News

Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA) is working in partnership with welfare organisations, community groups and various levels of government to address Indigenous inequality in health, education and employment outcomes. Funding is being directed to programs that address long term disadvantage, such as education and social support programs in remote and rural areas of Australia.

Indigenous Australians are more likely to suffer from low income, unemployment, lack of education, poor housing, substance abuse, high infant mortality rates and family violence than non-indigenous Australians (1). Currently, there is a 17 year gap between the life expectancy of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Significant gaps also exist in education and employment outcomes (2).

Nationally, 43% oall Indigenous Australians aged 15-64 years were not in the labour force in 2006, due to reasons including carer responsibilities, illness, disability or lack of market opportunities. This compares with 24% othe non-Indigenous population in the same age group (3).

MWIA is able to support a range of new initiatives aimed at "closing the gap" thanks to our growing list of generous partners and supporters, most recently, The Flatley Foundation.

The Flatley Foundation was set up by Tom Flatley - an Irish-born businessman and philanthropist. The Foundation funds Christian organisations that contribute to the education, health and well-being of children and young people. Patricia Flatley and the Flatley Foundation have made a large donation to the Loreto Sisters that will be managed and distributed by MWIA.

 Some of the new projects funded include a university resource centre, women's crisis shelter and children's libraries in Vietnam, early childcare facilities in East Timor and Centacare's OutBack Pitstop Project in Bourke, a remote town in NSW.

OutBack Pitstop was recently established by Centacare with the goal of engaging disadvantaged young Aboriginal men in vocational training and constructive work. It aims to provide them with training and skills development, and open pathways for future employment.

The project aims to equip young men (many of whom have been in detention) with a trade for future employment by developing a sustainable mechanics workshop. Opportunities need to be created for young people, particularly young men, to engage in constructive activities. Being behind the wheel of a car is seen as symbolic of being a man. OutBack Pitstop provides the opportunity to be "behind the wheel" as a positive learning experience.

MWIA is supporting this project in partnership with Centacare, Bourke TAFE, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Funding will go towards purchasing car parts for the reconditioning and maintenance of two cars so they can be made roadworthy and used by participants for driving practice, in view of gaining their driver's license. Local elders are involved by providing general mentoring of participants and supporting positive transitions to manhood.

The positive effect that education has on an individual's economic outcomes, particularly employment and income, has been well established. Having a rewarding job and stable income improves an individual's chances of not only leading a healthy life, but having the financial resources to seek medical help for themselves and their family when ill (3). It is hoped that OutBack Pitstop will motivate these young men to engage in training, to learn a trade, and become employable. They will be encouraged to take leadership roles in the management of the project and will have constant input into its ongoing development.

For further information about MWIA projects, volunteering opportunities or how to make a donation, please visit the Loreto Sisters website: www.loreto.org.au

References

1.  Ring of Fire, JPIC Australia newsletter, July 2010,  http://www.loreto.org.au/works/justice.html

2.   "Eyes on the election" bulletins CLRI(NSW) Social Justice Committee www.clrinsw.org

 3. Australian Human Rights Commission http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/statistics/index.html