$18m Central Australian boarding funding realloction sees $6.3m divvied out in Alice Springs

The remaining $6.3 million from an $18 million fund has been divvied up to two Red Centre boarding providers, who’ve each have a unique way they plan to sue the money. Find out more.

Federal minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy with Lingiari MHR Marion Scrymgour at Yirara College, Alice Springs, Thursday October 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The “only option” for some Red Centre students is set to get an upgrade as part of a federal funding reallocation, which is divvying up $6.3 million for boarding upgrades in Alice Springs.

The Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and Alice Springs Youth Accommodation & Support Services (ASYASS) have been offered a share of the money as part of the federal government’s $18 million Central Australia Boarding Response Fund.

Federal minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy at Yirara College, Alice Springs, Thursday October 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The Batchelor Institute have been offered $5.1m towards building a new accommodation centre in the Desert Knowledge Precinct, located south of Alice Springs.

Batchelor Institute acting chief executive Renee Long said the investment “marks a transformative step” for the organisation “and our students from remote communities”.

“For years, we’ve worked to create a culturally safe space for learning, and this new accommodation at our Alice Springs campus will ensure students can focus on their education without the challenges of unsuitable accommodation,” she said.

The remaining $1.2m has been offered to ASYASS, who plan to build a accommodation facility for young pregnant women, young mothers, and children experiencing homelessness.

ASYASS chief executive Ojisi Charlie said “the project will empower young Aboriginal mothers and their children to establish routines, seek support and re-engage with educational services”.

Yirara College principal Wesley Meurant with federal minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy at Yirara College, Alice Springs, Thursday October 17, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Funding from the Central Australia Boarding Response Fund was first divvied out by Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour and federal Indigenous Australians minister Senator Malarndirri McCarthy October last year.

Both visited Yirara College south of Alice Springs, where they announced the school had been offered $10 million to upgrade its boarding facilities.

At the time, St Philip’s College was offered $1.7m and the other $6.3 million was offered to Yipirinya School to help build their long proposed $10m boarding facility.

This mastheads understands Yipirinya declined the funding, causing the reallocation to Batchelor and ASYASS.

In a statement detailing the reallocation, Ms McCarthy said “boarding is the only option for many First Nations students in Central Australia to engage in formal education”.

“This funding demonstrates the Albanese Government’s ongoing commitment to Closing the Gap in education and improving life outcomes for First Nations people,” she said.

In the same statement, Ms Scrymgour said “every child has a right to a quality education, regardless of where they live”.

“This investment is part of the Albanese Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to a quality education for all children,” she said.

Originally published as $18m Central Australian boarding funding realloction sees $6.3m divvied out in Alice Springs