MAARI Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation has received a $32,000 State Government grant to go towards a series of events in early March.
The organisation was successful in the funding application to Women NSW for activities as part of Women’s Week this year.
Maari Ma CEO, Richard Weston, thanked New South Wales Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, for the money that’ll will go towards activities spread across four communities under the title Because of Her, We Can: Health and Wellbeing in far west NSW
“We are pleased to be able to celebrate the important role that women play in our families and communities,” he said.
“We are planning to run events for Aboriginal women and girls in Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee and Balranald during Women’s Week, which will be held from March 2 to 8.
“The focus at each event will be health and wellbeing, with information on health checks and screening.
“A healthy lunch will be provided, and women will receive pampering and some giveaways, particularly for our elders.”
Indigenous educator Kylie Captain is set to speak at the lunch event.
“We are very pleased to bring Kylie back to Broken Hill,” Mr Weston said. “Kylie spoke at our last staff day and her message is a strong one about the importance of education and where it can take you.
“We will invite the Aboriginal girls’ groups from our two high schools, which we support and engage with, to this event and photos will be a feature at each event as a great memento, particularly with multi-generations attending.”
The focus of the Because of Her, We can program will be wellbeing, with information on health checks and screening, a healthy eating as well as some pampering, and giveaways — particularly for the communities’ elders.
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the State Government was happy to help make Maari Ma one of 15 groups to receive grant funding.
“The NSW Government is thrilled to fund one of the most diverse range of Women’s Week events this year,” she said.
“Alongside some great activities that focus on women’s health, art and stories, we have funded events we hope will engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, women with a disability and women from rural, regional and remote NSW.
“We want these events to inspire creativity and talent, empower women of all ages and backgrounds and encourage diversity and inclusion. I encourage everyone to get involved in the events that are planned in your communities.”
