Funds to support wellbeing flow in NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC WEEK
Wujal Justice Group, near the tip of Cape York, is among a group of organisations to share in $3m of grants aimed at strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, announced by the State Government as NAIDOC Week celebrations continue across Queensland.
Through the second round of First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing grants, seven organisations have received funding to deliver community-driven initiatives aimed at improving mental health and overall wellbeing of our First Peoples.
In addition to an overarching grant for the Queensland Mental Health Commission, localised grant funding has been awarded to organisations in Wujal Wujal, the only group in the expansive Cook Electorate to get the funding boost. Wujal Wujal also received funding in the first round.
Other regions to share in the funds include Rockhampton, Fraser Coast, Inala, Brisbane, and Ipswich.
The grants address Closing the Gap Target 14 by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have high levels of social and emotional wellbeing, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson.
“The Crisafulli Government is focused on supporting our First Peoples across Queensland and making a real impact on Closing the Gap,” Minister Simpson said.
"By providing these grants directly to organisations working in local communities, we are supporting local leaders and empowering local decision-making to drive real outcomes in improved mental health.
“We are committed to reconciliation by delivering projects, designed in partnership with Indigenous leaders, to support improvements in health, but also across education, critical infrastructure, housing, and community partnerships.
Kambu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health chief executive Simone Jackson said they were honoured to receive $400,000 in funding through the First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing grants initiative.
“The funding will be directed toward delivering a ‘Generation Well’ approach – empowering our young people with tools such as cultural connection, community belonging, and emotional resilience,” Ms Jackson said.
2025 First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing grant recipients:
- Queensland Mental Health Commission
- Wujal Justice Group (Wujal Wujal)
- Galangoor Duwalami (Fraser Coast)
- Inala Wangarra (Inala, Brisbane)
- Bidgerdii (Rockhampton)
- Gallang Place (Cannon Hill, Brisbane)
- Kambu (Ipswich)
This latest increased support follows more than $2 million provided by the Crisafulli Government to a further six organisations in the first round of First Nations Social and Emotional Wellbeing grants last year.
These were distributed between Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation, Gunya Meta, Central West Aboriginal Corporation, Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, and Wujal Wujal Justice Group Indigenous Inc.
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