The program applied for federal Indigenous Advancement Strategy funding and was informed in early March their application had been unsuccessful. 

Government funding has previously provided critical workplace qualifications for jobs after graduation.

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce is visiting the school today at 1.30pm to meet with the staff and program director Matthew Pye. 

There are 32 students currently enrolled; 27 are indigenous, one is a female and 22 come from Inverell.

Crossing the Divide relies upon about $160,000 a year in a variety of self-written grants to operate. Recent figures reflect it costs the NSW government about $230,000 per year to incarcerate a young person. 

Many of the students from ages 16 to 32, who enrol with the program are at-risk young men who make a conscious decision to turn their lives around. Some have already have been involved with the justice system and chose to make a change.

Steering committee member Carolyn McMullen met with Mr Joyce last week to discuss the situation. She felt the loss of funding to the program was a blow.

“It’s mainly involved at re-engaging people who have been disengaged either in the school community or in society in general, with the aim of provide them with skills and qualifications to enable them to gain useful employment,” Ms McMullen said.

Crossing the Divide provides students with a life skills HSC and qualifications in automotive, metals and engineering, forklift, excavation, front-end loader, and skid steer tickets, a white card, first aid, chemical handling, working at heights and confined spaced, and a NSW driver’s license. Ms McMullen said the program also provides life skills, counselling, career pathways advising and mentoring.

“Showing them that they are worthwhile members of society, and if they put the effort in, the future can be bright and not just stuck in the same rut of unemployment,” she said.

Ros Edmonds is another steering committee member. She recognised the value of creating equity in education opportunities.

“Just because they don’t fit into the normal school program, they still deserve to have the same chance.”

“I have a disabled daughter. She still deserves the same chance as anyone that’s not disabled, and these Aboriginal guys and the white people that attend the program are no different. They deserve that chance.”

Ms McMullen said she was determined to fight for Crossing the Divide.

“This is a great program. It’s producing real results. It’s not some airy-fairy, fluffy program that ticks all the boxes but really doesn’t produce anything.”