Monday 19 October 2009
Top End communities will have new role models to look up to this week when nine of Australia's best athletes and musicians visit Wadeye and Daly River to meet with Territorian kids and conduct workshops in their fields of expertise.
The Department of Health and Families (DHF) is one of the main sponsors of the Red Dust Role Models (RDRM) program in the Northern Territory, providing $30,000 per annum to support visits to the communities of Daly River, Wadeye, Areyonga and Kintore.
Earlier in 2009, DHF also provided a 'one-off' grant for RDRM to purchase a 4WD troop carrier for its Central Australian operations.
"RDRM is a very successful public health program taught by well known Australian sports, music and television identities," said Alcohol and Other Drugs Program Director, Jo Townsend.
"For this visit, we are pleased to welcome athletes Tim Maloney, Justine Smedhurst, Tom Lonergan, Michael Brookens, Kyle Vander Kuyp and Linley Frame as well as musicians Adam Thompson, Bridget a'Beckett and Glenn Bidmead.
"This is the third visit of its kind in 2009. RDRM will spend up to four days in the communities of Wadeye and Daly River.
"It is a great to have these Role Models meet kids in communities. Past experience shows that this style of interaction is very inspiring.
"DHF is delighted to have this continued association with RDRM," Ms Townsend added.
The program supports new, fun and exciting ways of engaging with Aboriginal youths and families in a culturally secure fashion and will operate from Monday 19 to Friday 24 October.
Media contacts: Anna Campbell 0401 116 144, Darrel Trueman 0401 116 203
