The Greater Western Sydney Ngaliya (Dharug word meaning “together/you and me”) Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed at Blackett near Mount Druitt late last year.
The place-based partnership has been established through the National and State Closing the Gap initiative and aims to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Greater Western Sydney area.
It is currently comprised of the following Aboriginal organisations:
- Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation
- Goodradigbee Cultural and Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
- Aboriginal Employment Strategy (Western Sydney branch)
- Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation
- Butucarbin Aboriginal Corporation
- Yarning Crescent
- Yana Yirabana Aboriginal Corporation
- Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service (Mount Druitt and Penrith)
- Ngroo Education Aboriginal Corporation
- Merana Aboriginal Community Association
GWS Ngaliya will provide a strong, coordinated, and united voice to address issues affecting Aboriginal peoples including health, youth, aged care, education, housing, employment, legal equity, culture and heritage, protection of land and waters, language, child and family supports, disability, social justice, economic development and promoting respect for human rights.
About five percent of Australia’s Aboriginal population lives in Western Sydney.
The initiative has been supported by Aboriginal Affairs NSW and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, who attended and witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
This is the second Place Based Partnership in NSW, following the signing of the Tamworth Coalition of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (TACCO) in July 2024.
The signing of formal Place Based partnerships and agreements is a key Closing the Gap outcome under Priority Reform 1: “Formal partnerships and shared decision-making.”
Tony Hunter, CEO of Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation, said:
"The GWS Ngaliya partnership represents a powerful step forward for our communities. By coming together, we are not only addressing the immediate challenges but also fostering a sense of unity and resilience.
“This collaboration is a testament to our collective strength and our unwavering commitment to Closing the Gap for future generations."
Aunty Jenny Beale and Uncle Jack Gibson, Butucarbin Aboriginal Corporation, said:
“The GWS Ngaliya partnership will privilege the often unheard Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice, enacting Aboriginal self-determination to make a collective contribution to Closing the Gap.”
Aunty Lizzie May, Chair of the Board, Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation, said:
“It was such a privilege to be a part of this special day, not only as the Chair of Link-Up (NSW) who has led this project on behalf of NSW CAPO, but also as a long time community member of western Sydney.
"This deadly partnership has been a long time coming, and I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes led by our Mob in community.”
Krystle Daley, Executive Director of Ngroo Education Aboriginal Corporation, said:
“Bringing together local Aboriginal Community Controlled Corporations and organisations that are working directly with our people at a grassroots level within Greater Western Sydney and forming the GWS Ngaliya partnership has not only brought all voices together as one, it has also strengthened us to address the current issues we are all facing and enables us to continually support each other in Closing the Gap as a collective because we can’t do this alone.”
