Indigenous Wellness Initiatives and Girls' Leadership Programs Show Early Success in Western Australia

BROOME, AU — Significant progress is being reported across several Indigenous-led community initiatives in Western Australia, including a new empowerment program for young women and a successful federal wellness scheme for men in remote areas. On Wednesday, 1 July 2026, Broome Primary School officially launched its partnership with Shooting Stars, a program designed to bolster the confidence and school attendance of female Aboriginal students. The initiative focuses on social and emotional wellbeing activities to empower young women. Shooting Stars executive officer Helen Ockerby emphasized the importance of the community-led model, noting that local Aboriginal women in Broome play a central role in keeping students connected to their education. In a separate development, the Department of Social Services (DSS) shared positive data regarding men’s wellness centres operating across the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Launched 18 months ago with a $12 million federal commitment, these centres aim to address domestic violence rates by providing yarning sessions and workshops on parenting and healthy relationships. The DSS reports that the program has seen strong engagement and regular attendance in remote Aboriginal communities. According to department findings, these sessions are already contributing to positive community changes. A formal evaluation of the program’s long-term effectiveness is expected to be delivered in 2027. Further south in the Pilbara, the City of Karratha is advancing plans for a new sealed access road through Murujuga National Park. City chief executive Virginia Miltrup confirmed that the design for the road, which replaces a four-wheel-drive track closed four years ago, is approximately 80 per cent complete. The project is expected to go to tender within the current financial year, restoring access to local beaches on the Burrup Peninsula.