New child and family centre opens on Tiwi Islands
The remote Tiwi Islands community of Wurrumiyanga has celebrated the official opening of a brand-new child and family centre.
The $12.4 million project, funded by the Federal Government through the Aboriginal Benefit Account, has been designed and delivered in close partnership with the Mantiyupwi people, the Traditional Owners of Bathurst Island.
The Pumulayu Child and Family Centre is designed to strengthen service coordination by providing a central point for Tiwi families to access local services, including early childhood development, youth support, family safety and gambling harm reduction.
Employment opportunities
In addition, the centre is expected to support local employment opportunities and build workforce capacity by employing and training locally based staff, ensuring services are community-driven and culturally informed.
Four local residents were employed full-time during the construction, and one has now transitioned into an apprenticeship program with SH Build.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.
The purpose-built, multi-functional facility includes indoor and outdoor spaces, family engagement and community gathering areas, as well as accommodation for visiting service providers to improve access and continuity in the remote location.
The Northern Territory Government committed $394,040 for the master plan and concept design for the Pumulayu Child and Family Centre, and $3 million over five years to establish and operate the centre.
“I am very excited for the people of Wurrumiyanga.” – Marion Scrymgour
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said the new centre would be a place for the Wurrumiyanga and wider Tiwi Islands community to come together and access services and support.
“It is a significant investment in delivering integrated, culturally appropriate services for children and families, while also creating opportunities for local jobs,” she said.
Accessing much needed services
And Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Marion Scrymgour said the beauty of Tiwi was the strength of our community.
“The Pumulayu Family Centre will be a place Tiwis can come together to access much needed services, but also to connect,” she said.
“If we are to continue strengthening the bush, we need to invest in our people and our infrastructure. This will have an immense impact for our people and work to coordinate services – I am very excited for the people of Wurrumiyanga.”
Chair of Mantiyupwi Family Trust, Jennifer Ullungura Clancy said the Pumulayu Children’s and Family Centre was the foundation stone to Mantiyupwi.
“Tackling our social development and economic empowerment programs for the benefit of not just Mantiyupwi Traditional Owners, but to meet our Traditional responsibility to lift up all Tiwi and non-Tiwi people living on our land,” she said.
