Miyay Birray representatives sat down with Early Childhood Education and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Sarah Mitchell last week to discuss the idea of a ‘night rider’ service.
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The long-standing community asset, mainly funded through Department of Family and Community Services, hopes to attract more funding to run cultural activities on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Miyay Birray chief executive Darrel Smith said the activities would be fostered around children's interests.
“At the moment we pick kids up on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights but there is no where to take them and no activities to keep them entertained and engaged,” he said.
The current ‘street beat’ program averages 1000 children every six months and sees Miyay Birray employees drive around to pick up local children.
Mr Smith said a permanent location, such as the Lifestyle Academy at the Salvation Army, would be sought after to host the activities.
“Even if we don’t pick up the kids off the street they will still know where to go if they don’t want to be home or walking around the town,” he said. He said it was important to have an environment where the children felt safe to go to.
Minister Mitchell, as a former resident of Moree, saw how the service could be beneficial to the whole community.
Mr Smith agreed and said the service would encourage local children thinking about what they want in the future and the skills and training they need to get there.
“Parents know their children are at a safe place doing activities, kids get to do what they are interested in and learn new skills and it’s a benefit to the community because kids wont be wondering the street bored.
“Not every kid walking around town is doing bad but at least this way they will have something fun and educational to go and do.
“We’d like to do a lot more at our site here at Miyay Birray but we are restricted because we don’t have a security fence, so that’s another thing we’d like to see happen,” he said.
Minister Mitchell said the meeting gave her an overview of the service, their needs, programs and what support they need going forward. “I think what came through strongly was [Miyay Birray] is actually doing a lot already that they are not funded for in the interest of the kids.
“Adam is going into bat for the service and as minister it is my role to be an advocate for these sort of services and programs, I support Adam.”
