Territory champions laying the foundations for the future

TWO of the best known indigenous sports products and Territory politicians, Nova Peris and Ken Vowles are teaming up

Nova Peris will start a new foundation. Picture: STUART MCEVOY/THE AUSTRALIAN.

TWO of the best-known indigenous sports products and Territory politicians, Nova Peris and Ken Vowles, are teaming up.

After successful careers in both arenas, the two popular locals are putting in place the building blocks for the Nova Peris Foundation.

The Foundation has a broad agenda for remote communities, but the two areas key to their hearts are food and water security.

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Ms Peris has been home in Darwin since the nation went into a coronavirus lockdown.

She said it has given her the opportunity to sit down and plan how she can give back to the people who gave her so much faith and support in her sport and political journeys.

“Ken and I want to give back through the foundation,” Ms Peris said. “Coming back from Melbourne to be here during the pandemic has given us the time to work through how we can be an active force to help indigenous Territorians.

“The lockdown has been tough for remote people that have had problems with food and supplies. There is so much we think we can do to help.”

Former Labor MLA Ken Vowles will help with the new foundation. Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY

The shared passion has given Mr Vowles a spark after political life for the start of his new consultancy business.

“Nova and I are still piecing it all together, but the plan is for a Darwin Office,” he said.

“We are looking at a number of different programs but food security and water security are high among our priorities for the foundation.

“Communities need water for purification, they need food and they need help to be sustainable. Nova is a local girl who has done exceptionally well and a great ambassador for the NT.

“It is going to be great working together to give back. We are talking to Food Ladder which is a not-for-profit organisation using hydroponics and environmentally sustainable technologies to create food and economic security for communities otherwise reliant on aid and affected by poverty.

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“Maningrida and Katherine are standout successes of empowering future indigenous generations to grow food in the community.”