An Aboriginal corporation will be given millions of dollars from the federal government to help secondary students and families in Northern Western Australia.
Announced on Saturday, the Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation will be receiving $3.1 million from the Albanese government to operate a boarding facility in Derby, which will accommodate around 40 Indigenous students and families.
The existing Aboriginal Hostels Limited site in Derby will be renovated in order to house the new center.
The Western Australian government will be funding an additional facility for short term accommodation for flood affected families.
This will give Emana Nguda the time to plan the transition into the new facility, so it’s ready to house students throughout the school week by 2024.
The federal government says funding from the commonwealth and the Western Australian government will allow for the “best use of the Derby hostel space” and continue to provide education to First Nations students.
Senator for Western Australia Patrick Dodson says the new facility will lead to better educational outcomes for students in the area.
“Investing in Emama Nguda is investing in supporting kids from all over the Kimberley region to have a home away from home, encouraging them to more regularly attend school,” he said.
“The Derby Hostel is a good facility to repurpose for this project and it’s great to see the Western Australian Government also investing to double it up as short-term accommodation for flood-affected communities while the boarding facility gets on its feet.”
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney says the Emana Nguda Corporation plays an important role in the Kimberly Region.
“This investment over three school years will give Aboriginal students attending Derby District High School a primary residence and provide supports to help them thrive at school.”
