Media Release
Hockey announces new Indigenous Ambassador
Minister for Human Services, The Hon. Joe Hockey MP, has announced Australian women’s touch football champion Bo de la Cruz has joined the Department of Human Services Indigenous Ambassadors Programme.
Minister Hockey made the announcement during his week-long visit to South Australia and Western Australia to receive a first hand briefing on some of the specialist services developed by Human Services agencies for Indigenous communities.
“Bo is our first female Ambassador and we’re delighted to have her on board. As a successful young woman, she’s a wonderful role model for Indigenous teenagers,” Minister Hockey said.
Bo de la Cruz has played touch football since she was 12 years old. Since then she has represented Australia numerous times, and now plays in the Australian Open Women’s team. She has also been recognised with many national awards including National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sportswoman of the Year and NAIDOC Sportsperson of the Year.
Bo said she’s honoured to be part of the Indigenous Ambassador Programme.
“My sport has given me the opportunity to work with Indigenous kids, which has also taught me a lot about myself and my culture. As an Ambassador, I hope to be able to inspire others to strive to be the best they can be,” Bo said.
“The Indigenous Ambassador’s Programme is going from strength to strength,” Minister Hockey said.
“Bo will work alongside rugby league legend Arthur Beetson and Australia ’s fastest sprint hurdler and Olympian Kyle Vander-Kuyp to spread the word about the government services available in Indigenous communities.”
“The Ambassadors play a very important role working with Indigenous communities to improve their understanding and access to health and social services. They then provide feedback to the agencies and myself about how this can be strengthened.”
The DHS Indigenous Ambassadors represent six government agencies, Centrelink, Medicare Australia, the Child Support Agency, Australian Hearing, CRS Australia and Health Services Australia.
Media Contact: Wendy Black - 0437 978 028.