The Victorian Government is prioritising the needs of young First Nations people, launching Australia’s first youth specific First Nations Gambling Awareness program on Wadawurrung Country.

Aboriginal-owned organisation Strong Brother Strong Sister has been selected to deliver the Djilang Gambling Awareness Program, which will provide support to young people affected by their own or their family’s gambling activities.

The program will receive $250,000 over 15 months to help young Wadawurrung people pursue self-determination through social, emotional, and health and wellbeing measures, with a key focus on minimising gambling harm.

Strong Brother Strong Sister is one hundred per cent Aboriginal youth-led and operated and was selected for its experience working with young people.

The organisation will engage with Elders, families, schools, sporting clubs, child protection, corrections, and other services throughout the Geelong region to provide support to individuals or families experiencing gambling-related harm.

The program will operate alongside the organisation’s existing programs, which have supported more than 2,000 First Nations young people in the Geelong community since 2017, including one-on-one mentoring and youth groups.