Media Release 2 November 2015

Youth in Dalby and Oakey are set to embark on the Big Buddy project funded under the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet until December 2017.

Goondir Health Services' CEO Floyd Leedie said the funding under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy will respond to substance use and misuse and resultant reduced educational and employment outcomes.

"The Big Buddy project will target Indigenous youth aged 12-17 years. The project will focus on healthy communities, school retention, employment opportunities and positive social opportunities", he said.

"Last week Scott Webb commenced with us as the Big Buddy Project Coordinator. He will work with youth, schools, the Clontarf Foundation, health professionals and other stakeholders to develop a holistic model for Dalby and Oakey."

Goondir's newly appointed Project Coordinator Scott Webb is excited about working with youth in Dalby and Oakey, leading to improved lives.

"The Big Buddy project has the vision of connecting young Indigenous people to their cultural roots. It will aim to help and encourage them to build their self-respect, self-worth and self-identity, giving them the ability to increase their life opportunities through better health and education outcomes", he said.

"To this position I bring a wide range of knowledge and support from living and working in big cities, playing professional sports to learning and living traditionally and culturally on the land. Having been given this opportunity to help support and develop our local youth, I hope to support our youth, not just at school but in the wider community."

Goondir Health Services Big Buddy Project Coordinator Scott Webb is a Tharawal born man and recognised Aboriginal man from the Dharuk and Gundungurra nation, the Dharawal nation. He is also a descendant of the traditional owners of the central desert Anangu people (Uluru).

Media contact: Louise Sanderson 0437 100 759