Yuwaya Ngarra-li – ‘Vision’.CLD Centre Align

"The Dharriwaa Elders will lead a collaboration with UNSW and other supporters to grow our individual and community strengths and assets. We aim to restore a robust belonging to thriving families, community and country, while making our place in the nation and sharing our learning with other communities". Dharriwaa Elders Group, Walgett.

The purpose of Yuwaya Ngarra-li is for the Dharriwaa Elders Group (DEG) and UNSW to work in partnership to improve the wellbeing, social, built and physical environment and life pathways of Aboriginal people in Walgett through collaborating on evidence-based programs, research projects and capacity building, and to evaluate this model of CommUNIty-Led Development as a way of working with other Aboriginal communities.

Yuwaya Ngarra-li is an initiative that will promote two-way learning between Walgett's Dharriwaa Elders Group and a range of UNSW faculties, with long term academic leadership by Professor Eileen Baldry and keenly supported by Vice-Chancellor Ian Jacobs

Warning: Images of deceased persons may appear. Yuwaalaraay / Gamilaraay pronunciation guide.

Aidan Alexander and his partner Romy lunching with DEG July 2016

UNSW honours student Aidan Alexander was invited to Walgett to work with DEG to scope energy needs of Walgett's Aboriginal community from early 2016.

DEG wanted evidence for why energy is increasingly driving poverty in Walgett. Key recommendations of Aidan Alexander's report include the need for a community-based energy troubleshooter position, replacement of energy-guzzling older appliances, housing repairs, insulation and solar solutions. Outcomes so far include NSW Aboriginal Housing Office rolling out solar to their Walgett and other NSW social housing, and considering the energy efficiency of their ageing housing stock. Yuwaya Ngarrali is building upon this project and working towards all Walgett social housing "going solar" including solar storage solutions, housing insulation and a showcase energy-efficient social housing building design trial project. Stay tuned!