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National Indigenous Development Centre Update - Feb 2009

This update was produced by the ILC and Tyford Consulting in February 2009 for the National Indigenous Development Centre (NIDC) and the YMCA's role in the NIDC.

National Indigenous Development Centre Update

The establishment of the National Indigenous Development Centre (NIDC) on the site of the old Redfern Public School by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) is making good progress.

Here is a reminder about the NIDC facilities on offer:

George Street Sport and Fitness Centre comprising:

  • Multi-purpose indoor sports courts;
  • Fitness centre;
  • Flexible activity rooms;
  • Arts and craft and computer training rooms;
  • Outdoor heated swimming pool; and
  • Sports training field.

Sydney Urban Camp comprising:

  • Flexible, group accommodation for up to 100 people;
  • Kitchen and dining facilities catering for 130 people;
  • Outdoor BBQ and recreational areas;
  • Flexible indoor activity / conference rooms.

In addition to the above, the NIDC will also provide classrooms for remedial education tutorial programs for Indigenous students and office accommodation for Indigenous organisations.

The aims and objectives of the NIDC can be summarised as follows:

  • Long term social, educational and cultural benefits for Indigenous people;
  • Employment and training opportunities for Indigenous people;
  • Creation of a national sporting and educational model for Indigenous development.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Since the construction works commenced in July 2008, St Hilliers Construction have made great progress with the building program.

In September last year the ILC notified local residents about the remediation of contaminated soil on the site, including the removal of asbestos. The remediation work for the majority of the site is now complete, except for a small area yet to be excavated. An Environmental Scientist has been on site throughout the construction work monitoring the excavation and movement of soil on the site.

Some key milestone dates for the building program between now and the anticipated completion date of the end of August 2009 are:

  • The sports training field will be completed in early April 2009.
  • The foundations for the George Street Sport and Fitness Centre have now been laid. The erection of the structural steelwork and metal sheeting to the walls and the roof will be completed by the end of May 2009.
  • Construction is scheduled for completion in August 2009 with operation commencing in September.

NIDC TENANTS, OPERATORS & HIRERS

The NIDC has developed partnerships with the following organisations to administer programs to Indigenous youth and the broader Redfern-Waterloo community:

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL SPORTING CHANCE ACADEMY (NASCA)

NASCA will be based at the NIDC and will run sports training and life development camps (rugby league, netball and basketball), sports health clinics and promote educational scholarships for Indigenous youth.

THE EXODUS FOUNDATION TUTORIAL CENTRE

The Exodus Foundation Tutorial Centre will provide educational outcomes by delivering innovative educational programs for up to 60 students per year by providing intensive literacy and numeracy training to students who are struggling in the mainstream school system.

LLOYD McDERMOTT RUGBY DEVELOPMENT TEAM

The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team run a range of sporting programs for Indigenous girls and boys including rugby union, netball and golf. The teams will come and stay at the Sydney Urban Camp to participate in training and development programs.

YMCA

In addition to the above tenants, operators and hirers, the Indigenous Land Corporation has engaged the YMCA to operate the George Street Sport & Fitness Centre and the Sydney Urban Camp at the NIDC. The initial term of their engagement is for 5 years. Both the ILC and the YMCA are very excited about the benefits that can be delivered to the community through this exciting partnership.

About the YMCA

“The YMCA is one of Australia's oldest and most respected not for profit organisations with a history extending over 155 years. A community based organisation, the YMCA works with government, non-profit groups and partners to provide programs and services to more than 500,000 Australians every week. The Y operates across a diverse range of key program areas from fitness and aquatics to camping and childcare, from gymnastics and school PE to sports competitions and community services.

The Y is in touch with the needs of communities in which we work, and as an organisation we have the capacity to respond to needs as they arise, at a local, state and national level.

The YMCA Values of honesty, respect, caring and responsibility underpin all that we do. A key difference in YMCA program delivery are our Community Strengthening Promises; fee assistance, volunteering, family programming, connection & belonging and youth leadership.”

The YMCA at the NIDC - A Shared Vision:

The YMCA and the ILC share a vision for the NIDC that includes:

  • To become a centre for Indigenous excellence by fostering talent and improving self esteem and confidence
  • To create a national model for Indigenous development.
  • To provide best practice programs and service excellence with state of the art facilities
  • To offer a holistic approach to addressing disadvantage in Indigenous youth through 3 key areas; youth education, artistic/cultural activities and participation in sport
  • To provide employment and training opportunities for Indigenous people
  • To provide a community asset for civic use by all local residents in the Redfern-Waterloo community.
  • To compliment and not compete with existing local programs and services
  • To actively seek collaborations and partnership with other organisations to maximise our scope in servicing user groups.

Programs offered by the YMCA at the NIDC

  • Health & Fitness programs and services including cardio and weight training, group fitness, personal training and challenge fitness camps.
  • Aquatics programs
  • Sports Competitions (Futsal, Netball, Basketball, Touch Football)
  • Accommodation at the Sydney Urban Camp
  • Gymnastics
  • Out of School Hours Care and Vacation Care
  • Leadership programs (Future Leaders, Youth Parliament)
  • Education and Training Programs

Indigenous Employment Strategy for the YMCA operated facilities at the NIDC

  • The YMCA employs over 8000 staff nationally at over 430 sites.
  • At the NIDC it is our vision that up to 30 % of staff across our program areas will be Indigenous.
  • Indigenous employment at NIDC will be a combination of full time, part time and casual roles similar to the traditional operation of a sport and recreation centre.
  • The YMCA is committed to building partnerships with local schools and Registered Training Organisation's to create industry pathways to identify, educate and train indigenous people from the local community to work at NIDC
  • The YMCA will host an Indigenous Sport and Recreation Careers Expo at the Centre showcasing the exciting industry to the local indigenous community with pathways to employment, training and employment a key outcome of the event.

For Further Information

Contact Stuart Waters, Twyfords on

1800 11 00 55

twyfords@twyford.com.au