The Andrews Labor Government is boosting support for local Aboriginal organisations, creating jobs and ensuring we can all recover strongly from the global pandemic together.
Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan MP and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP announced $700,625 for Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-Operative today as part of the $40 million Aboriginal Workforce Fund, which has begun rolling out this month to create jobs and boost services when they’re needed the most.
BDAC has received a boost from the Andrews Labor Government to help it recover from the impacts of the pandemic and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Greater Bendigo region.
BDAC is just one of 44 organisations across Victoria that have already received a total of $11.2 million in funding under the first round of the Aboriginal Workforce Fund.
The Aboriginal Workforce Fund supports upskilling, training, worker health and wellbeing, organisational capability building, and extra staff to assist service delivery.
The Victorian Aboriginal Social Recovery Advisory Group, consisting of key Aboriginal leaders and CEOs from local and state-wide Aboriginal organisations, was convened to guide the fund design, priorities and approach.
The remainder of the fund to strengthen organisational and workforce capability will be allocated in 2021/22.
Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan MP
“The Aboriginal Workforce Fund gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Greater Bendigo the chance to lead their own priorities and rebuild after the pandemic.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP
“We want to ensure Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-Operative can create a stronger workforce, to better serve the Greater Bendigo Aboriginal community – and this has never been more important after the year we just had.”