A literacy and numeracy program attached to Project Walwaay will continue, thanks to $30,000 in funding secured by Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders.
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Education and Training Out West (ETOW) has worked in conjunction with Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers (ACLOs) attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District to identify children with a desire to complete the program.
Previously, funding for the one-on-one training had come from philanthropic donations, however when that partnership ended the future of the service was in some doubt.
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Mr Saunders however said programs like this working in conjunction with Walwaay could help break cycles of disadvantage, and was important to be able to continue despite funding.
"I met with Anne Shortis from ETOW and Willie Middleton earlier this year, and it became apparent that the program was succeeding and enabling the students to gain skills that can help them find employment down the track," he said.
"It is important that we don't let it go by the wayside because of a lack of funding.
"Willie has identified some participants that would be suitable for the program, and Anne has the educators who have already been successfully running it, so it makes sense that we could provide funding to ensure it runs for another year."
Ms Shortis said the money would allow ETOW to put three students through the program, and continue to build a case to seek further funding in the future.
"We were ecstatic when Dugald called to say we had secured $30,000 from the NSW government because without education, these kids have no real shot at breaking the cycle," she said.
"We work one-on-one with the students, Willie is involved all the way as well, and they come on in leaps and bounds. You can really see their confidence grow."