Aboriginal Programmes

Aboriginal Driving Programme

The Aboriginal driving programme is a FREE programme available to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people who:
- Need help with literacy and numeracy so they can succeed in the RTA Driver Knowledge test
- Need help with State Debt Recovery Orders (SDRO) and Work Development Orders (WDO)
- Hold a learners permit and require driving lessons
- Need a license ready assessment and a lesson with the instructor prior to going for their license in one of our ACE college cars.

ACE Community Colleges in Lismore and Casino have managed the Aboriginal Driver Programme since 2001 with considerable success rates.

There is a continuous enrolment for this course, which runs throughout the year as a unit from an accredited training package.

A driving licence gives more opportunities for Aboriginal people to gain employment and have the same opportunities as all Australians. ACE Community Colleges believe that our Aboriginal Driver Programme helps to address the inequality that exists in the larger community for Aboriginal people. We are committed to increasing the numbers of licenced drivers in remote communities and reduce the number of unlicenced Aboriginal drivers on the North Coast roads.

For further information call Jan Levy, Outreach Programmes Co-ordinator on 6621 6777 or 0429 423116.

Balund-a Outreach Education

Balund-a is an innovative residential diversionary programme for male and female offenders between 18 and 40 years of age. Located in the Bundjalung Nation, the programme’s aim is to reduce re-offending and enhance skills within a cultural and supportive community environment and support residents into employment.

'Bugilmah Burube Wullinje Balund-a' is an aboriginal term, and roughly translated means 'be good now you have a second chance down by the river'.

ACE Community Colleges work in partnership with other organisations providing training in work readiness, driver education, hospitality, cultural arts and other skills. Utilising the talents of Aboriginal Elders we also facilitate language classes, helping to create links with their culture.

We work closely with residents to identify personal and professional goals, providing support and guidance both at the facility, into employment and beyond. The result - a group of enthusiastic, skilled and qualified people ready to join our local workforce.

For further information call Natalie Hannah, Balund-a Programme Co-ordinator, on 6621 6777.

Cultural Arts Training

ACE Community College run Certificate courses I, II, III & IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Art.

The art programmes are offered on Aboriginal communities, land councils and cultural centres. The trainers and assessors are all practising Aboriginal artists. 

For further information call Jan Levy, Outreach Programmes Co-ordinator on 6621 6777 or 0429 423116