Funding to bring Australians together
Thursday, 6 November 2008 - Released by Laurie Ferguson MP
The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, today announced over a million dollars in community relations funding for projects that promote community participation.
Community relations funding is provided annually to not-for-profit organisations to conduct projects which address local issues of cultural or racial intolerance.
'The community organisations that have received funding will use a range of strategies from traditional story telling to digital media to bring people together,' said Mr Ferguson.
'The funded projects will involve a cross-section of the Australian community and have a particular focus on young people, including those from Indigenous, African and Pacific Islander backgrounds.
'A project in Deception Bay will involve Indigenous elders and Pacific Islander chiefs in teaching young people about each other’s cultures through story telling and ceremonies, and help them resolve misunderstanding and conflict.
'Another project in Port Pirie, South Australia will bring together young Indigenous men with older men from the local Italian fishing community to work on the restoration of a heritage listed boat. In Tamworth, TAFE and the Country Women’s Association will help digitally record the stories of local Sudanese families.
'The Australian community has been inspirational in their ideas to address instances of cultural intolerance and to promote mutual understanding and acceptance,' said Mr Ferguson.
The twenty-nine successful applicants will receive amounts up to $50 000 to conduct their projects over the coming year. In August, a total of more than $260 000 was awarded for fifty-six additional projects under the inaugural ‘small grants’ program.
Mr Ferguson said that there had been an unprecedented response this year to the community relations funding round, with almost a doubling of applications received.
'This tremendous response indicates a greater awareness of the programs we offer, and a genuine desire in the community to foster a sense of belonging for all Australians,' added the Parliamentary Secretary.
A full list of the successful 2008 Community Relations Funded Projects can be found at http://www.harmony.gov.au/
Media Contact: Sarah Gestier-Garstang - 0432 283 020
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08065.htm
Last update: 05 March 2012 at 16:27 AEST