Funding boost for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander projects

A weekly pop-up food bank in Redfern and a program to help local Elders visit Country are among 11 local projects awarded more than $450,000 in cash and value-in-kind funding by the City of Sydney.

The City of Sydney’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collaboration fund prioritises projects led by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers and community-controlled organisations that meet the needs and aspirations of the local community.

First Nations Response will receive $50,000 cash funding and more than $5,000 in free venue hire to continue to regularly provide pantry items to more than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at Redfern Community Centre and deliver to local Elders.

“First Nations Response is a grassroots organisation led by Aboriginal women founded during the Covid lockdown era to provide culturally appropriate support and urgent food relief to inner west and inner-city mobs through pop-up food banks,” First Nations Response co-founder Coral Lever said.

“As Aboriginal women, mothers and aunties, we are inspired by our ancestors and those who have preceded us to bring about positive changes in the communities in which we live and have longstanding cultural ties.

“We believe that food is a right and not a privilege. We want to maintain a space where mob can reach out for assistance with no questions asked and no shame.

“Covid exposed food insecurity as a serious issue for our communities, however we know that it existed before Covid and has continued after it, so we take the pressure off community by providing nutritious free food and connection.”

A grant of more than $30,000 will go to Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care Program, an organisation that provides tailored, culturally appropriate services to Elders in their homes, to support NAIDOC Week celebrations.

NAIDOC Week’s 2023 theme is For Our Elders and Wyanga is planning a morning tea for the community and Elders where Aboriginal aged care providers will share information about their services. The organisation is also planning an Elders brunch on Sydney Harbour and the opportunity for Elders living in inner Sydney to return to Country in northern and southern NSW.

“The majority of our Elders reside alone in public housing, never getting the chance to return to the country town where they were born,” Wyanga CEO Roslyn Silva-Blair said.

“This return to Country would give them the opportunity to meet up with family and friends. Wyanga will also be organising stops along the way with other community organisations, community barbecues and visits to other Aboriginal providers.

“Few of our Elders get out into the community and this will give them the opportunity to socialise and catch up with Elders from other areas.

“Our Elders are very excited about the prospect of socialising and travelling.”

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collaboration fund is open year-round, with up to $50,000 cash funding, including $5,000 for capital expenditure or equipment purchases, plus venue hire fee waivers available.

“Established in 2022, this fund is open year-round and supports important local projects led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations,” Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing these initiatives come to fruition in the coming months and beyond.”

Applicants are encouraged to contact the grants team to discuss projects before making a pitch. Support is available for applicants requiring additional assistance to complete an application.

Regular information sessions for potential applicants are held in the local area.

Visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community-support-funding/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-collaboration-fund to find out more.

For media enquiries, contact Roxanne Macara. Phone 0438 554 640 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, phone 02 8974 4165 or email [email protected]