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Work to start on Yuendumu Peace Park
Dom .Barry (L) of the Indigenous All Stars plays football with schoolchildren as members of the Indigenous All Stars visit Yuendumu School. Image: Zimbio.com
supplied by Sen. Scullion’s office 1 April 2014
W
ork to build a peace park at Yuendumu in the Northern Territory is expected to start early next month, providing employment for local Aboriginal people and a much-needed community facility. Funding of $228,902 for the Yuendumu Peace Park was approved under the Australian Government’s Community Development Fund last year. The grant was provided to the Central Desert Shire Council. Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said the peace park will provide a range of benefits for the Yuendumu community.
“The Yuendumu Peace Park will be a custom-designed gathering and ‘talking place’ that is culturallyrelevant and meaningful to local families in the community,” Minister Scullion said. “It will include seating and shade areas and playground equipment for children of all ages. “The Yuendumu community has recently overcome community unrest, violence and regular feuding between clan members which started in 2010. The peace park will be a way to bring community members together by providing a neutral and peaceful venue for gatherings and a place for people to spend time with family and children.” Minister Scullion said that during the development phase, the project
will provide up to 25 job seekers from the Yuendumu community with skills and experience working in site development, design, landscaping and building. “Not only will this project provide a wonderful community asset for Yuendumu, it will be a valuable source for jobs and training for local Aboriginal people,” Minister Scullion said. “The skills that people working on this project obtain will help them to take up further employment opportunities in the region.” The Community Development Fund provides funding to organisations to deliver projects that support social and economic development and participation in remote communities.
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