An education and youth-tailored hub has opened in the heart of Newman with high hopes it will improve education outcomes for young people .
Y WA's the new premises in Newman, a mining town 1200km north of Perth in the Pilbara region, heralds a revamp of a six-year youth program run by its local team and includes a dedicated Indigenous space.
Now located in the heart of East Pilbara's biggest town, on Kurrawan Way in East Newman, the new premises give children, students and families better access to services to help boost school attendance, participating in outreach programs, and case-by-case holistic support.
The Y Newman program - previously called the Education, Engagement and Attainment Initiative - has been rebranded Pakala Jijikaja Yankuni-la!, – which translates to 'Get up young people. Let's go!' after months of consultation and yarning with Elders, families and community members.
A bigger hub has long been on the radar of Y WA - a provider of more than 400 early childhood, education and care facilities in Australia - which wanted to enhance its existing six-year program with new and better delivery of existing services for the town's 6000-plus residents.
Pakala Jijikaja Yankuni-la was now focused on four key areas to build participation, cultural and community connections, while the new centre included a dedicated space for Elders and families to hold new early childhood playgroup sessions at Y Newman.
Family engagement services would now prioritise building and sustaining relationships – and a renewed focus on child education – while various community and cultural initiatives and events hosted at the hub would attract more families and young people connected to Y Newman.
The refreshed program also featured a rewards and recognition initiative, promoting school attendance and achievements for young people.
Pakala Jijikaja Yankuni-la program coordinator and Noongar woman Sammi Ryder said the dedicated space for her community was a game changer.
"It allows our services and funding from National Indigenous Australians Agency to target the children who are most in need, assisting us to work towards Closing the Gap," said Ms Ryder, who is based in Newman
"We will still collect young people in the bus for school every day - as we always have - but now they can also be dropped to the centre, get some good food in their bellies, maybe learn some cooking skills at the same time, and be looking sharp and ready for school, just like all their peers."
Ms Ryder said Y WA was also talking with similar organisations about ensuring the community had round-the-clock access to services.
"We had an opportunity to increase our connection to the community with a dedicated space, and championed for this ever since," she said.
"To see it all fall into place is really significant, and I'm sure it will profoundly impact children and families in Newman.
"There is so much happening, we are excited about what this next chapter will bring to our community."
The Pakala Jijikaja Yankuni-la! program will operate Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm, or as needed, with all young people, families and Elders welcome to come together in a safe space with access to vital services. Find out more online.