The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government will help more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian children succeed by investing more than $50 million in the Clontarf Foundation for its academies across Australia.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is thrilled with the additional support, which he believes will help more young Indigenous boys in his electorate realise their full potential.

“I am a keen advocate for the work of Clontarf academies, having spoken about the not-for-profit organisation in Parliament on a number of occasions. I have also fought hard to secure necessary funding for Clontarf to continue and grow its important work,” Mr Coulton said.

“In the Parkes electorate we have Clontarf academies in Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Coonamble, Dubbo, Moree, Narrabri and Narromine. Through the vehicle of Australian Rules and/or Rugby League, young Indigenous men are being supported to attend and finish school, find a job or undertake further education.

“I have witnessed Clontarf’s success firsthand – it has been a great privilege to get to know some of the young men who have progressed through the academies, to see their self-esteem grow and to witness their great potential evolve.

“Getting children to attend school and complete their education is a priority for the Liberal and Nationals Government, and it is programs such as Clontarf that achieve these outcomes.”

The $50 million investment through to 2023 will ensure 10,500 Indigenous school students receive comprehensive support through Clontarf academies across Australia, including in the Parkes electorate.

The Coalition Government has also announced a further investment of $2.5 million to support the Clontarf Foundation’s Health Project for a further 12 months. The Health Project implements of a range of activities including facilitating Medicare health checks, organising health and wellbeing sessions, and training staff in mental health first-aid.

Funding for the Clontarf Foundation is part of the $200 million Indigenous Education Package funded through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

The support for Clontarf is complemented by more than $50 million in helping Indigenous girls to attend and finish school, as well as funding for Indigenous scholarship programs.

Photo Caption (L-R): Gerard Neesham, Clontarf Foundation CEO, Col Hardy, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, and Ross Kelly, Clontarf Foundation Chairman, with three Clontarf representatives, on a visit to Bourke in 2017.