The Victorian Coalition Government has joined forces with the Collingwood Football Club to expand the club’s successful Barrawarn Indigenous Employment Program.

In announcing the new initiative Collingwood Football Club President Eddie McGuire said the Barrawarn Program will be extended with the key aim of establishing 35 long term jobs for Indigenous Australians living in Victoria.

“This is a great boost for our program and a tremendous initiative by the State Government. I would like to commend Minister Asher and the Victorian Government on their vision and commitment to tackling disadvantage and supporting Aboriginal Victorians in our community.”

Minister for Employment and Trade Louise Asher said the program forms part of the Government’s commitment to delivering better economic outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians through collaborations with industry and the AFL.

“Critical partnerships such as this will ensure increased access to jobs and incomes that are vital to us kicking goals as a united Victorian community.

“I congratulate Collingwood Football Club, as together we address the challenges facing Aboriginal people and seek to close the gaps.”

The aim of the Collingwood Barrawarn Program is to empower young Indigenous Australians through employment and educational opportunities. ‘Barrawarn’ is a Woi wurrung (the language of the Wurundjeri people) word for Magpie.

Mr McGuire also announced today that Andrew Krakouer would become the ambassador for the Barrawarn program.

“We are delighted to have our brilliant young forward Andrew Krakouer as an ambassador for the program where he will work as a mentor for the young people who participate.

“Collingwood is the biggest sporting club in Australia. It is important that we continue to leverage that position to promote reconciliation and empower Indigenous Australians.”

Background Information
- The Collingwood Barrawarn Program is an Indigenous Employment and Education Program managed by the Collingwood Football Club Foundation in partnership with AFL Sportsready.

- Last year the Collingwood Football Club Foundation committed funding of $500,000 over three years for the Barrawarn Program. The program has been a great success providing educational and employment support for 15 young indigenous Australians in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

- The CFC Foundation has received a grant of $350,000 from the Victorian Government to expand the program over the next 18 months.

- Funding from the Victorian Government will allow Collingwood to expand the program, working in partnership with the Government, Collingwood business partners and sponsors, and AFL Sportsready to achieve 35 new sustainable work placements for Indigenous Australians over the next 18 months.

-  The Collingwood Football Club Foundation has been established to oversee the development and management of the Collingwood Football Club Community Centre at Victoria Park and the club’s many community partnerships, programs and initiatives.

-  AFL Sportsready provides pre-employment training, on-going support and mentoring for participants and cultural awareness training for employers. AFL Sportsready is a not for profit employment and training organisation dedicated to providing meaningful employment opportunities for young people. AFL Sportsready has extensive experience and expertise in providing support for young Indigenous Australians. Over 1,000 Indigenous trainees have been placed in employment since 1995.

-  Collingwood will work with the State Government and AFL Sportsready to identify and support organisations to create new Indigenous Employment programs.