The Hon Julie Bishop MP - Minister for Education, Science and Training, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues

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Media Release

Strengthening Indigenous Communities - New secondary college welcomed by Tiwi Islands

9 May 2006 BUD 15/06

A new community-managed boarding college for Year 7 to 12 students will be established on Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory following the Australian Government’s contribution of a further $10 million towards its construction, as part of the 2006-07 Budget.

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, said the college will benefit up to 200 students and the Tiwi Islands community in general.

"Students have limited options for secondary schooling and need to go to boarding schools on the mainland to complete years 11 and 12, which often leads to high drop-out rates," Minister Bishop said.

"The college will have a significant impact on the Tiwi community, and will provide pathways to training and employment opportunities, wealth creation and economic independence for the Tiwi people.

"The boarding college will be based around a central facility that will provide a range of integrated services to the community including health, employment, housing, sport and recreation."

The college, to be located at Pickertaramoor, Melville Island, has widespread support from the Tiwi community and will open in 2007.

"This initiative responds to calls from the Tiwi community to provide quality schooling that recognises and accommodates the social, educational and employment aspirations of the Tiwi people and their community," Minister Bishop said.

"The college will provide a focus for community involvement in education and other services for young people and their families.

This funding builds on existing commitments of $2.9 million announced in 2005; $1.9 million from the Northern Territory Aboriginal Benefit Account (ABA); and $1 million from the Education, Science and Training portfolio.

This initiative was announced on 4 May by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Mal Brough MP.

Media Contacts
Minister Bishop’s Office:	Murray Hansen	0417 886 155
Dept of Education, Science & Training:	Virginia Cook	0412 971 323

Supporting Information

Why is this important?

This initiative provides the Tiwi community choice in education provision and its governance, and establishes a critical base for the provision of education to some 200 secondary school age children on the Tiwi Islands who currently have very limited access to secondary education.

The college has widespread support from the Tiwi community, Tiwi Land Council and the Tiwi Education Board.

It may act as a catalyst for other Indigenous communities, to consider similar models of education governance and delivery through Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA) arrangements.

Who will benefit?

When fully operational the college would enrol up to 200 students across Years 7 to 12, with targets of 80 in 2008, 120 in 2009 and up to 180 in 2010.

The initiative is based on a central facility that would provide a range of integrated services to the local community. In addition to its main role as an educational centre, the Tiwi envisage other services being run from the facility, including health, employment, housing, sport and recreation.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

The Australian Government will contribute $10 million in 2005-06 to support the construction of the college.

What have we done in the past?

This builds on a commitment of $2.9 million announced in 2005; $1.9 million from the Northern Territory Aboriginal Benefit Account (ABA); and $1 million from the Education, Science and Training portfolio.

When will the initiative conclude?

Recurrent and operational support for the college will be ongoing.