Published Tuesday, 25 November, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Fund to help young Indigenous Queenslanders close the educational gap
Minister for Communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Youth Lindy Nelson-Carr has today launched a new multi-million dollar fund set to raise the educational bar for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.
“The new Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation will support up to 100 scholarships a year valued at up to $20,000 per student,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“With start-up funding of close to $26 million, it represents a real opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to close the educational gap on their non-Indigenous peers,” she said.
The foundation is being established with funding of $10.8 million from the former Aborigines Welfare Fund and $15 million from unspent funds from the Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme.
Formally launched at a function at Parliament House this afternoon, the foundation’s advisory board with significant Indigenous representation was also announced by the Minister.
“I am really pleased by the level of expertise and skill that each advisor brings to the board,” said the Minister.
“I am sure they will add greatly to the foundation’s success.”
The seven Queenslanders appointed to the board are: Chairwoman Cindy Shannon, Leann Wilson, Sione Fa’Aoso, Kerrin Anderson, John Goddard, Nereda White and Thelma Gertz.
Funds are expected to be distributed in partnership with organisations already managing successful Indigenous educational initiatives.
Ms Nelson-Carr said schools and universities would be among the organisations asked to recruit and select the scholarship students.
“We will be seeking private and corporate sponsorship to boost the fund and increase the number of young people the foundation can assist.
“I would also like to acknowledge the previous generations of Indigenous Queenslanders who laboured under past control laws and policies, too often under-paid and unfairly dealt with. This foundation is built on their efforts.
”It will help deal with some of the negative legacies of the past and will undoubtedly create a positive legacy for the future by creating better opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.”
For more information contact the Department of Communities on 13 13 04 or visit www.atsip.qld.gov.au and www.reconciliation.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office 3235 4280
“The new Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation will support up to 100 scholarships a year valued at up to $20,000 per student,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“With start-up funding of close to $26 million, it represents a real opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to close the educational gap on their non-Indigenous peers,” she said.
The foundation is being established with funding of $10.8 million from the former Aborigines Welfare Fund and $15 million from unspent funds from the Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme.
Formally launched at a function at Parliament House this afternoon, the foundation’s advisory board with significant Indigenous representation was also announced by the Minister.
“I am really pleased by the level of expertise and skill that each advisor brings to the board,” said the Minister.
“I am sure they will add greatly to the foundation’s success.”
The seven Queenslanders appointed to the board are: Chairwoman Cindy Shannon, Leann Wilson, Sione Fa’Aoso, Kerrin Anderson, John Goddard, Nereda White and Thelma Gertz.
Funds are expected to be distributed in partnership with organisations already managing successful Indigenous educational initiatives.
Ms Nelson-Carr said schools and universities would be among the organisations asked to recruit and select the scholarship students.
“We will be seeking private and corporate sponsorship to boost the fund and increase the number of young people the foundation can assist.
“I would also like to acknowledge the previous generations of Indigenous Queenslanders who laboured under past control laws and policies, too often under-paid and unfairly dealt with. This foundation is built on their efforts.
”It will help deal with some of the negative legacies of the past and will undoubtedly create a positive legacy for the future by creating better opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.”
For more information contact the Department of Communities on 13 13 04 or visit www.atsip.qld.gov.au and www.reconciliation.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s Office 3235 4280