The funds will provide employment for Aboriginal rangers to deliver environmental services that protect and manage Australia’s environmental and heritage values.

John Clark OAM, chief executive officer of Taree Indigenous Development and Employment (TIDE) Ltd in company with Chris Sheed OAM, manager of TIDE, announced this week that TIDE has received the contract for funding over three years through the Working on Country Regional Program.

It will deliver employment for seven full-time and an additional three part-time Aboriginal rangers from Taree, Forster, Karuah and Gloucester, Mr Clark said.

It will also expand the broad range of partnerships that TIDE has developed since its establishment in 2008.

“The project will be managed by a steering committee including Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council and Karuah Local Aboriginal Council with whom TIDE has developed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding,” he said.

Other representatives on the steering committee include the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Great Lakes Council, Gloucester Shire Council, Mid North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee and the Taree Land and Property Management Agency.

“The Working on Country Regional Project complements the tremendous support TIDE has received over the last two years,” Mr Clark said.

“We have successfully negotiated a contract with the Department of Employment Education and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to provide Job Services Australia to Taree, Forster, Karuah and Gloucester over three years and a contract with FaHCSIA to provide the community support service for Aboriginal people in Taree, Port Macquarie and Wauchope for three years.”

TIDE also receives significant funding from the Indigenous Employment Program through DEEWR to support indigenous employment.

“In addition we auspice funding from the Department of Environment Water Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) for the Gangga Marrang Art and Craft Centre which will be opening soon in Victoria Street.”

Mr Clark said that thanks to the recognition the organisation has received, TIDE now has 27 staff on the payroll of whom 65 per cent are Aboriginal.

“I would also like to thank the great team we have at TIDE for their commitment to the organisation and their constant hard work to improve the lives and opportunities of Aboriginal people in the region,” he concluded.

TIDE has recently established new offices in Pulteney Street, Taree.

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