Maranguka wins national award

Contributors to the success of the Maranguka crime prevention model celebrating with the Gold Award l-r: Buddy Moore of CatholicCare, Kameli Nawaqavou of Birrang, Maranguka Acting CEO Cathy Lowe, volunteer Mark Wharton, Chair of the Bourke Tribal Council Phil Sullivan, Maranguka Executive Director Alister Ferguson, Liz Orcher of Maranguka, Graham Wright from CatholicCare, Commander of Central North Police District Acting Supt Gerard Lawson, Keren Barker of Mission Australia, and Executive Assistant Maranguka Community Hub Tanya Demmery.Photo TWH

The Maranguka Youth Support Model has received a Gold Award in the community-led category of the 2023 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPAs).

Executive Director and founder of Maranguka, Alistair Ferguson, said Maranguka was fortunate to win the award.

“I understand there were 40 applicants, and when we came out in the Gold category and it was quite overwhelming,” Mr Ferguson said.

“If I had to nominate one thing that has made Maranguka’s program a success, it all comes back to community – the involvement, engagement, and participation of community at all levels has been the factor that has helped – especially the involvement of young people, who now have a voice.

Mr Ferguson said he believes the objective and purpose of Maranguka is starting to demonstrate some positive change in the community.

“The key to Maranguka’s success is strong community collaboration, including with the Police and the PCYC and volunteers. This award is a great opportunity for other communities to see how Justice Reinvestment can drive change, as well as for policy and decision makers to recognise the value of community-led approaches to prevent crime and violence,” he said.

“In Bourke, we have been through a rigorous process of identifying all the different language groups, and traditional owners, as well as neighbouring traditional owners, bringing people together to be more inclusive,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said that Bourke is one of ten communities participating in the Stronger Places, Stronger People Initiative – a bilateral and co-investment model with the state and federal governments.[…]

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