Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, says the Clontarf Academy in Mildura & Robinvale produce incredible outcomes but funding has not increased since inception of the Foundation in 2010.
Ms Benham says Clontarf Foundation is one of the success stories for engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys across the nation and the results speak for themselves.
She says since its inception in 2010, numbers enrolled annually have more than doubled – and participation in schools has soared 256 per cent.
“This marvelous program was set up in 2010, partnership with the Liberals Nationals government of the day, and allocated a $540,000 funding injection on an annual basis – money expected to help establish the program and then be increased as required,” Ms Benham explains.
The Clontarf Academy program provides an important school-engagement mechanism for many at-risk, teenage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male students who would otherwise not attend or have very low school attendance.
“This program provides an important, school-engagement mechanism for many at-risk, teenage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male students who would otherwise not attend or have very low school attendance.”
Ms Benham, this week met with Clontarf regional manager Ben Djuve, and Victoria zone manager Mark Riley to discuss the worsening financial crisis which puts our local academies at risk.
She says she was horrified when she heard how much – or little – the project is receiving.
“It’s foundations such as these which must be kept going, that desperately need ongoing flexible funding from the Victorian government to help our youth in regional areas,” Ms Benham added.
“Because there has only been the ridiculous flat rate – dead flat for all those years – Clontarf has been forced to subsidise every shortfall from its own pocket as its team work overtime to keep the program afloat,” she says.
Jade Benham MP with Members of Robinvale and Swan Hill Clontarf Academies
