MORE than $100,000 in funding has now been awarded to community organisations to deliver engaging after-hours activities for young people in the Moree Plains Shire.
The boost in activities has seen young people from across the shire participate in diverse programs to build support networks, develop positive life skills, deepen connection to culture and help them stay off the streets at night.
Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Susannah Pearse said Council was grateful for the significant investment in Moree Shire’s young people and the community.
“Too often, we hear there is nothing for older kids to do in Moree,” Cr Pearse said.
“These programs are addressing that, and also building skills and valuable relationships at the same time.
“I strongly encourage any community, sporting groups and businesses to think about what would be great to have in the school holidays – and apply to deliver it,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Wayne Tighe said the initiatives play a vital role in helping individuals connect in meaningful ways.
“We appreciate the leaders who are behind these after-hours opportunities,” Cr Tighe said.
“We encourage continued support in delivering initiatives, as they contribute to fostering a stronger sense of community and cohesion.”
From boxing classes and rap workshops, to representing Moree at prestigious sporting competitions, young people are getting actively involved and showcasing the scope of talent in the region.
On October 25, Mad Proppa Deadly brought back the Moree Block Party for an incredible celebration of community, culture and music.
In addition to community stalls, fantastic food and a stacked line-up of artists including Kobie Dee and Barkaa, a host of activities were organised for young people, including cultural dance, music workshops and weaving.
Founder Nate Weatherall said great things are built from the ground up.
“The Moree Block Party showed when a community comes together, we can create something really special, full of culture and creativity,” Mr Weatherall said.
Mungindi Local Aboriginal Land Council has been delivering after-school arts workshops to local kids, who have been busy practising drawing and painting, and creating a story vision for a community mural through Aboriginal symbols and art.
In the coming weeks, they will work with Aboriginal artist Elenore Binge to paint their stories on a wall at the Land Council.
CEO Danielle Dent spoke about how excited the kids were to participate, even coming to the office when the program wasn’t running, and the interest and support from parents and community who can’t wait to see the finished product.
With the help of their trusty new van, Chalky’s Gym has seen a real increase in after-school activities. They have taken young people to other gyms outside Moree to improve sparring techniques and will take some of their rising stars to interstate competitions to learn what it takes to compete in the big leagues and connect with other boxers and gyms.
Pro-boxer, Brocke Brown, said Chalky’s van has given him “the freedom to explore opportunities” outside his neighbourhood, and it “had made a huge difference” in his life.
Head coaches, Colin ‘Chalky’ Rice and Paul Sio, said the bus had been a gamechanger for the gym’s outreach efforts, helping them reach more young people and support them to participate in activities.
The Grants program also supported SHAE Academy to take a mixed under-15s team to the National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout in Dubbo, where they were crowned the undefeated champions of the tournament.
Funding is still available and the Premier’s Department encourages anyone interested in delivering activities – especially during the upcoming school holidays – to reach out with their ideas or submit an application.
For more information, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/moree-after-hours-activities-grants
Other activities recently funded, include:
Yinarr Wellness Foundation received almost $10,000 to hold the ‘Yinarr Miyay Healing Series’ delivering cultural weaving and painting with Elders, cultural dance, life skills workshops and mindfulness/healing. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555208631618
Toomelah GubuRa received $17,000 to continue delivering its touch football initiative and purchase a bus to transport young people to and from the competition. Having safe and reliable transport means more young people can attend and don’t have to worry about how they will be able to join.
SHAE Academy received just over $6000 to run a four-week junior touch football competition after positive feedback from the knock-out.
The competition will run on Monday and Wednesday evenings, helping young people improve their health and wellbeing, develop positive habits and hopefully have more teams representing Moree at next year’s Knockout. Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070183110451
Media Release
