An Aboriginal Men and Youth Program position at Blue Mountains Council has been axed after state government funding stopped.
Jamie Murray has worked three days a week for the last three years in the position, achieving great results with the local Indigenous youth and others.
Projects have included multiple Aboriginal youth forums, a job expo, a three day Indigenous film festival attracting 500 attendees, a Boxing for Life program, art programs, well-being days on country, a Black Lives Matter forum and photography workshops which led to an exhibition at the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery at the cultural centre.
Councillors and local Indigenous leaders spoke at the council meeting last Tuesday, all praising Mr Murray and the great effect his work had in the community.
All called on the state government to renew funding for the position.
The mayor, Mark Greenhill, said he would write personally to Family and Community Services minister Brad Hazzard, the minister responsible.
Greens councillor, Kerry Brown, moved that the position be extended for six months with council funding while external funds were sought.
But Cr Daniel Myles spoke against.
“It gives the message that we will pick up the slack,” Cr Myles said. “We run the serious risk … that they think they can cut the funding on other positions. We really need to say to the state government that this is a good program, you need to keep funding it. They’ve got the money so let them keep doling it out.”
Cr Brown’s amendment was defeated and Mr Murray’s position has been cut.
