RESEARCH TRANSLATION
COMMUNITY-LED
DEVELOPMENT : WALGETT PARTNERSHIP
UNSW RESEARCH
The extremely high rates of incarceration , disadvantage and discrimination that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience is one of Australia ’ s most urgent human rights issues . Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up three per cent of Australia ’ s population but 30 per cent of prisoners . We need community-led solutions to address the drivers of incarceration .
The Yuwaya Ngarra-li partnership between UNSW and the Dharriwaa Elders Group ( DEG ) has been built from the Elders ’ vision for change in their community of Walgett in remote north-west NSW . After collaboration on research , the DEG invited UNSW to work together on a multidisciplinary long-term partnership to reduce incarceration and improve wellbeing and social , economic and environmental outcomes in Walgett .
Since 2016 , DEG and UNSW have developed a new model of communityuniversity partnership and secured more than $ 6 million from philanthropic and other funders . Key areas of priority and impact are youth justice , food and water security , housing , and caring for Country .
> Built a community-led partnership around the Elders ’ vision for change .
> Secured philanthropic funding to develop , implement and evaluate CommUNIty-Led Development .
> Developed an innovative , holistic , culturally connected model of youth diversion .
> Five-year NHMRC-funded project to improve food and water security .
34 •