“Before Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation came to Mount Magnet, there was pretty much nothing for our children. Now our kids love to keep active, kick the footy, play around and love eating their fruit. And it’s not just footy they’re learning – it’s how to be a team, how to cooperate. They’re learning how to help each other and lead.” – Cecilia Kelly.
Mount Magnet is the hometown of Badimaya woman Cecilia Kelly, Shire Councillor and proud employee of the Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation (GSAC). GSAC runs programs throughout the Midwest, helping Aboriginal children and young people stay active, connected and healthy.
In Mount Magnet, GSAC’s team run the local youth centre, including pool and footy programs tailored for summer and winter. In the colder months, the kids are at footy training two nights per week, with weekend competitions and excursions to towns like Mullewa and Yalgoo for league matches.
Ms Kelly sees the impact firsthand.
“We see the excitement in the kids when they return from the games. A number of them are kicking between five and ten goals and getting best on ground. So, I think they must feel good inside to perform that good. And families have been travelling and watching too,” she said.
Like the pool, footy is used as an incentive for kids to do well at school and in the community – and GSAC isn’t the only one noticing the difference.
“We get comments from teachers and people in the community about the changes in the kids – like they’ve been good at school. Today I went to an assembly and several of our footy players received certificates, which to me says they’re really trying.”
For Healthway, championing GSAC shows what can be achieved by backing homegrown solutions over the long term – with Mount Magnet kicking goals on and off the field. Ms Kelly believes it’s a model that can be adopted anywhere.
“For any other communities around the state that are struggling to engage children or youth in programs, they should look at what GSAC is modelling here. They’ve not only brought programs and events for our children but created employment for our local people on Country. It’s an honour for me to wear this badge, work in my hometown, make a difference to these children and bring joy to their lives,” she said.
