Education project will open pathways for Ngarrindjeri communities
Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Empowered Communities will build new learning facilities at Murray Bridge East after a $50,000 funding approval.
A project aimed at helping young Indigenous people get through their studies and into work has received $50,000 worth of state government funding.
Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Empowered Communities’ current back building will be upgraded into a learning facility by the end of this year.
The upgrade will be part of an integrated business education and cultural centre, and will build on pathways NREC is establishing for all Ngarrindjeri.
NREC chief operating officer Jarrod Manuel said the program would be a great opportunity for young students coming through school to have a clear pathway, especially with the number of businesses to which they would be connected.
“Our focus is to have a base here where students can come and we can run training programs and tutor, but we can also connect them down the track to employment opportunities,” he said.
There might be lessons that connected businesses wanted to pass on to students.
“We’re also looking at connections through to high performance in sport, and then there’s art and music mixed into that as well,” he said.
The structural build will have a similar footprint to NREC’s existing conference room, but half the size, with a multimedia space, desks and chairs.
The project is part of a broader plan to extend the back of the building and potentially provide a cafe area and cultural meeting space.
NREC chair Lawrie Rankine said training was a vital part of Ngarrindjeri directions.
“We know that education is important and employment is important to all the families to grow; they’re the areas we target,” he said.
The state government’s Thriving Regions Fund provides small grants to associations and charities for projects that build social resilience through facilitating greater community participation, a sense of belonging and ease of access.
Another 20 projects were also funded, with grants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said the program enabled regional groups to provide upgrades to further contribute to their local communities.
“I’m so pleased to see diverse projects that will help regional community groups create and maintain vibrant, resilient towns where people feel a sense of belonging and positive community spirit,” she said.
- More information about the Thriving Regions Fund: pir.sa.gov.au.
Moorundi gym will move to the east side
Another project soon to be underway in Murray Bridge is facility upgrades to an Aboriginal community health service.
Moorundi, located on Adelaide Road, will transfer their gym across to NREC’s shed located next to their offices.
“We’ll be upgrading the shed outside as well with separate funding, for the community and in conjunction with Moorundi,” Mr Manual said.
