The remote community of Yuendumu has celebrated the opening of a refurbished recreation hall, providing children and young people with a safe place to connect, learn and take part in youth programs.
Located on the edge of the Tanami Desert, 300 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs, Yuendumu is home to the Warlpiri and Anmatyerr people. The hall, owned by the Yuendumu Social Club Aboriginal Corporation, is expected to play a vital role in delivering services and youth activities.
"I'm so happy. To see the Rec Hall finally open and all the children here – [it] is worth it," Yuendumu Social Club Aboriginal Corporation Director Elizabeth Lechleitner said.
"The weather is starting to warm up again too, so it is just in time for summer and the Youth Program has a safe space to run their activities."
Fellow Director Walter Lechleitner shared her excitement: "It's great to finally see the Rec Hall open again. It's an exciting time — to see all the children come here to play together, including my grandchildren."
Since it opened this week, the hall has played host to basketball, cricket and footy, and has seen up to 70 young people per night attending.
The federal government contributed $615,000 to refurbish the previously condemned building, after residents identified it as a priority for redevelopment. The project also created local job opportunities, with community members working alongside construction and maintenance staff to develop new skills.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the reopening shows the impact of collaboration.
"This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when governments and communities work together," she said.
The NT Senator added the project "responded directly to community needs for services and employment opportunities that provide positive social and community wellbeing outcomes."
"This space will now be a hub for youth engagement and service delivery," she said.
Labor's Special Envoy for Remote Communities and Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, said access to services in Central Australia remains a "constant challenge".
"The vastness of the region, combined with English often being a second or third language, means people often struggle to get into the bigger towns like Alice Springs," she said.
"Our government is committed to bringing services to the people, and the renovated Yuendumu recreation hall will help ensure services are easier to access in the remote community."
