A new toilet and shower block will soon be built at Trelawney Station thanks to a $250,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Community and Place Grants Program, ensuring that the facilities on site meet the growing demand and use of the on-farm facilities by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said Trelawney Station was a fantastic asset for the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council and the new amenities block would build on facilities like the conference centre, accommodation facilities, outdoor education space, yarning circle and working shearing shed.

“Trelawny Station is so important for our region, particularly when it comes to the range of cultural, recreational and educational programs offered to local Aboriginal youth,” Mr Anderson said.

“These programs build connection to country while also providing important employment pathways and development opportunities and it’s so important that we continue to build the facilities needed to grow the possibilities at Trelawney.”

Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Fiona Snape said the facility upgrades would give the land council an opportunity to expand

“Tamworth LALC are excited as the facilities will benefit the programs that are run from Trelawney which provide access to Country, strengthen and reinforce young people’s sense of identity within their Aboriginal culture, provide exposure to mentors from across the community, provide cultural practice opportunities and deliver employment and training pathways programs.” Ms Snape said.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the Community and Place funding program is delivering tangible local benefit and impact to Aboriginal communities against Closing the Gap targets, while also recognising that Aboriginal communities have the solutions to issues in their community.

“The Community and Place funding program delivers opportunities and improvements to the local community by putting funding in the hands of Aboriginal groups who know their area best,” Mr Franklin said.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government knows that by investing in local community initiatives we will significantly increase the likelihood of NSW achieving our targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.”