Following its success in the Western New South Wales communities of Wilcannia, Bourke and Enngonia, the Literacy for Life Foundation is bringing their innovative adult literacy campaign to Brewarrina and Walgett.
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton was delighted to be a part of the Foundation’s launch held at the Ngunnhu traps (Fish traps) in Brewarrina today.
Under the Australian Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS), the Foundation will receive $600,000 over 3 years to assist with rolling out its adult literacy campaign in Brewarrina and Walgett.
Mr Coulton expressed his gratitude to the Foundation for its passion in delivering the ‘Yes I Can’ model of adult literacy to communities across Western New South Wales.
“This proven model produces outcomes on a number of levels for these local communities,” Mr Coulton said.
“It engenders community support, provides training and employment for facilitators and coordinators, and delivers literacy courses to members of the public.”
Mr Coulton indicated that projects such as the Foundation’s campaign can be life changing for many Aboriginal people in these communities.
“By bringing this campaign to Brewarrina now, and then Walgett next year, it is giving the Aboriginal people in these communities a chance; a chance that they may not have otherwise had,” Mr Coulton said.
“Basic literacy skills are a fundamental part of our everyday lives and something that I think a lot of us take for granted. We must not forget that there are people, particularly in remote communities, that for one reason or another cannot access facilities in order to learn and develop these skills.
“Once people gain access to these skills, their whole lives can change. Their confidence and self-esteem is boosted, employment opportunities become a reality and they can then pass on these basic literacy skills to their children and grandchildren.”
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion, said that the Foundation’s campaign is one of over 1,350 projects throughout Australia that form the Government’s $1 billion investment in the IAS.
“The Government’s investment in the IAS shows that our Government is honouring its commitment to provide longer funding agreements for important frontline services for indigenous communities across Australia,” Minister Scullion said.
Further information about the Literacy for Life Foundation can be found on its website http://www.lflf.org.au/.
Media Contacts
Mr Coulton: Amy Welham 0448 477 830
Minister Scullion: Jan Le Maitre 0477 721 360
