The Northern Territory’s Central Desert Shire Council will help boost school attendance by supporting only those sports carnivals that are held during the school holidays and on public holidays.
Sponsorship, Shire managed sporting facilities and in kind support from Shire employees, such as sports and recreation officers, will only be available for events that take place over a long weekend or outside the school term.
“Currently, many school children in the Shire – our future leaders and workers – miss out on school for weeks at a time because sports carnivals are held during the school term,” said Shire President Norbert Patrick.
“In a region where school attendance and education outcomes are among the worst in Australia, this is totally unacceptable.”
“While we have no jurisdiction over education, there are things we can do to make a difference.
“This policy may not be popular with all residents, but it is the right thing to do.
“I am proud of the leadership my fellow Councillors have shown.
“We are now calling on other organisations which support sports and culture carnivals, for example royalty associations and government sponsors, to follow our lead.”
Royalty payments are made to the Northern Territory Government by the mining industry based on production activities. They are then channelled back into Indigenous communities.
The Shire President said Yuendumu had taken a lead by completing its sports carnival over the picnic day long weekend in August.
He has urged other Territory Shires to adopt similar policies.
“Our residents travel far and wide to sports carnivals across the region. If you take all these events together, that adds up to many weeks of school that kids miss every year.”
Central Desert Shire CEO Rowan Foley said Council needs well educated local workers to achieve its vision.
“Our future managers and workers are missing out on the education they need in order to take over from non Aboriginal staff,” he said.
“At the same time, there is a lack of organised activities for school children during the school holidays.
“Moving sports carnivals into the school holiday period will help to solve both problems.”
Rowan Foley added that it was time large royalty meetings, which have a similar effect on school attendance as sports carnivals, were also held during school holiday and public holiday periods.
“These problems have languished in the too hard basket for too long,” he said. “We hope the decision of our Council will inspire others to do the same.”
For further information contact Rowan Foley on
0419 816 494.
