Projects
At BBY, we believe in the power of community-led change. Through our brokerage funding model, we help connect grassroots initiatives with the financial support they need to thrive. By facilitating access to funding, BBY enables local leaders and organizations to bring their visions to life Together, we're building a future shaped by the communities themselves. In this section you can find more information about our current projects and their progress.
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The Community-led Support Fund (CSF) has been developed based on the East Kimberley Local Services Plan, developed by the Department of Social Services based on stakeholder feedback about identified service gaps in the region in the wake of ending of the Cashless Debit Card program in 2022.
BBY has partnered with DSS to administer funding to community organisations in the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley (SWEK), with the objective of supporting services in line with findings from the East Kimberley (SWEK) Local Services Plan.
The purpose of the CSF grant opportunity is to:
Provide short-term funding that meets the immediate needs identified in the Plans
Support the implementation or expansion of support services aligned with community needs.
The following thematic areas are featured in the Local Services Plan for the East Kimberley (SWEK) and are in scope to be addressed through the Community-led Support Fund:
Family and domestic violence support services
Alcohol and drug support services
Emergency relief and financial capability building support services
Child, youth, and family support services
Progress Update
Following confirmation of approved activities in December 2023, initial funding was distributed to community organisations in January 2024, with service delivery running through to June 2024. In response to ongoing community needs, additional funding was provided by the Department of Social Services (DSS) in June and again in September 2024, extending support through to the end of December 2024. In March 2025, DSS approved a further extension of the Community-led Support Fund, allowing funded activities to continue through to 30 June 2026.
Currently funded activities:
Kununurra Youth Support Accommodation Facility (Wunan Foundation Inc.)
Financial Capability & Emergency Relief Project (Wunan Foundation Inc.)
KNX Youth Patrol & Family Support Pilot Project (Yawoorrroong Miriuwung Gajerrong Yirrgie Noong Dawang Aboriginal Corporation)
The Wyndham Youth & Family Support Project (Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation)
Contact
For more information, please click here or contact Binarri-binyja yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation:
(08) 9169 2272 | info@bby.org.au
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The Closing the Gap Outcomes and Evidence Fund is a national initiative supporting First Nations communities to co-design, trial, and evaluate projects that address key social challenges. The Fund specifically targets reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45% and decreasing the rate of family violence and abuse against women and children by at least 50% by 2031. It also includes support for First Nations people with disabilities.
An expert panel, including representatives from the Coalition of Peaks, helped shape the Fund’s design. It is currently being implemented in eight communities across Australia, with suitable service providers engaged to deliver trial projects tailored to local needs.
In the East Kimberley region, BBY has been granted the opportunity to broker the funds.
Progress Update
BBY has conducted workshops with local organisations and service providers to identify community needs and collaboratively design services that are culturally appropriate and effective.
Among the applicants, NAAC (Ngnowar Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation) has been successful in securing funding to deliver its proposed project.
Other applications are still under assessment, with outcomes to be announced as the evaluation process continues.
As part of the agreement with the Department of Social Services (DSS), external evaluators will be engaged to assist local service providers in delivering and assessing the impact of their initiatives. For this fund, the evaluation will be conducted by Yaran Business Services Pty Ltd.
Contact
For more information, please contact Binarri-binyja yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation:
(08) 9169 2272 | projects@bby.org.au
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The Drug and Alcohol Program grant supports the delivery of alcohol and other drug treatment services in Ceduna, Bundaberg-Hervey Bay, East Kimberley, and the Goldfields. It forms part of the Australian Government’s broader efforts to improve preventive health and chronic disease support through targeted, community-based services.
Progress Update
In the East Kimberley, BBY has already held two co-design workshops to help shape the services that will be provided in the region. Proposals are now being prepared with a potential partnership of ACCOs in the horizon.
As part of the agreement with the Department of Social Services (DSS), external evaluators will be engaged to assist local service providers in delivering and assessing the impact of their initiatives. For this fund, the evaluation will be conducted by Nous Group Pty Ltd.
Contact
For more information, please contact Binarri-binyja yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation:
(08) 9169 2272 | projects@bby.org.au
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Connected Beginnings is a program that draws upon the strengths and knowledge of Indigenous communities to improve education, health and wellbeing outcomes for children aged 0-5 years; improve access to existing early childhood, maternal and child health and family support services to ensure that children are safe, healthy and ready to thrive at school by the age of five; and increase children and families’ engagement with early childhood education, care and health services.
Connected Beginnings is jointly funded by the Department of Education and Department of Health and Aged Care. As the education backbone, BBY’s role is:
to engage with families and community to identify barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children engaging in early education
work with stakeholders to better tailor services that respond to community
to strengthen service integration by bringing together early years education, health and family support services to improve outcomes for children (e.g. early years working groups, co-design group)
to develop warm referral pathways between services
to strengthen organisations that contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children school readiness
to support organisations with programs aimed towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in the early years
Progress Update
BBY will work together with Health Partner, Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Services (OVAHS), to begin engagement with early years playgroups. Plans are underway to support the establishment of a Community Leadership Group that will provide governance oversight and strategic guidance for the Connected Beginnings (CB) program. This partnership ensures the leadership group is rooted in local knowledge, culturally appropriate, and reflective of the aspirations of East Kimberley communities.
The group will play a critical role in guiding decision-making, promoting community-led priorities, and strengthening accountability across the program’s implementation.
For anyone interested in joining, please contact Calyca at earlyyears@bby.org.au.
BBY plan to roll the program out to Halls Creek in early-2026 and Wyndham in mid-2026.