Spotlight: Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s LDAT
In the west and inner-west areas of Victoria, the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation is using the AFL club’s well-known brand to engage and connect First Nations youth through the Sons and Daughters of the West Local Drug Action Team.
The Nallei Jerring Youth Leadership Program (meaning join and unite in Woi Wurrung Language) works in partnership with local community and schools, providing opportunities for young high-school aged First Nations people, to connect with Aboriginal community, history, tradition and culture.
Their challenge
Hannah Singleton, Youth and School Programs Manager at the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, explained that the idea for the program came from a local need and consultation with community Elders and leaders.
At the time, the Bulldogs had just established the Community Foundation arm of the footy club.
“West of Melbourne, there aren’t a lot of services for First Nations young people. For example, in Melton and Footscray, there’s a lack of support and health services, so we’re trying to link young people in with services and orgs in the west.”
“We also want to provide health and harm reduction information, as well as involve them in leadership and cultural activities that young people couldn’t access before,” Hannah said.
Their response
The Nallei Jerring Youth Leadership Program, working with local schools in the outer west suburb of Melton and regional City of Ballarat, was delivered by an Indigenous Youth Coordinator. The program comprised of workshops in school hours, excursions to culturally significant locations and a camp celebrating culture and belonging.
Activities included practical team building activities, leadership development, hearing from respected Aboriginal Elders and leaders, and AFL team visits.
“The program has been through many different iterations over the years. When I began work here, it was a 10-week after school program,” explained Hannah.
“We worked closely with schools to promote the program and the Koori Education Coordinators told us we should run it during school hours. They said: you’ll get more participation, plus it will encourage the students to go to school.”
“I said: if the schools let us, 100% we’ll do that!
“In 2022, we tried that approach when we expanded to the Ballarat area. There was a big want and need for this program there and we were able to establish and build relationships with local services and organisations including Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC).”
For the First Nations students participating in the program, there are multiple benefits.
They are linked with local leaders and mentors; they have a chance to meet other First Nations young people; and they’re able to connect with services, employment and education, leadership opportunities and other youth programs.
“Using the brand of the Western Bulldogs supports us to break down barriers, creating an environment that allows young people to grow their understanding of self and community. We’re able to engage communities we might not be able to reach through traditional service streams,” explained Hannah.
Their progress
This year, eight in-school sessions across 20 schools were held, which included an alcohol and other drug (AOD) information session. A two-night camp was also held for participants along with two weekend excursions, a cultural painting workshop and a trip to watch the Bulldogs play at Marvel Stadium.
“This year, it went really well. We’ve just been building on it each year since we’ve partnered with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) as part of the LDAT program. We hope to continue the growth, it was a huge year this year,” said Hannah.
“There’s been a big increase in participants since the schools have become more involved. They’re committed to supporting First Nations students and because of that we’ve been able to engage and reach more young people and support their journey of leadership development.
“Last year we had 50 graduates. This year we had 88 students graduate, and over 100 participants in at least one session.”
The LDAT has received lots of positive feedback from everyone involved.
Of the teachers, 100% said they would recommend students do the program. And, the First Nations participants reported that they could connect to peers they wouldn’t have been able to meet before, and they learnt more about their culture and community.
They also reported that they were exposed to local services like Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and were more aware of what’s out there to support them.
For the young people, the program was something to look forward to. The biggest thing for them was to be able to do activities together with other First Nations students and have that sense of community.
Advice to other LDATs
The Sons and Daughters of the West LDAT has partnered with the ADF for around four years, and just completed its fourth Community Action Plan.
Hannah’s advice to other LDATs is that it’s important to connect in with other orgs in your area that are focussed on AOD awareness.
“Connect in with local services that young people trust. Even after the program is completed, linking them in with services that can help with things such as smoking and vaping is so important.”
Hannah also recommends making the most of the support from ADF staff.
“We share the amazing info that the ADF has provided and utilise their tools and networks. It helps increase the impact we have long term. I always bug Darcie, our ADF Relationship Manager, for resources like posters that I could put up, to share the harm prevention messaging that ADF offers.
“We’re really pleased with how our partnership with ADF through the LDAT program has grown, and how being able to work together has allowed us to impact more young people. We’re looking forward to continuing to expand the program.”
Koori Heritage Trust, Kirrip House (Melton Aboriginal Cooperative), Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative, Victoria University, Western Health, Victoria Police, Wurundjeri Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, Western Bulldogs, Dardi Munwurro, Djirra, Maribyrnong City Council, Brimbank City Council, Wyndham City Council, VACCA (Melton), VACSAL (Ballarat), VAHS, local high schools, Headspace, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, CDC Victoria, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, Department of Education, Greater Western Water, Community Bank Buninyong, Edmund Rice Services – Mt Atkinson, and Parks Victoria.