The K'Gari 'Strengthening Culture' Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA) was signed to develop organised cultural education for young people at K'Gari.
K'Gari is the Indigenous word for Fraser Island. Approximately 600 Budtjala people live in the Wide Bay region of K'Gari.
Shared Responsibility Agreements are agreements between governments and Indigenous communities to provide discretionary funding in return for community obligations. The new arrangements developed from an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments and replace the previous ATSIC system of funding. For more information see ‘Shared Responsibility Agreement’ below.
The object of this SRA is to promote 'cultural awareness and well-being', especially with a view to reducing anti-social behaviour among young people (SRA, Clause 2). The SRA will provide cultural and education activities and a youth services officer for the community.
Pursuant to this SRA, the community will devise a cultural education program to be run by community elders. The program will involve camps for young people and education about traditional lands and cultural practices. The community will combine cultural training with career planning and mentoring.
The Commonwealth government will provide funds of $252,000 towards the upgrade of resources, such as transport and resources for camping, and a sewerage system on the community lease. The Commonwealth government will aslo fund a youth services officer, and provide funding for educational activities to be undertaken.
The K'Gari SRA is to be administered by the Rockhampton Indigenous Coordination Centre.