Empowered Communities

Empowered Communities is a national initiative that fosters Indigenous-led, local-driven decision-making to create a more balanced relationship between Aboriginal communities and government. With the support of the Australian Government, Empowered Communities organisations are supporting Indigenous leadership and taking responsibility for the economic, social, and cultural development of Aboriginal communities across Australia.

Our Community Voice

As the Empowered Community ‘backbone organisation’ for the Central Coast, Barang acts as the regional voice for our Opt-in Member organisations and for the Aboriginal community living on Darkinjung country. We engage with State and Federal governments to increase funding and investment in our Central Coast community, and collaborate with our fellow Empowered Communities organisations and partners to advocate for policy reform. We create safe spaces for the voices of our community to be heard by government. 

Advancing Regional Development

Drawing on our Annual Community Survey and Annual Youth Survey, Barang develops a Regional Development Agenda that reflects the priorities of our community and informs policy development on the issues that matter to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on Darkinjung country, including:

  • Health and wellbeing, 
  • Connection to culture and community
  • Economic and social independence
  • Support for families.
A circular diagram with "Culture & Leadership" at the center, encircled by "Support for families," "People are healthy & well," "Opportunities for connection," and "Economic & social independence." Outer ring includes: structural reform, investment, services, decision making. Embodying Indigenous-Led Community Development in the Central Coast.
A group of 13 people stands outdoors on a sunny day, arranged in front of trees and a banner. They appear to be at the Connected Beginnings Program Launch on Darkinjung Country, with some smiling and others looking at the camera. A child in the front is holding a small plant, suggesting a community gathering.

Fostering Indigenous Leadership

Barang works closely with our member organisations to attract government investment and create opportunities for collaboration and leadership. This includes developing strategic partnerships with non-government partners including NGOs, academic, and corporate sectors. 

We have established strategic partnership with the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka­ institute, Indigenous Data Network (University of Melbourne) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) through the establishment of our Regional Aboriginal Data Network, Ngiyang Wayama. 

At a local level we maintain working level partnerships with the Central Coast Community Legal Centre, Regional Youth Support Services, University of Newcastle, Central Coast Aboriginal interagency network, and Aboriginal and employment interagency.

Acknowledgement

Barang Regional Alliance acknowledges the Darkinjung People as the traditional owners, caretakers and custodians of the lands, seas and waterways of the Central Coast – the land in which we live, work and operate.

Barang Regional Alliance also acknowledges Traditional Owners, Caretakers and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the significance of continued and ongoing connection to lands, sea, water and culture. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to our Elders, both past and present. 

Please note that this website may contain images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples that are deceased and acknowledge that this may cause distress for some people. Barang has been granted full permission to utilise all images contained within and we respectfully request that no image, text or information is replicated or used from this website, or any documents contained within, without first seeking full permission from Barang Regional Alliance in writing. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions in relation to this.