Not-For-Profit Group Focuses On Community First

Last Friday night, children from Murrumburrah Public School enjoyed a Halloween Dance in the school hall thanks to the efforts of the Harden-Murrumburrah Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG).

The not-for-profit Aboriginal organisation currently consists of 20 active local members.

As a wholly volunteer-based group, their key focus is community first; the educational rights of Aboriginal people in and around Harden-Murrumburrah being their driving force.

Group president, Krystal Griffiths said the AECG advocated cultural affirmation, integrity and the pursuit of equality to ensure that the unique and diverse identity of Aboriginal students was recognised and valued.

“We promote respect, empowerment and self-determination and believe that the process of collaborative consultation with the schools and wider community is integral to equal partnership and fundamental to the achievement of equality,” Ms Griffiths said.

“To date, our financial contributions are from our small membership fees, donations from our members or from community-based fundraising, which has so far included running the candy bar for the Hilltops Youth Action Group’s movie night and ticket-selling for the Harden Kite Festival Committee.”

Last term, the AECG ran a free after-school Art Class at Hard Rock Gym. All costs were absorbed by the AECG’s members - including space rental, resources and refreshments.

The class ran for 10 weeks, with 15 to 30 children aged between 1 and 17 attending each week.

Unfortunately, the group is at the point where it has to decide whether the classes need to be put on hold.

Members have been paying out of their own pockets to ensure that these community and school-based projects can continue, but they need help.

If there are any businesses or individuals that would like to make a difference through sponsorship or donations, they would be gratefully received.

The group would like to continue to provide Proud and Deadly Awards, NAIDOC celebrations and community health and family days.

At the moment, they are running a Christmas raffle, with three hampers to be won. Prizes include:

• $50 Bunnings voucher;
• $50 Harden Bearings & Hardware voucher; and
• $50 Barnes Store Emporium and Cafe voucher.

Tickets cost $2 each and three tickets for $5, check the AECG Facebook page for further details.

Winners will be drawn in December.

• Topics:

• Community Groups