenerational experience designed to convey distinct Newcastle stories under the banners of trade, exchange, history, culture and environment.

It will feature junior and toddler areas, water and nature-based play areas and quiet spaces, connected via accessible paths, seating, shade, gardens and lawns.

Bespoke playground equipment will add to its unique and unquestionably local character, including a central whale-themed swing area that takes inspiration from a traditional Awabakal story, and an elevated play structure symbolising Newcastle’s strong industrial ties.

Extensive tree planting and landscaping will be carried out throughout the precinct as part of the broader masterplan to significantly increase shade canopy and create greener public spaces.

The project is supported by the NSW Government, Variety the Children’s Charity, Touched by Olivia Foundation and the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund. 

The Minns Labor Government is helping futureproof the State’s farming industry and support regional economies by extending a program focused on upskilling the State’s agricultural workforce.

AgSkilled is an industry-led training program designed to upskill and better prepare the agricultural workforce for fast-moving changes driven by innovation, research, and technology.

In the past year, the program delivered 601 courses across 145 locations in NSW, with 2,536 participants. An impressive 95% of these participants completed their courses, showcasing the program’s effectiveness and popularity.

With the extension of AgSkilled, the program aims to:

• Attract, develop and retain a productive agricultural workforce.
• Support career progression, entry pathways, and employment outcomes in agriculture.
• Increase agricultural farm efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Develop industry capacity to adopt new technologies and sustainable farming practices.
• Leverage research and development to ensure training is relevant, current, and meets industry needs.

Popular and priority courses, based on industry feedback, include honeybee biosecurity, chemical risk management, biosecurity training for managers/supervisors and farm workers/employees, farm business planning and operating and managing remote pilot aircraft systems.

AgSkilled is delivered by Training Services NSW in partnership with industry associations, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, and the Agriculture, Food, and Animal Management Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB).

This collaboration ensures the program is designed to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

More information on AgSkilled 3.0 and how to participate in the training programs, can be found HERE.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is supporting a resilient and innovative agricultural sector.

“It’s great to have programs like AgSkilled to further assist agricultural workers to stay up-to-date with research and developments, new technologies and help increase agricultural farm productivity.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“This $5 million extension of AgSkilled reflects our strong commitment to supporting and advancing the agricultural sector in NSW.

“By investing in the skills and training of our workforce, we are ensuring that our farmers and agricultural workers are well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

“AgSkilled is not just about training; it’s about building a resilient, innovative, and highly skilled workforce that can drive productivity and sustainability in our agricultural industries.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Veterans David Harris will attend the inaugural Middle East Area of Operations Commemoration today to honour the service of contemporary veterans.

Hosted by RSL NSW at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, the service takes place three years to the day the Federal Minister for Defence confirmed all Australian Defence Force personnel had departed Afghanistan, bringing our nation’s longest war involvement to a close.

The conflicts in the Middle East were in response to the 2001 September 11 terrorist attacks, and Australian military personnel and civilian staff from various agencies took part in campaigns across the Middle East Area of Operations between 2001 and 11 July 2021.

Our nation’s participation came at a terrible cost with 54 lives lost in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.

Many more service personnel returned home with long-lasting physical and mental injuries, which are still felt today, and, tragically, a high number of veteran suicides.

The commemoration comes a day after the NSW Government announced a $2 million investment to building a new war memorial dedicated to honour the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Middle East campaigns and their families, delivering on a key election commitment.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Today we honour the immense contribution and sacrifice of our contemporary veterans in Middle East conflicts.

“We recognise their courage and their service, as well as the ongoing toll of their experiences, both visible and invisible.

“These veterans continue the proud tradition of our armed forces, serving abroad to protect the Australian way of life at home.

“This day will forever be enshrined in remembrance of these brave men and women.”

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Today we gather to acknowledge the service of our contemporary veterans. These servicemen and servicewomen who have served in recent conflicts have made extraordinary sacrifices to continue the legacy of our Anzacs from the First World War.

“They have served our country with distinction, but have also felt enormous loss as a result of conflicts. Many continue to wear this burden long after they departed the Middle East. I would like to thank them for their service, and also thank their families for supporting their loved ones.”

A training program in Western NSW is helping to break down barriers and ensure Aboriginal communities have better access to mental health support on Country.

A training program in Western NSW is helping to break down barriers and ensure Aboriginal communities have better access to mental health support on Country.

Communities in Nyngan, Warren and Condobolin, Coonamble and Gulargambone are benefiting from better access to culturally safe and informed mental health services following the graduation of 20 trainees from the Marathon Health Aboriginal Wellness Worker traineeship program.

It comes a year after Marathon Health received $1 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program to roll out the program and help graduates like proud Wiradjuri woman, Shaana Daley, deliver culturally safe outreach support to western communities.

Trainees such as Ms Daley are employed by Marathon Health during their studies and receive on-the-job experience helping young people aged 12-25 years in Western NSW improve their mental health literacy, increase help-seeking behaviours, and receive basic health assessments and referrals to appropriate services.

The traineeship program is about removing barriers to education and employment and assists students with accommodation, travel costs, meal allowances and support during their studies.

Ms Daley, who recently completed her Certificate IV in Mental Health at the Warren Youth Centre and Community Hub, is grateful for the opportunity to deliver the kind of mental health support she would have liked to receive while growing up.

She is among a total of 29 participants in the Aboriginal Wellness Worker traineeship program, including:

• 13 graduates in the first cohort, who graduated with a Certificate IV Mental Health.
• Seven graduates in the second cohort, who graduated with a Certificate III in Primary Health.
• Nine students in cohort three, who are currently undertaking their Certificate III Community Services

Through Marathon Health’s Youth Outreach Project, graduates like Ms Daley will begin servicing additional communities in Bourke, Brewarrina, Lightning Ridge, Walgett and Collarenebri later in the year.

The program is supported by Western NSW Primary Health Network.

Minister for Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

“The NSW Government is committed to boosting mental health outcomes in Western NSW, and I am pleased to share that we have extended the Aboriginal Wellness Worker traineeship program to now facilitate a third cohort of trainees who will graduate with a Certificate III in Community Services.

“The thing I love about this program is that it is working towards addressing an immediate healthcare need in Far West communities while also giving trainees hands-on experience and on-the-job training while they complete their studies.”

“It means that by the time our trainees graduate, they already have some great experience under their belt to support and help youth in their local communities to help ensure they are aware of what mental health support services are there when, or if, they need them.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, David Harris said:

“The NSW Government’s commitment to achieving its Closing the Gap priorities emphasises the need to address mental health for Aboriginal people, and the Aboriginal Wellness Worker Program will ensure that Aboriginal communities have access to mental health support from professionals with firsthand knowledge of local issues.

“Closing the Gap is about empowering local Aboriginal communities to drive shared decision-making and self-determination. We know there are better outcomes when Aboriginal organisations and people design, lead and implement Closing the Gap initiatives, which this program is a wonderful example of.

“With 20 First Nations trainees now certified and more to come, this achievement signifies a strengthening of the First Nations workforce in 10 communities across Western NSW and promises better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“The theme of NAIDOC Week 2024, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud,’ celebrates Indigenous identity and empowers First Nations people to stand tall in their heritage and support each other –  Graduates like Wiradjuri woman Shaana Daley exemplify this year’s theme, and I look forward to seeing what she does in her community.”

Marathon Health Program Team Lead, Brendan Cubby, said:

“It is really encouraging that many of our learners are seeing opportunities for themselves and their families that just weren’t possible before taking part in this program,” Mr Cubby said.

“The program is breaking down barriers and opening up wider pathways for people from remote communities”.

Shaana Daley – Cohort 1 graduate– Certificate IV Mental Health:

“Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of support where mental health was concerned,” Ms Daley said.

“Mental health is very important, especially for our youth. They need to have that support.

“I can already see the benefits of just being there for them, for the kids to have someone they can talk to and open up to – especially our Aboriginal kids. This is something that has been needed for a very long time, and if I can help even one kid, that’s enough for me.”

Stevie Carr – Cohort 2 graduate– Certificate III Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care:

“The youth outreach program has not only given the chance to further my career but also allowed me to better support my community,” Stevie said.

“I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to learn and further my knowledge of my people and how important it is to ensure meaningful community engagement when it comes to our health and education.”

Lacey Boney – Cohort 3 trainee – Cert III Community Services:

“I believe that having qualifications in community service can have a significant impact” Ms Boney said.

“By acquiring these skills, I feel that I can contribute by creating culturally safe environments that are welcoming and provide a sense of belonging and overall well-being for community members.”