NYFL NOMINATED FOR OUTSTANDING ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATION AWARD
Local community member Roslyn shops at NYFL’s ‘social supermarket’, the Ieramugadu Store Maya. Credit: Supplied, NYFL.
A Roebourne-based Aboriginal organisation has been named as a finalist in WA’s Community Service Excellence Awards (CSEA).
The Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd. (NYFL) is nominated in the category for outstanding contribution to improving lives in community by an Aboriginal arganisation.
The awards are managed jointly by the Department of Communities and the Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS).
NYFL was nominated for a range of initiatives, including its not-for-profit ‘social supermarket’, an Aboriginal employment program, and its overall contribution to community wellbeing for Traditional Owners in Roebourne and surrounding areas.
65 local Aboriginal people have engaged with NYFL’s employment program over the past 12 months, with 18 moving to meaningful, vocational employment.
Noongar woman and NYFL Employment and Training Support Officer Hayley Ladyman said the employment program was about more than just getting a job.
“It’s about the person themselves,” she said. “We’ve seen a lot of great personal outcomes, a lot of great work outcomes, and it’s really rewarding to see how far they’ve come.”
NYFL CEO Sean-Paul Stephens said credit for the CSEA nomination has to go to the wider community.
“The nomination for the award is a reflection of the community itself, so the credit has to go to the Ngaarda-ngarli: to the Aboriginal people of Roebourne that guide NYFL,” he said.
WACOSS CEO Louise Giolitto said she is looking forward to celebrating the success of all nominees at the ceremony on May 1.
“WACOSS is honoured to present these awards to esteemed organisations and individuals who achieve incredible outcomes and are tireless advocates for the sector year after year,” she said.
“The awards are a chance for us all to pause and reflect on the success of the work we do, and take the opportunity to come together, celebrate, network, and applaud the sector who assist people experiencing disadvantage.”
Listen to an interview with NYFL representatives below: