The Australian government is providing $3.1 million to the Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation to operate a boarding facility for around 40 Indigenous secondary school students and families from Derby and surrounding areas, it was announced Saturday.
The existing Aboriginal Hostels Limited site in Derby will be renovated to facilitate the new centre.
The Western Australian government is providing additional funding so the vacant hostel can operate as short-term housing for flood-affected families in 2023. This decision was made in agreement with community leaders and Elders and will see the WA government support start-up and operational costs of the residential facility through a separate contribution towards capital upgrades this year.
This will allow Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation (ENAC) time during the rest of 2023 to undertake planning work in preparation for the transition of the facility to a functioning boarding facility, ready for secondary students to reside there during the school week from 2024.
The federal government said funding from both Commonwealth and WA governments will allow for the "best use of the Derby Hostel space" while investing in better education outcomes for First Nations children, in pursuit of key targets under the National Agreement for Closing the Gap.
The funding announced Saturday complements the recent launch of additional funding under the Australian government's Closing the Gap Implementation Plan for $38.4 million to boost on-country education for remote First Nations students nationwide.
Senator for Western Australia Patrick Dodson said is a high demand for services from Derby and surrounding communities to support disengaged secondary school students to access and engage with education.
"Investing in Emama Nguda is investing in supporting kids from all over the Kimberley region to have a home away from home, encouraging them to more regularly attend school," he said.
"The Derby Hostel is a good facility to repurpose for this project and it's great to see the Western Australian Government also investing to double it up as short-term accommodation for flood-affected communities while the boarding facility gets on its feet."
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said the Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation "plays such an important role in the Kimberley region, driving community led solutions and supporting children and young people".
"This investment over three school years will give Aboriginal students attending Derby District High School a primary residence and provide supports to help them thrive at school."
