Photo caption: The Gunida Gunyah Community Services and Housing Hub is set for expansion thanks to more than $2 million in funding under the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program.

Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation will be able to expand its services, with the Australian Government providing more than $2 million for its facility upgrade and expansion.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has welcomed this funding which was announced this week under Round 1 of the Growing Regions Program.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to see that Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation has been awarded $2,181,534 for its Community Cultural Hub Project,” Mr Coulton said.

“Gunida Gunyah provides a wonderful service to the Gunnedah community, offering a range of programs and outreach services, in addition to housing support.

“This funding will enable Gunida Gunyah to expand its Hub, located in the CBD, to include a community meeting and workshop space, an exhibition centre, a café and functional kitchen, a gift shop, outdoor yarning circle, accessible bathrooms and laundry, a mural artwork on the building’s exterior and improvements to signage.

“These upgrades will create a dynamic community hub deeply rooted in the local Aboriginal culture that will help to meet the growing needs of the Gunnedah community.

“Demand for temporary accommodation and food hampers has increased as a result of the current cost-of-living crisis and the new facilities, particularly the new kitchen, bathrooms and laundry, will support vulnerable individuals and families who are in need of a meal or a place to shower.

“Although the announcement of successful applicants for the Growing Regions Program was delayed by more than two months, I’m very thankful to Infrastructure Minister Catherine King for recognising the importance of this worthwhile project.”

Gunida Gunyah CEO Jane Bender said the upgrade will have a significant impact on the Gunnedah community, enhancing their services to meet a growing community need.

“We’re lost for words; this is such a positive investment into our community,” Ms Bender said.

“Our client intake has increased by 1,000 per cent since we moved into this space in the CBD. We have approximately 900 walk-ins a month from people looking for some form of support and we provide 49 food hampers a week.

“This grant enables us to extend our Hub, creating a more relaxed environment that will ultimately enhance the experience of our clients, boosting social inclusion and our service provision.

“By incorporating a cafe, giftshop, exhibition space, and workshops, we aim to create a vibrant hub that promotes cultural awareness, economic empowerment, and community connection.

“We wouldn’t be able to do this for many years if we didn’t get this grant.”

Gunida Gunyah is one of five recipients of Round 1 of the Growing Regions Program from the Parkes electorate. The other successful applicants include:

• Brewarrina Shire Council – $10,069,524 for the Brewarrina PCYC – Youth Hub and Indoor Sports Centre
• Moree Plains Shire Council – $9,641,761 for the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre Redevelopment
• Dubbo Regional Council – $7,190,505 for the Wiradjuri Cultural Tourism Centre and Keeping Place
• Narrabri Shire Council – $1,483,112 for Narrabri Shire Tourism and Cultural Precinct – Stages 2 and 3

The Growing Regions Program provides funding to local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations for capital works projects that deliver community and economic infrastructure projects across regional and rural Australia.

For more information on the Growing Regions Program, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/regional-australia/regional-and-community-programs/growing-regions-program