ENDURING PARTNERSHIP WINS NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY AWARD
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation has been recognised alongside the CAGES Foundation in this year’s Australian Philanthropy Awards winning the 2021 Indigenous Philanthropy Award.
The awards were presented at a virtual ceremony on Tuesday with attendees linking in throughout Australia.
They recognise and celebrate extraordinary achievements in contemporary philanthropy for work that is visionary, that has high impact and is transformative.
The awards also celebrate partnerships between philanthropy and for-purpose organisations, and recognise those who are working to create lasting, positive change.
Maari Ma CEO, Bob Davis said Maari Ma is honoured to have received the award with long term partners, the CAGES Foundation.
“Our partnership with CAGES is one of our most important and enduring ones, and their contributions have been immense to the health and well being or our communities.
“The Foundation has supported our Early Years and Healthy Start programs for the past ten years.
“From the outset, CAGES has shown a genuine interest in getting to know Maari Ma, our work, our communities and our approach to supporting the First Nations people of far west NSW.
“Foundation principals, Paul and Sandra Salteri and their family, have been visiting our organisation and communities since 2009 to see first hand the work we are doing with their support.
“The importance of their assistance cannot be under-stated - they stepped in to fund services that Maari Ma identified as being essential for the health, development and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and they did this well before any government agency recognised the need” Mr Davis said.
Initial CAGES funding in 2009 enabled Maari Ma to commence its Early Years project with a playgroup for Aboriginal families.
This has now grown to include a second playgroup, two early literacy programs in four communities, a school readiness program in three communities and a home visiting program supporting early childhood development and parenting knowledge.
“While much of this now attracts government funding, this progress would not have been possible without the early support from CAGES.
“We are indebted to them for their understanding ten years ago that real progress can only be achieved through a sustained commitment that spans far longer than government funding cycles”. Mr Davis said.
ENDS
18th November 2021
Available for interview
Tegan Hinchey-Gerard – Executive Manager Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing
08 8082 9888