NEEDAC stand out at NAIDOC awards

An impressive partnership by several groups to give Noongar people job opportunities in the South West has earned a Bunbury organisation a National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee award.

Bunbury-based Aboriginal enterprise development organisation NEEDAC won Community Project of the Year in the 2015 South West NAIDOC Awards.

Chief executive officer Jayson Sandiford said the award was a reflection of the importance and significance of partnerships with local groups to creating opportunities.

"It's about a collective impact approach and program development for Aboriginal people in our community," he said.

NEEDAC's award-winning project was a collaboration with South West Catchments Council and South West Institute of Technology.

Mr Sandiford said investment and support from both organisations provided for ongoing local employment pathways for Noongar people.

SWCC community engagement program manager Nerilee Boshammer said the project involved several smaller projects, including the installation of rabbit-proof fencing at Tuart Brook, by 10 Noongar students.

"It's a credit to those students who took part in the program," she said.

"Being involved in this project and seeing the personal and professional growth of the participants has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career."

Part of the project involved students going on to complete paid word through NEEDAC as their employer.