SHADOW Minister for Women and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Felicity Wilson visited several Moree organisations on Monday, including NDIS service provider Bamara and Moree Secondary College’s Clontarf Academy.
Ms Wilson, invited to Moree by Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, also met with management and staff at Café Gali and Yaama Ganu Gallery, Aboriginal Employment Strategy, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation and Miyay Birray Youth Service.
Ms Wilson, the Member for North Shore who was earlier this year promoted to the NSW frontbench in a coalition reshuffle, said Moree has a lot to offer.
“In my role as shadow minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Brendan invited me to Moree to meet members of the community, and particularly organisations here that support the Aboriginal community,” Ms Wilson said.
“I enjoyed seeing some of the initiatives and activities that are underway in Moree and the surrounding areas that work with Aborigine communities.
“Moree is a beautiful town. There seems to be so much history here, and so much character,” she said.
Ms Wilson met with staff at Bamara, a relatively new service to Moree, and spoke at length with Parent Pathway and DLAP team leader Kerry Macey, NDIS team leader Kylie Stirling and NDIS support co-ordinator Mel Bull.
“It was really interesting to hear about some of the work they are doing, like driver-training, supporting parents and the NDIS services for the broader community,” Ms Wilson said.
Kylie Stirling said the work done at Bamara was community-focused.
“All our programs are community based and our service delivery is wrapped around the individual, not a one-fits-all type of scenario,” Ms Stirling said.
Bamara offers family-oriented services, including the innovative Parent Pathways program and Driver Licensing Access Program.
“About six months ago, we identified the need for another car to service the Moree area because we were completely booked out,” Ms Stirling said.
“We now have two cars running and it also helps cut down waiting time periods for our clients.”
Team Leader Kerry Macey said Parent Pathways was a doorway for young children entering the education system.
“Any parent or carer with a child under six years of age can come to us,” Ms Macey said.
“We help them get into programs – it could something like studying or attending play groups. When the child reaches six and they’re off to school, the parent can try and get back into the workforce. We can help with that, too.”
Afterwards, Ms Wilson met with Moree Secondary College Clontarf students and academy director Alex Barker.
The Clontarf Foundation was founded in 2000 at Clontarf Aboriginal College in Waterford, Western Australia, and expanded into New South Wales in 2012, initially with seven academies, including Moree.
On August 7, a celebration of the Clontarf Foundation and its impact in New South Wales, was held at Parliament House, Sydney.
“We welcomed Clontarf into parliament last week to celebrate their 12 years of creating opportunities for Aboriginal boys in New South Wales,” Ms Wilson said.
“Brendan and I are really focused on trying to expand Clontarf services to primary schools in particular. That is something we’ll be advocating for at Macquarie Street.”
Moree Clontarf Academy director, Alex Barker, thanked Ms Wilson for making time on Monday to speak with a group of Clontarf students while visiting Moree.
“Felicity spoke with our boys about how the Clontarf program is supporting them through high school and about their aspirations for life after graduation,” Mr Barker said.
Ms Wilson also sought the students’ thoughts about introducing Clontarf programs to primary schools in New South Wales.
“Our meeting with Felicity was a valuable opportunity for the boys to practise interacting in a formal setting – one of our key goals at Clontarf – as we work to develop the life skills young Aboriginal men need to be able to participate more meaningfully in society,” Mr Barker said.
“The boys did an excellent job, and once again, our sincere thanks to Felicity for generously giving her time while in Moree.”
Miyay Birray Youth Service CEO Darrel Smith and youth officer Glen Crump updated Ms Wilson on the bail accommodation facility soon to be established in Moree.
The program is a partnership between Miyay Birray, Moree SHAE Academy and Pius X Aboriginal Corporation, with well-known local Adam See appointed project manager.
“Felicity’s visit to Miyay Birray was a chance for us to give her an insight into the work conducted by our staff and to brief her on the progress of the bail accommodation service,” Mr Crump said.
“The shadow minister had a keen interest in all the programs we have to offer.”
Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, said the shadow minister’s visit to Moree produced positive outcomes for a raft of local service providers.
“It was a very productive day, with visits to Indigenous organisations such as Miyay Birray, Bamara, Pius X, Moree Aboriginal Employment Service as well as meeting with students from the Clontarf Academy and staff,” Mr Moylan said.
“Felicity was brought up-to-date with key developments from all organisations, and got a lot out of the visit.
“She is very much looking forward to returning to Moree in the future,” he said.
