Moree academy: A local solution to local problems

The Federal Government has committed $2.1 million for infrastructure and have promised to fund half the running costs in the first year, and a third in the second year.

Academy co-founders Mitchell Johnson and Chris Binge have spent the past three years designing and tailoring programs to be run out of the facility.

Mr Johnson said the idea flourished after a meeting with Senator Nigel Scullion Minister for Indigenous Affairs in 2014, when he asked for ideas on how to increase school attendance and address anti-social behaviours arising with youth of Moree.

“This is a local solution to local problems and everything has been tailored to the Moree community and that’s why we are confident it will make a difference,” he said.

Academy staff will establish relationships with local youth and their parents for a whole family approach to education, sport, health and arts.

Catering for Kindergarten to Year 12 students, the facility will give greater opportunity to all children of Moree.

“A normal academy afternoon could be an hour and a half of structured educational programs in the afternoon whether that be helping with school homework or IT classes.

“And afterwards the children can focus on physical activity, arts, drama or anything that may interest them,” Mr Johnson said.

The academy building on Anne St will be a multi-purpose centre with dressing sheds and an oval for sporting activities, and rooms for arts and education.

During the day, whilst children are at school, staff will engage with parents educating them in topics such as drugs and alcohol, family violence, etc.

“Initially there will be hard work from the team going out in the community, into homes of people where they feel comfortable.

“When they are confident enough we will have them come to the academy.

“We really just want to inspire children and open opportunities for them, give them a safe place to go and educate them,” Mr Binge said.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton announced the funding at Friday night’s Reconciliation Awards in Moree.

Mr Coulton said himself and Senator Scullion were impressed with how the Moree community has stepped up to face local issues.

“The neighbourhood watch group were a great example of local solutions and Nigel really saw the benefit in this proposal,” Mr Coulton said.

“This will be a safe place for children of Moree and specialist staff will be able to identify and assist at risk kids.”

The academy will work with existing services and organisations in Moree to deliver programs, and will employ a number of highly-qualified staff.

The specific programs will focus on connecting with culture, education and art, health and well being, leadership development, mentoring and support, and sporting development.

“We have planted the seed. This has been in momentum for more than three years and all the groundwork has been done,” Mr Johnson said.

Mr Binge and Mr Johnson believe the academy’s concept will be a game changer for the Moree community and supported the Australian Governments initiatives for healthy communities and Closing the Gap.

While the main focus of the academy is participation and development of local Aboriginal people, it is inclusive of all people and cultures.

Mr Johnson said there was an increasing body of evidence that linked to positive changes in young people to active participation in sport and recreation programs.

“Not everyone wants to kick and footy so we wanted to include health, arts, music, dance and culture into this.”