The federal government has unveiled a substantial investment aimed at providing school holiday activities for children and youth in Central Australia, emphasizing the importance of keeping young individuals engaged and active for the benefit of the entire community.
A total of $3.2 million will be allocated over the next two years to assist local community organizations and councils in Alice Springs/Mparntwe and surrounding areas in implementing programs designed for children during school breaks.
These initiatives will prioritize making educational activities available to young people and their families, promoting health benefits while encouraging positive interactions with peers and community youth services.
Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour expressed her support for the funding, noting that it builds upon the successful Summer in Central Australia initiative from 2023-24.
That program, which received $700,000 in collaborative funding alongside the Northern Territory government and various local councils and organizations, featured diverse activities including boxing classes, music workshops, bush excursions, and ice skating.
“This funding initiative will provide significant advantages for all communities in Central Australia, including those in remote areas,” Scrymgour stated. “It assures local youth service providers that they can confidently develop their activities and holiday programs for the upcoming two years.”
The impact of youth connection and community engagement is more critical than ever, as it fosters the development of healthy hobbies and social interactions, she added.
According to government sources, over 20,000 young people participated in the Summer in Central Australia program, contributing to a notable decrease in youth-related anti-social behavior in both local communities and Mparntwe.
In this latest initiative, the Northern Territory government will also finance local school holiday activities through its Alice Springs Youth Services Grants program. The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Northern Territory government and local Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organizations to maximize the effectiveness of services throughout the region.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy emphasized the broader benefits of keeping children and young people engaged during holiday periods.
“This funding will ensure local youth service providers can reliably plan and execute activities and holiday programs over the next two years,” Senator McCarthy remarked. “We understand that fostering connections among young people and their communities is essential for cultivating healthy pastimes and social networks.”
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