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Important Dates

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER DEVELOPMENT FUND (ATSIDF)

Funding human development is a tangible expression of the Churches support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples to develop their communities and their participation in the wider Australian and international communities.

The Aborginal & Torres Strait Islander Development Fund (ATSIDF), of the National Council of Churches in Australia, is a tax deductable fund set up to assist Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples by giving small, usually ($5,000) one-off grants for community development projects.

In recent years NATSIEC has funded many projects through the ATSIDF. Each year, generous donations through our Martung Upah Appeal mean that more projects can be funded.

Click here to go to the Martung Upah Appeal page

FUNDING 2008 - Closing Dates:

5pm, Friday 29th February

5pm, Friday 29th August

Applicants will be informed of the success of their submission within 3-4 weeks of the closing date

DOWNLOAD:

ATSIDF APPLICATION FORM (pdf)

ATSIDF APPLICATION FORM (word)

ATSIDF GUIDELINES (pdf)

Projects funded in 2008 (to date)

St Alban’s Youth Ministry (Yarrabah) – Trail of Hope: “The Journey” Youth Gathering $3500

This is the 4^th conference of this nature and has grown in size and impact each time. This Christian gathering of Native, Indigenous and Aboriginal youth is filled with challenging messages, resourceful sessions, and lots of Christ centred messages through sports and other activities. It is designed to be part of a comprehensive strategy to establish much needed youth ministries among Indigenous youth. St Alban’s youth ministry have been invited to be a part of this important gathering, and partner with the organisers to teach and resource Indigenous youth and leaders. The participants are funding their own air fares to attend this gathering. NATSIEC has provided funding to cover the cost of the registration fee for 13 participants.

Central Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Agency (Rockhampton)

Indigenous Youth Musical Development and Outreach Project - $5635.32

This project is about assisting Indigenous youth to both develop musical and performance skills. It is believed that through this the Youth will be able to develop better self-esteem and self concept, they will be able to express themselves and in doing so create a greater awareness of the issues they confront in today’s society. Maun youth will find alternatives to the social pressures to reach for drugs and alcohol to “fit in” in with the crowd. By enabling them to make the decisions about the direction they want to take during this project they will be better able to make decisions about the rest of their lives and the relationships they have with others. NATSIEC funded the purchase of musical instruments.

United Congress Funerals

Portable PA System - $3156.89

NATSIEC funded the purchase of a replacement PA system which is used by United Congress Funerals, an Aboriginal non-profit organisation providing funeral services. The PA will not only be used for funerals, but also for other community activities.

Projects funded in 2007 (click here to read about projects funded in previous years )

Download the 2007 Annual Report - click here.

Inala Aboriginal Community Church – Durrak Qld

$5,800 for Youth Project

Skills development, education, and culture

Through planned and facilitated activities such as Aboriginal art, music lessons, singing, cooking lessons and health discussions, we aim to develop greater outcomes in the lives of our Indigenous young people. The project aims to provide intervention and alternatives for young people to participate in activities in a safe environment, social skills, health and cultural awareness to utilise in the church and community.

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry – Melbourne

$5,000 for distribution of A River Dreaming by Betty Pike

The funding helps the publication and distribution of a book A River Dreaming by Elizabeth Pike, Elder. The book presents the story of Betty’s finding of and growth in understanding herself as an Aboriginal person of mixed background and tells this through a re-telling and extensions of the story of the creation of the Platypus. The proceeds of the book will be donated by the author to support the Opening the Doors Foundation: Keeping Koori Kids in Education.

Jubal Aboriginal Corporation

$13,000 for kitchen equipment

Jubal is an Aboriginal owned and run place of retreat in Northern NSW. Jubal runs projects such as Youth holiday camps which are cultural and diversionary programs for Aboriginal youth. They also host other groups to run programs. Jubal has built a kitchen block but needed funding to equip it. Often the groups have more than 100 children and adults attending a five day camp, so it was essential to be able to provide proper meals. NATSIEC was able to fund a fridge and other essential equipment to enable Jubal to provide catering services to its groups. NATSIEC is also working closely with Jubal to develop a women’s project focusing on catering and in the future a café.

Cross Roads Training Ministry

$5,000 for Indigenous Community Leadership Training

This training program involves allowing Indigenous people to develop their skills with an holistic Indigenous Christian Perspective, it helps educate people about community development and culture. The focus is on developing individuals as leaders with skills in community development. The course also uses material from Nungalyina College which it is hoped will provide encouragement for students to take on more formal education.

Centacare Catholic Community Services

$6,235 – Alive and Well Project

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can access the Centacare Alive and Well project. The project aims to empower young people through on-going case work and support. The project focuses on skills development, culture and community development. Centacare provide a range of activities that engage young people in a learning and fun way. This approach builds rapport and trust which helps build upon the young people’s skills individually and within a group setting. It aims to prevent isolation, build friendships, break down barriers, build upon leadership and assist young people to gain a better understanding of their own culture.