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3 July 2020 manager access

The Joint Council to consider draft National Agreement on Closing the Gap

The Joint Council will consider the draft National Agreement on Closing the Gap today when it meets by teleconference this afternoon. This is the third meeting of the Joint Council.

The draft National Agreement has been negotiated between the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (Coalition of Peaks), all Australian governments and the Australian Local Government Association.

The Lead Convener of the Coalition of Peaks, Ms Pat Turner AM, and Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt MP, met this morning as Co-Chairs of the Joint Council ahead of the meeting.

The draft National Agreement has been built around what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people say is needed to help close the gap. These insights were gathered during community engagements led by the Coalition of Peaks late last year.

“The Coalition of Peaks are expecting that the Joint Council will be focused on getting the best National Agreement possible, one that will have the greatest impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Pat Turner AM, Lead Convener of the Coalition of Peaks; CEO of NACCHO and Co-Chair of the Joint Council.

Following the Joint Council’s consideration, the draft National Agreement is expected to be referred to the National Cabinet, the President of the Local Government Association and the Coalition of Peaks for approval before the end of July.

A communique from the Joint Council will be released once the meeting concludes this afternoon.

About the Joint Council

The Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap establishes a Joint Ministerial and Coalition of Peaks Council on Closing the Gap (Joint Council) with members from the Coalition of Peaks, a Minister from each state and territory government and the Commonwealth government, and a representative from the Australian Local Government Association.

Its role is to support national leadership, coordination and cooperation on Closing the Gap and provide advice to First Ministers, the President of Local of Government Association, and the Coalition of Peaks.

About the Coalition of Peaks

The Coalition of Peaks is a representative body of around fifty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled peak organisations and members. The Coalition of Peaks came together on their own as an act of self-determination to be formal partners with Australian governments on Closing the Gap.

Members are either national, state or territory wide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled peak bodies including certain independent statutory authorities. Their governing boards are elected by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and / or organisations.

For more information on the Coalition of Peaks and to sign up for our mailing list, go to: www.coalitionofpeaks.org.au

For media enquiries contact: Jo Scard on 0457 725 953 or ">
Julia Macerola on 0422 337 332 or ">

15 April 2020 manager access

Assistance Packages to Help Aboriginal Communities Impacted by Covid-19

Packages containing essential items like non-perishable foods and hygiene supplies will be provided to remote Aboriginal communities impacted by COVID-19 measures as part of a coordinated assistance effort by the NSW Government and NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC).

Aboriginal Affairs NSW Head Lil Gordon said the first tranche of packages – approximately 500 boxes – will commence delivery over the next week and would make an immediate impact to remote communities, where the nearest shops could be many kilometres away.

“We know that COVID-19 is impacting everyone across NSW, but we are also aware that there is an acute need in remote Aboriginal communities where access to basic food and hygiene supplies is challenging,” Ms Gordon said.

“We are working closely with a specially established Aboriginal Leadership Group to hear first-hand the challenges our communities are facing at this time and collaborate with our NSW Government partners to coordinate support and solutions to meet these challenges.”

Aboriginal Affairs NSW and Office of Emergency Management are working with the NSWALC to identify residents most in need and arrange the deliveries. Aboriginal people over 60 with Healthcare Concession Cards, who are living in communities particularly at risk of food security issues arising from COVID-19 measures, are eligible.

The partnership between NSW Government and NSWALC will continue to address critical food needs whilst these communities are being impacted by COVID19.

NSW ALC Chairperson Anne Dennis said the packages would provide some rapid relief to remote vulnerable Aboriginal communities.

“We’re working with local Aboriginal communities to ensure those most at risk and those most in need are delivered the food and hygiene packages, especially the elderly, frail, disabled and disadvantaged. By NSWALC partnering with the NSW Government, we’re able to give some meaningful assistance to the most at need in our most vulnerable communities,” Ms Dennis said.

“We are focusing on our Elders first and foremost, as they are our custodians of culture and truth, but there are more packages available and we encourage those vulnerable individuals in isolated communities to get in touch and find out if they can register for assistance.”

The assistance packages are part of a broader suite of tailored activities being undertaken by the NSW Government to support remote and vulnerable Aboriginal communities during this period.

More information, including details on how to register for the assistance package, is available at the NSWALC website – www.alc.org.au or by calling a new hotline on 1800 476 777, from 7am Tuesday 14 April 2020.

8 April 2020 manager access

Cancelled Camps

Due to the health crisis of the Covid-19 outbreak, our camps in Term 1 and 2 have had to be cancelled this year.

