Media Release

23 December 2008

Christmas gift for remote Northern Territory communities

Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, today said it will be a brighter Christmas and New Year for kids in remote Northern Territory communities, with the donation of much needed sporting equipment from Centrelink and Medicare Australia.

As part of the ‘Kicking Goals for the NT’ Footy Gear Drive, staff at Centrelink and Medicare have been collecting equipment from all football codes.

“Nearly 2500 items of footy gear are now being distributed to kids in remote communities, including boots, shirts, shorts and footballs,” Senator Ludwig said.

“This program is designed to help kids and their families support a healthy and active lifestyle in remote communities.”

“The Australia Government is committed to making significant and measurable improvements to the health of all Australians, particularly Indigenous Australians.”

Senator Ludwig said the idea for the drive came from Centrelink staff and since it was launched in October, thousands of items of sporting equipment had been collected.

“The Footy Gear Drive is a great example of staff going the ‘extra mile’ to provide assistance and support to people in remote communities,” Senator Ludwig said.

Toll Logistics has generously donated its services to transport the footy gear to Centrelink offices in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Remote communities in the NT will continue receiving footy gear early next year.

To order a copy of the video news release please contact Centrelink on 0411 670 958.

Media Contact

Sarah Cosson — 0423 823 843