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Gunnado Farm
Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation has a strong track record in running programs and activities to develop self esteem in disadvantaged young people. It is regarded as progressive and foresighted in its approach to Aboriginal self-empowerment by agencies and service providers in the Midwest. The organisation is currently running several programs and enterprises including education and training associated with employment; parenting and the creative arts; a Night Outreach Service; the Indigenous Youth Council; as well as various one-off events; and Gunnado Farm an employment and tourism enterprise.
Gunnado Farm was established to create employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people in seed collection, revegetation, cultivation and soil sampling. The success of these enterprises has lead to the organisation’s steady expansion over the 20 year period it has operated. Its aim is to develop the farm into a tourism enterprise, complete with walk trails, cultural sites, a horticultural orchard and farm with sheep and wildlife such as kangaroos and emus. Its vision is to form a link between the Yamatji people and other cultures, leading toward a mutual recognition and reconciliation of cultures.
Financial support for many of Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation’s initiatives has been obtained through Government funding. According to Merrilyn Green, Gunnado’s Operations Manager, the farm’s youth facility and caretakers residence would not have been built and equipped without the support of Lotterwest. She states:
Without Lotterywest support an essential and highly successful service to the Geraldton Community would not have been available.
Gunnado Farm’s youth facility is in constant demand by the community. It accommodates up to 20 socially or economically disadvantaged young people and has the capacity to focus on individual needs. Residential participants are provided counselling and a program of activities focussed on building personal development and restoring family relationships. Other agencies, schools and community groups freely acknowledge the many personal successes achieved by program participants.
Gunnado Farm is a half hour drive away from Geraldton and its popularity has lead to the organisation needing its own bus to transport program participants to and from the farm. Lotterywest also provided a grant to enable Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation to purchase a bus, aware that the young people who benefit from the corporation’s projects and activities could not attend without transportation. Merrilyn generously acknowledges the 20 year relationship Lotterywest has enjoyed with Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation and the value this support has provided over that time:
By supporting our organisation, Lotterywest are supporting the development and empowerment of the young people of our community and helping to lead them to better outcomes for their future.