Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program
Supporting and empowering regional Aboriginal communities.
The NSW Government’s Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program (RAPP) improves social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal communities across regional NSW.
The RAPP works to address the Closing the Gap Priority Reform Five – Employment, Business Growth, and Economic Prosperity.
The program empowers Aboriginal people within NSW to access pathways through education, training, employment and business support to reach their aspirations.
The RAPP program builds on strong cultural connections to achieve positive economic, social, cultural, and emotional outcomes and establish focused partnerships with Aboriginal youth, schools, and businesses to support more meaningful and stable employment outcomes.
There are 16 Aboriginal Partnership Managers (APMs) based across regional NSW who deliver the RAPP. The Deputy Director of the RAPP, Andrew Higgins, oversees the program and its statewide initiatives that impact multiple communities and businesses. The RAPP team live in community, are connected to Country, and work with their local community to co-design programs and initiatives that will suit each region’s needs and aspirations.
Aboriginal organisations and businesses can contact their local APM (see contact details below) to discuss their goals and pathways that may assist them.
Contact an Aboriginal Partnership Manager
Aboriginal Partnership Managers (APMs) bring an Aboriginal cultural lens and process when working with Aboriginal businesses, organisations, and communities in regional NSW as part of the RAPP.
APMs partner with Aboriginal organisations and businesses and help them identify and achieve their goals by:
- providing information and referrals to support services
- connecting them with government staff
- proactively seeking opportunities to build relationships within community
- exploring opportunities to successfully apply for funding.
Connect with your local Aboriginal Partnership Manager to find out more about the support available to Aboriginal organisations and businesses.
North Coast
- Kerrie-Anne Maunder - kerrie-anne.maunder@regional.nsw.gov.au
Hunter Central Coast
- Central Coast - Emma Markwell - emma.markwell@regional.nsw.gov.au
- Hunter - Paul Douglas - paul.douglas@regional.nsw.gov.au
Illawarra Shoalhaven
- Illawarra - Scott Morgan - scott.morgan@regional.nsw.gov.au
- Shoalhaven - Rebecca Phillis - rebecca.phillis@regional.nsw.gov.au
South East
- South Coast and Snowy Mountains - Sarah Gorst – sarah.gorst@regional.nsw.gov.au
- Hilltops and Tablelands - Brett Ashby – brett.ashby@regional.nsw.gov.au
Riverina Murray
- Daniel Brunswick – daniel.brunswick@regional.nsw.gov.au
Central West
- Lindsay Hall – lindsay.hall@regional.nsw.gov.au
- Kylie Provest - kylie.provest@regional.nsw.gov.au
Orana Far West
For information on this region, please contact:
- Daine Cox – daine.cox@regional.nsw.gov.au
New England North West
- Sara Abberton (Byrnes) - sara.abberton@regional.nsw.gov.au
- Hollie Crawford - hollie.crawford@regional.nsw.gov.au
Deputy Director Aboriginal Partnerships (state-wide)
- Andrew Higgins – andrew.higgins@regional.nsw.gov.au
Successful grant recipients
Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program grant recipients (XLSX 38.72KB).
The Department of Regional NSW is committed to making a positive difference for Aboriginal people in regional NSW and embedding Aboriginal inclusion in everything we do. Discover more about DRNSW’s Aboriginal Outcomes Strategy here.