Jawoyn take up the Itinerants challenge

We believe for the first time we’ve got the three tiers of government and NGOs (non government organisations) like the Jawoyn absolutely involved in this on a basis that is fair dinkum. For the first time in many, many years we are very positive we are going to make some progress.

Mr Pierce

"To ensure that progress is made, the Jawoyn Association has initiated consultations with the Commonwealth on a proposal to re-direct welfare payments.

Removing the opportunity for entire cheques to be spent on alcohol and other substance abuse is regarded as a step in the right direction, allowing women and children the opportunity to purchase necessary home items.

It will remove the ability for people to consume their entire cheque on alcohol … it’s attempting to ensure kids get fed, Mr Pierce said.

The Jawoyn Association is under no illusions about the enormity of the task confronting it and other organisations involved in the project. Implementing the completed strategy will not be restricted to the town of Katherine itself.

It is a regional project, it is not Katherine-centric, and I think we are going to make some progress. There is a fair bit of pressure on to get some runs on the board. Mr Pierce said.

It is something the Jawoyn Association and other Aboriginal groups in the Katherine region have wanted to see for some time, and it’s also a viewpoint that’s been taken up by a whole lot of community groups. The attitude and the drive in it is very positive, Mr Pierce said.

The Harmony Project forms part of the Itinerants Project launched by the NLC, ATSIC, the NT Government, Larrakia Nation and others in 2002. After providing start-up funding for the project, the NT Government allocated $5.25 million in this year’s May Budget to expand the project into regional areas.ch terrific workers that some have been given full-time ringing work on Auvergne Station.