Barrinang has received $99,907 towards their Soothing the Soul – Bundadhaany Girbang (Many Artists) project through the NSW Government’s inaugural Community and Place funding program Paul Toole MP has announced.
The first round of the landmark Community and Place Grants Program will provide $20.5 million in funding across the State to solutions-focused projects that immediately engage and benefit Aboriginal communities.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the funding will deliver real benefits to the Lithgow community.
“I’m delighted that Barrinang can now get on with training locals in Indigenous art techniques so a community exhibition can be held celebrating this culture,” Mr Toole said.
“Barrinang have received such a positive response to previous events and this funding will allow for more opportunities for local young people to gather and nurture their talents.”
Barrinang Incorporated will deliver a number of Aboriginal art and craft projects to the local community including both children’s and adults’ art, photography and digital art, Aboriginal art, language, coolamon and weaving workshops. Following these workshops Barrinang will host two exhibitions including food and entertainment for the community.
Barrinang member Judith Harding said the word Barrinang is a Wiradjuri word for blossom of the wattle.
“Just as the golden wattle flower breaks from the seemingly dead branches, so too can people come forward to shine and be their healthiest, best selves,” Ms Harding said.
“We would like to thank Aboriginal Affairs and the NSW Government for believing in us and granting us this funding, mandaang guwu (thank you).
“We will work hard to use this grant to its fullest to support the community.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the Community and Place funding program is delivering tangible local benefit and impact to Aboriginal communities against Closing the Gap targets, while also recognising that Aboriginal communities have the solutions to issues in their community.
“This is a terrific and unique program that will put important funding in the hands of Aboriginal groups who best know how to bring about improvements and opportunities for their community,” Mr Franklin said.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government knows that by investing in local community initiatives we will significantly increase the likelihood of NSW achieving our targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.”
For more information on the Community and Place grant program and to view the list of successful grant applications, visit the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website.