These are:

SHOW Bonny Hills 2^nd Camp – 29^th – 30^th April 2020 at The Francis Retreat, Bonnie Hills.
SHOW Albury, 5^th – 6^th May 2020 at the Great Aussie Holiday park, Albury.
Wiradjuri Language and Culture Camp, 14^th – 15^th May 2020 at Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre.
SHOW Narrabeen, 18^th – 19^th May 2020 at Narrabeen Sport and Recreation Centre.
STEM Lake Keepit, 28^th – 29^th May 2020 at Lake Keepit Sport and Recreation Centre.
Gamilaraay Language and Culture 2^nd Camp, 11^th – 12^th June 2020 at Lake Keepit Sport and Recreation Centre.
STEM Jindabyne, 18^th – 19^th June 2020 at Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre.

All schools that have expressed interest for these camps should have been notified through email, if you have not please contact Kyara Nean on ">

The NSW AECG will continually update information on the re-booking of these camps again in the future.

We are sorry for any in convenience, it is a very challenging time and we appreciate your understanding.

If anyone has any questions please contact Kyara Nean, "> or on 0468 602 138.

6 March 20204 March 2020 manager access

STEM Camp: Lake Keepit 28th – 29th May 2020

Lake Keepit: 28th – 29th May 2020
The NSW AECG Inc. in conjunction with the Department of Education’s, Aboriginal Education and Communities and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance (ATSIMA), the NSW AECG will be conducting a STEM Camp for Aboriginal students from Years 5 to 11. To commence the process, we are calling for Expressions of Interest from schools with Aboriginal students in the nominated years.

Download EOI

21 February 2020 manager access

STEM Camp: Jindabyne 18th – 19th June 2020

Jindabyne: 18th – 19th June 2020
The NSW AECG Inc. in conjunction with the Department of Education’s, Aboriginal Education and Communities and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance (ATSIMA), the NSW AECG will be conducting a STEM Camp for Aboriginal students from Years 5 to 11. To commence the process, we are calling for Expressions of Interest from schools with Aboriginal students in the nominated years.

Download EOI

19 February 2020 manager access

Narabeen SHOW Camp 2020

Narrabeen: 18th – 19th May 2020
The NSW AECG Inc. in conjunction with the Department of Education’s, Aboriginal Education and Communities and Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, the NSW AECG will be conducting a SHOW Camp for Aboriginal students from Years 5 to 11. To commence the process, we are calling for Expressions of Interest from schools with Aboriginal students in the nominated years.

Download EOI

11 February 2020 manager access

Language and Culture Camp 2020 – Wiradjuri

Wiradjuri: 14th – 15th May 2020

The NSW AECG Inc. in conjunction with the Department of Education’s, Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate will be conducting a Language and Culture Camp for Aboriginal students from Years 5 to 11 on Wiradjuri country. To commence the process, the NSW AECG Inc. is calling for Expressions of Interest from schools with Aboriginal students in the nominated years.

Spots fill up fast so please get EOIs in as soon as possible.

Download EOI

1 February 202031 January 2020 manager access

Albury SHOW Camp 2020

Albury: 5th – 6th May 2020
The NSW AECG Inc. in conjunction with the Department of Education’s, Aboriginal Education and Communities and Albury Basketball Association, the NSW AECG will be conducting a SHOW Camp for Aboriginal students from Years 5 to 11. To commence the process, we are calling for Expressions of Interest from schools with Aboriginal students in the nominated years.

Download EOI

31 January 202031 January 2020 manager access

Bonny Hills SHOW Camp 2020

Bonny Hills: 31st March – 1st April 2020
The NSW AECG Inc. in conjunction with the Department of Education’s, Aboriginal Education and Communities and Sydney Sixers will be conducting a SHOW Camp for Aboriginal students from Years 5 to 11. To commence the process, the NSW AECG Inc. is calling for Expressions of Interest from schools with Aboriginal students in the nominated years.
This camp is held in Term 1 so please get EOIs in as soon as possible.

Download EOI

30 January 202030 January 2020 manager access

Gamilaraay Language and Culture Camp 2020 – Lake Keepit

Lake Keepit: 30th – 31st March 2020
The NSW AECG Inc. in conjunction with the Department of Education’s, Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate will be conducting a Language and Culture Camp for Aboriginal students from Years 5 to 11 on Gamilaraay country. To commence the process, the NSW AECG Inc. is calling for Expressions of Interest from schools with Aboriginal students in the nominated years.
This camp is held in Term 1 so please get EOIs in as soon as possible.

Download EOI