Budja Budja Aboriginal Corporation will receive $434,406 to provide additional case management services for Indigenous Australians at Stawell, Halls Gap and Ararat.
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Member for Mallee Andrew Broad said the Australian government grant was a big win for Indigenous families and communities across the Wimmera Mallee region.
“Budja Budja Aboriginal Corporation will be able to further assist people dealing with mental health issues, alcohol and substance abuse, family violence and cultural disconnection,” he said.
“The government is prioritising improving the safety of Indigenous families and communities and this grant is providing support to those who need it most.
“We are always on the lookout for better health outcomes in the Wimmera Mallee and this funding will provide those extra services through to June 30, 2019.”
Mr Broad said the Commonwealth government continued to push towards closing the health gap in regional Australia, committing to providing funding over a two year period through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
The Budja Budja Aboriginal Corporation project is one of 43 recently funded under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
Budja Budja Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Tim Chatfield said the money would enable improved outcomes for the Indigenous community in the region.
“It is definitely a big win for Aboriginal Australians and their communities in the Wimmera Mallee district,” he said.
“There is a high population of indigenous people within our catchment and we are the only Indigenous organisation of our type between Ballarat and Horsham, so it is a welcomed announcement.”
Mr Chatfield also said the cash injection was a step in the right direction towards closing the health gap in rural Australia and among Aboriginal communities.
“This gives a great amount of confidence to our dedicated staff members to continue carrying out their services and improving the lives of Indigenous people,” he said.
Each provider will be asked to collect service data to assess the impact of the service and to better understand what works in order to overcome Indigenous health disadvantages in the future.