Alice Springs’ Bikes Mwerre benefits from federal funding for Central Australia school holiday program
Federal funding is set to benefit Territory kids in the Red Centre – but it’s not without the help of the community, and one local bike program. Find out more.
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A federal cash injection is helping Red Centre kids get a rocking set of new wheels – thanks to Alice Springs community members who donate to a local bike program.
Larapinta-based Bikes Mwerre, a community bike organisation, is one of many programs benefiting from a $3.2 million federal government fund for school holiday programs in Central Australia.
The funding, delivered over the next two years, aimed to “increase certainty for local youth service providers” within Alice Springs and Central Australia, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said.
“This funding will increase certainty for local youth service providers in the region to develop their activities and school holiday programs for the next two years,” she said.
Bikes Mwerre program manager Julie Kerr said the”focus is always on Larapinta” with the program.
“Larapinta is bit further out of (Alice Springs), there’s not many youth programs out here, so it’s nice that it’s something special for Larapinta,” she said.
Ms Kerr said so far Bikes Mwerre was frequently around Alice Spring hosting community events, and had given out 350 bikes – all of which were donated by the community to the program.
“Community members can come down and have their bikes repaired. They can learn a few basic mechanic skills. All the parts have just applied totally free of charge, so there’s no like barrier to anyone being involved,” she said.
Born out of a dad’s love for bikes, the Bikes Mwerre program has been running since 2022.
Lyndavale Dr resident Scott Haynes – who’s also a dad – said it was great to see kids out riding bikes.
“(It) reduces that boredom, gives you something to do,” he said.
“I know when I was a kid, if you had a bike, you’re out there riding BMX tracks and stuff.
“(Bikes Mwerre) is really great because in Alice Springs, you’ve gotta make sure you’ve got thorn-proof (tubes) and they make sure (the kids) have that.”
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Originally published as Alice Springs’ Bikes Mwerre benefits from federal funding for Central Australia school holiday program
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