By JONATHON HOWARD
THE Granite Belt indigenous community has taken the first steps towards the formation of an indigenous corporation based in Stanthorpe.
The Granite Belt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group will focus on indigenous health, aged care, housing, youth and cultural awareness programs.
A group of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and Community Development Services worker Diane Mitchell, said they hope the formation of the reference group will give the indigenous community more of a voice in local government.
“This is a service that is needed in our community,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“We’re hoping the group will inspire youth to become more involved and will also serve as a community hub for indigenous people within the area.”
The reference group hopes to secure a permanent location in which to operate and assist the Grantie Belt’s more than 100 indigenous school students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
An upcoming function for the group this year will be the celebration of NAIDOC Week from 7-14 July.
This builds on the successful inaugural event held last year for NAIDOC week that took place at Stanthorpe’s Art on Davadi.
“This year’s NAIDOC will be a week of activities held across the Granite Belt, in the community and the local schools, culminating in a sharing of indigenous culture with the wider community held at the civic centre supper room on 12 July,” Mrs Mitchell said.
The events on the night will include live dance, and hip-hop performance from a local indigenous artist.
There will also be art activities and displays by local indigenous visual artists.
The reference group is holding a membership sign-up day taking place at Community Development Services Corundum Street Stanthorpe on 19 May from 11am.
Visitors are welcome to become members of the group, or if you are unable to attend please contact Maria De Vries on 0478 573 208 or Diane Mitchell at CDS on 4681 3777.
