Aboriginal-led organisations in the New England have secured more than half a million dollars in new funding to tackle domestic, family and sexual violence through a series of culturally grounded, trauma-informed initiatives.
The grants are part of a $3.8 million program jointly funded by the federal and state governments under the National Partnership Agreement for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence responses. The initiative supports 32 Aboriginal-led programs across New South Wales, with a strong focus on prevention, healing, and long-term safety.
Gunnedah-based Community News Hub Aboriginal Corporation will receive $150,000 to deliver a multimedia awareness campaign sharing Aboriginal survivor stories. The Stories of Strength project will involve story collection, digital content creation, community workshops and the promotion of culturally relevant resources aimed at building resilience and enhancing community safety.
Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation has also received $44,000 to deliver the Aboriginal Women Wellbeing Retreat in Gunnedah. The retreat is designed to support women who have experienced trauma or domestic violence through cultural and wellness activities such as weaving, yoga, and campfire gatherings, promoting connection and empowerment in a safe environment.
The Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council will deliver the Healing our Way program with $48,000 in funding. Their wellness retreats for Aboriginal women healing from domestic and family violence will include art therapy, breath-work, massage, sound healing, and yarning circles, supporting nervous system regulation, emotional recovery, and cultural connection.
Toomelah Gubura LTD has been awarded $150,000 to implement the ngaarr initiative at the small and historically extremely disadvanted community in the Moree Plains Shire. The program will deliver culturally safe support services and community awareness campaigns to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim-survivors. Activities will include training for service providers and workshops to enhance resilience and access to support.
Armidale-based Wallaby Indigenous Corporation will receive $150,000 for the Waratah Project, which will deliver services and support to Aboriginal people in the region who have experienced or are at risk of domestic, family and sexual violence. The initiative will promote wellbeing and community safety through place-based responses shaped by Aboriginal leadership.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said the funding reflected the Minns Government’s commitment to supporting Aboriginal-led services to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
“Domestic, family and sexual violence has no place in our communities, and these programs will help drive the change that will make New South Wales safer for everyone,” Minister Harrison said.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the funding would provide trauma-informed support to help Aboriginal women and children escape violence and heal.
“Several of these projects focus on early intervention because we know that working with and educating boys and men is crucial to ending gender-based violence in First Nations communities,” she said.
The projects are aligned with the First Action Plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, the upcoming NSW Aboriginal Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Plan, and both state and federal Closing the Gap implementation strategies.
The full list of recipients and more information about the Aboriginal Community Safety Grant 2025 is available at: nsw.gov.au.
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