Bungala Aboriginal Corporation awarded cash grant in recognition of positive impact on vulnerable community

A community group focused on providing employment options for Indigenous women has been serving 600 meals a week to residents of a regional town. Now that number is set to rise even further.

A regional community group which provides around 600 hot meals a week has been awarded a community grant to expand their workforce and employ more Aboriginal women.

Port Augusta community group Bungala Aboriginal Corporation recently received a SilverChef Community Grant as part of $80,000 annual program to expand its Food Service Program and connect more locals with employment opportunities.

The group, which has been providing work programs to the Aboriginal community in Port Augusta for more than 20 years, was selected by a panel made up of SilverChef leaders and ‘Impact Ambassadors’ after submitting detailed plans to grow their food services.

Isabell McKerlie is one of 14 rotating staff that work in the Bungala kitchen and said the benefits of the kitchen are felt by staff and customers alike.

“We’re an ageing population here in Port Augusta so we definitely need more initiatives like this,” Ms McKerlie said.

“We get really attached to our clients because it’s not just about delivering the meals, for a lot of them seeing a friendly face can be the highlight of their day.”

Isabell McKerlie prepares fresh muffins daily for customers of the Bungala Aboriginal Corporation's food service program. Picture: Isaac Selby

Alongside providing meals for the community, Ms McKerlie said she has been able to improve her cooking skills and the initiative has encouraged her to seek further professional training.

“I’ve just recently completed my certificate II in kitchen operations through the business and am looking to study further if I can,” Ms McKerlie said.

“Many of the girls including myself have taken the menus home and cooked meals for our families.

“Most of us working in the kitchen are mums who have children at home, and they get to taste the results.”

Rahni Duckford, Shanara Gibson, Jodie Tyler, Nathan Freeman, Robyn Caulthard and Isabell McKerlie during meal prep. Picture: Isaac Selby

Bungala Aboriginal Corporation program and delivery manager Nathan Freeman said the program launched three years ago after identifying a significant gap between the number of job opportunities available for Aboriginal men compared with those available for Aboriginal women.

“These include intergenerational unemployment, lack of work experience, lack of career pathways, and family or community obligations which require flexible employment,” Mr Freeman said.

“In the last 12 months, the Bungala Food Service Program has employed six additional Indigenous trainees and increased our weekly meal delivery service from 450 to 600 per week,” Mr Freeman said.

“By receiving the SilverChef Community Grant, we are now able to upgrade our food storage facilities to allow more meals to be made, stored and delivered, which in turn opens up additional spots within our program.”

Robyn Caulthard, Shanara Gibson and Rahni Duckford feed up to 100 people a day. Picture: Isaac Selby

Silverchef chief commercial officer Jeremy Mangan said the Bungala Aboriginal Corporation food delivery service demonstrated a true commitment to the local community in their grant application.

“When reviewing Bungala Aboriginal Corporation’s application, it was clear their strategic growth plans would create a significant, positive impact across Port Augusta and its surrounding communities,” Mr Mangan said.

“What stood out to us the most was that not only does the program impact the participants, it also supports the wider community through cooking and delivering healthy meals to vulnerable elderly people, while also offering them regular social interaction through the delivery process.”

More information about the Bungala Aboriginal Corporation can be found here: https://bungala.com.au/