Visiting Minyerri in the Northern Territory to talk about training and leadership

Jess had a great meeting with Nerrale, AAC CEO.

Jess and Victor (newly appointed Sport and Recreation Officer)

After four cancelled trips during the COVID-19 craziness, Senior Community Development Officer Jess finally made it out to Minyerri, a small Northern Territory community with approximately 600 residents. 

The purpose of the trip was to meet with Alawa Aboriginal Corporation's (AAC) CEO, Nerrale, to learn more about their community, goals, and how we could assist them.

They are seeking support on a couple of projects, including mentorship and skills development for their newly appointed Sport and Recreation Officer, Victor, who is already doing an amazing job working with the local kids. 

"I was invited to spend a few hours with Victor whilst he ran the afterschool activities on the basketball court and footy oval. I helped Victor organise some running races with the kids, and then we finished the afternoon with a game of footy," Jess, Senior Community Development Officer. 

We have a potential and very talented Community First Development volunteer who is keen to provide mentorship, training, and upskilling to Victor. He will likely support the project remotely before travelling to Minyerri within the next few months. 

We also have a community leadership and management development program in the works! We hope to share more about this project soon. 

''We seek empowerment and opportunity for local people to get the best jobs and a sustainable long-term future for the community and its people.  Through leadership and management support, we can build local capacity for our people and provide the best employment opportunities for local people, including school leavers" - Dale, AAC Community Development Program Manager. 

''It is the personal development of our people that is the key aspect in support of our aspirations toward a stronger and more sustainable community.''- Nerrale, AAC CEO. 

Alawa Aboriginal Corporation delivers a range of services to the Minyerri Community, including age care, NDIS, school nutrition program, playgroup, after school, municipal, night patrol, and Centrelink. They operate several self-funded business operations and grant-funded programs, all aimed at delivering essential services to the residents and businesses of Minyerri. Their focus in all their operations is on providing social outcomes to their community in a sustainable way. 

If you're curious to learn more about AAC, visit their website here: https://www.alawa.org.au/  

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