Wunan Foundation and MG Corp enter memorandum of understanding to deliver essential services in East Kimberley

Two Aboriginal organisations have joined forces to establish essential services in the East Kimberley, including provision for early childhood education and care, and revitalising the Kununurra Hostel. Wunan Foundation and MG Corporation have entered a memorandum of understanding to maximise opportunities and drive positive social, economic and cultural impacts through two collaborative initiatives. The first initiative will deliver childcare services funded by the Community Child Care Fund Restricted Expansion program, initiated by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. The Pindan Childcare Centre will start operation later this year, with Wunan Foundation and One Tree Community Services overseeing the services, while MG Corporation — the owner of the site — undertakes construction. Wunan Foundation chair Ian Trust said the childcare centre was a vital service that must meet the needs of children and families while working with related service providers. “Our collaboration ensures culturally sensitive and impactful outcomes,” he said. The second initiative aims to revitalise the 42-bed Kununurra Hostel, which was built in 2010 for remote Indigenous students but has been underused in recent years. After 12-months of negotiations, the facility has been repurposed to accommodate a broader range of Indigenous services and programs to support Indigenous youth in the community and house a range of initiatives. MG Corporation chair Lawford Benning said Kununurra’s main native title organisation was pleased to partner with Wunan to reactivate the Kununurra Hostel. “This initiative will provide much-needed support to young people entering employment or training and struggling to find affordable accommodation due to the current accommodation shortages affecting our community,” he said. “We cannot understate what a significant milestone this is, and we are fully committed to delivering a sustainable operation that can maximise the potential of this great community asset.”