Healthy living on menu

Storm clouds may have opened up across the Pilbara but they didn’t drench the spirits of young children who welcomed Ngurra Kujungka’s first School Holiday Program in the new year.

Ngurra Kujungka has developed an extensive program of activities to be rolled out in school holidays throughout the year across all Western Desert communities, comprising Warralong, Punmu, Kunawarritiji, Parnngurr, Jigalong and Nullagine.

The holiday program secured funding from the Criminal Property Confiscation Grants Program through the Department of the Attorney General, Newcrest Mining Limited, and Healthway.

Over five days in January, Indigenous Sports Development Officer Callan Hatchman, together with Martu Recreation Officers Julie Toby and Linton Allen, started activities with children in the Warralong community.

The week-long program included sport and recreation activities such as dodge ball, basketball, football, swimming and cricket, along with painting and drawing.

A primary objective of Ngurra Kujungka’s Martu School Holiday Program is to promote a healthy lifestyle among children and families in Western Desert communities.

Healthy cooking classes were also conducted, which included discussions about a healthy diet, and the harms of smoking.

The children enjoyed being involved in preparing food and learnt valuable life lessons.

Ngurra Kujungka arranged the Shire of East Pilbara’s Coordinator of Community Development, Ian Wray, to visit Warralong last Wednesday and set up a movie night in the community.

The children watched the Secret Life of Pets on the big screen, having earlier cooked up a storm during cooking classes.

Ngurra Kujungka’s School Holiday Program will be heading to Nullagine, Jigalong, Kunawarritji and Punmu in the April school holidays with even more exciting activities scheduled to take place.