Closing the Gap: KEEDAC and SWAMS to share in $3.4m Aboriginal organisation grant

The State Government has announced that 16 Aboriginal organisations will receive a share of a $3.4m grant to support the delivery of community services with $250,000 going to organisations operating in Narrogin. Kaata-Koorliny Employment and Enterprise Development Aboriginal Corporation will receive about $100,000 and the South West Aboriginal Medical Service has been awarded $150,000 to fund early childhood care and development initiatives. “This important funding will help to support initiatives that empower Aboriginal people to deliver culturally appropriate services,” Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne said. “The work done by KEEDAC in Narrogin is so important for their people and this funding will be welcomed by these organisations.” Founded in 1998, KEEDAC provides a range of services to the Aboriginal community like the Strong Women, Strong Families program, Moordjitj yoka, moordjitj moort, that nurtures independence, resilience and growth. KEEDAC also provides services to Northam alongside lead agency Wanslea. Noongar community-controlled health organisation SWAMS provides access to Aboriginal health practitioners, doctor appointments and counselling to communities across WA’s lower half and has an outreach clinic on Federal Street in Narrogin. Aboriginal organisations were invited to apply for the grants in October 2022 with the WA Government partnering with Lotterywest to deliver on the Closing the Gap commitment to bring Aboriginal life outcomes in line with non-Aboriginal ones. “We know that Aboriginal community-controlled organisations will deliver services that achieve real impact,” Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti said. “I congratulate the recipients of these grants who continue to deliver key services for their communities. I am looking forward to seeing the positive changes that these vital community organisations can achieve.”