HALLS CREEK ARTISTS’ COMMUNITY RECEIVES FUNDING
2 September 2009
Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor today visited Halls Creek, in northern WA, to deliver funding of $438,324 for the Warlayirti Artists’ Aboriginal Corporation, under the Australian Government’s Proceeds of Crime Act (2002).
“The Government is committed to ensuring money confiscated from criminals is targeted at preventing crime. Art programs, such as this, can be a useful crime prevention tool,” Mr O’Connor said.
“This funding recognises the contribution work that an innovative group of artists is making to Indigenous arts and culture and, ultimately, to crime prevention. It is grass roots groups of this kind who make a positive difference to young Indigenous Australians.”
The project will engage young Indigenous people in three remote communities using photography, painting and film, to help young people appreciate the positive contribution ‘motika’(Indigenous slang for car) can make to their lives.
“The use of the car in contemporary Indigenous culture has significant links to high levels of crime, accidental death and imprisonment and it is innovative approaches, such as this program from Warlayirti Artists, that will help Indigenous young people engage with their culture to solve these issues,” the Minister said.
“This grant is one of a number to be made under the POCA Act (2002) which makes provision for using money from assets confiscated under Commonwealth law to be returned to the community.
More than $6 million of funding under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002) will be distributed to community groups for projects supporting initiatives in crime prevention and Indigenous prisoner rehabilitation and support.
“I will be making further announcements about other recipients in the near future,” Mr O’Connor added.
Media Contact: Christian Taubenschlag 0438 595 567
