East Arnhem Regional Council works alongside other Aboriginal-controlled organisations including Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation and Yalu Aboriginal Corporation, creating opportunities where health, wellbeing, culture and recreation come together naturally.

East Arnhem Regional Council’s – Active Communities & Youth Services program is delivered across six remote communities: Milingimbi, Ramingining, Galiwin’ku, Gapuwiyak, Yirrkala and Gunyangara. The program prioritises the needs of young people, and recognises that this is best achieved by working together with other stakeholders.

The Council works closely with community and stakeholders, including various Aboriginal Corporation Organisations to provide positive outcomes for young people.

“Everyone brings different expertise, and when combined you create much stronger outcomes than any one organisation can achieve on its own. Leveraging Councils dedicated youth spaces, provides a strong opportunity for all stakeholders to engage with young people,” says Peter Dunkley, Regional Manager Active Communities & Youth Services.

A recent example of Council’s commitment to collaboration saw Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation bring popular musician Kennyon Brown and Project Love to Yirrkala as part of a community wellbeing initiative. Leveraging its Yirrkala Youth Drop-in Centre, Council hosted a community barbecue, combining its regular activities with Miwatj’s initiative to achieve a broader community outcome. The result was simple but powerful.

Engagement at the event was strong, because trusted organisations came together, creating an event that community genuinely wanted to be part of.

Collaboration extends well beyond one-off events.

Each year, Council and Miwatj jointly deliver a Regional Wellbeing Camp for around 36 young people aged between 10 and 13. The event is in its fourth year. Held at Gulkula (Garma site), the camp delivers culturally appropriate workshops on health and wellbeing, engages participants in a range of recreational activities, and tailors content boys and girls.

“The camp aims to be proactive, empowering our young people to champion and share the knowledge they gain with their peers when they return home” says Peter.

Across East Arnhem, Council’s Active Communities and Youth Services team deliver activities at least five days each week, including evening programs running several nights, providing safe, positive options after school and at night. Activities are planned monthly around four guiding principles of social and emotional wellbeing: connection to mind, connection to body, connection to culture and connection to family. This recognises something communities have long understood – that strong futures are built by strengthening every part of a young person’s life.

Perhaps equally important is who delivers these activities.

Around 70 per cent of staff hours across Council’s Active Communities and Youth Services are worked by Aboriginal employees. Yolŋu staff lead and manage teams, coordinate events, and design activities. This ensures the service reflects local culture and community priorities.

For Active Communities and Youth Services, success isn’t measured only by attendance numbers, perhaps more important is local leadership, developed by growing the capacity of Yolŋu staff to lead complex community programs themselves.

Council values sustainability, fostering authentic leadership pathways, and creating high-quality experiences for young people. Remote Yolŋu communities deserve good spaces, meaningful opportunities, and mentors who believe in them.

It is this philosophy that underpins East Arnhem Regional Council’s – Active Communities and Youth Services program, which reaches young people through safe spaces, regular and consistent early intervention activities, regional events, and targeted youth support.

Trusted partnerships with other Aboriginal-controlled organisations only strengthen this work further.



Originally post by LGANT: www.lgant.asn.au/how-east-arnhem-regional-council-builds-futures-with-relationships