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YAL Indigenous Girls Academy in Cairns secures $1 Million Federal Government grant

Announcement posted by YAL 02 Jun 2017

• Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion and Hon Warren Entsch MP support Indigenous Girls’ project in Cairns. • Federal Government $1 million grant for the development of the Kaziew Rangath Academy at YAL facility Tropicana Lodge Cairns. • Indig

The Young Australia League has welcomed today’s news that the Coalition Government will provide $1 million to establish the Kaziew Rangath Academy (“A Child’s Journey”) for young Indigenous women in Far North Queensland.

The investment forms part of the $138 million education package announced by the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, last week, and aligns with this week’s National Reconciliation Week which is a time to recognise the value of partnerships that are working to Close the Gap.

YAL Chairman Frank Schaper said the academy will focus on students' physical, mental, academic and spiritual growth, with a strong support network and academic team so that each student will achieve their potential.  

 

“YAL is grateful for the support of the Federal Government, and in particular Minister Scullion and Warren Entsch, who have helped ensure the Kaziew Rangath academy will help to change lives and give the indigenous girls from Far North Queensland a chance to shine,” Mr Schaper said.

 

  

The Kaziew Rangath Academy will open in January 2018 and give girls who live in Far North Queensland an opportunity to live on site at Tropicana Lodge and attend local schools while also pursuing other sporting and social opportunities.

 

The Academy will be a home away from home with support services being brought in to help the students adjust to their new environment without losing their cultural roots and connection to country.

 

Funds from the Federal Government to the program will allow for a total upgrade of the current facilities at Tropicana Lodge and ensure the first intake of students has access to first-class programs and facilities.

 

The Academy will see YAL partner with Cairns Hockey Association. Julie McNeil, Operations Manager at Cairns Hockey Association, said Cairns Hockey Aspire to be Deadly is excited to partner with YAL and Tropicana Lodge to develop further sporting opportunities for indigenous young women and girls across Far North Queensland. The Aspire Sporting Academy will offer world class mentoring and pathways support to these young women on and off the field to support their education and pathway in life. Cairns Hockey Aspire to be Deadly is confident that the partnership with YAL and Tropicana Lodge will increase opportunities and provide a positive future for indigenous young women and girls in the region and beyond.”

 

Kaziew Rangath has been developed over the last 3 years by YAL Tropicana Lodge management team lead by Aaron and Jenine Keatley. “Throughout the last 10 years at Tropicana Lodge we have had a number of indigenous clients stay with us who have expressed a need for the development of the young women living in the Far North. Kaziew Rangath Academy has been created with careful consulting with a number of different organisations and Indigenous Elders. The young women from the Far North deserve to have a world class facility to help them reach their potential. Kaziew Rangath will fill that role.” 

 

 

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Media Contact:       Tammy-Rae Schaper (YAL) – 0412386612

                                    Julie McNeil (CHA) 0418880147