Bedford Stock Route Walk
The Bedford Downs Stock Route Walk is a new initiative taking aim at breaking the cycle of offending behaviour in the Kimberley, and improving community safety, by providing at-risk youth with a transformative experience that reconnects them with country through culturally safe intervention.
The ‘walk’ has been successfully proposed as a alternate sentencing option with the hope of reducing the number of young people entering the correctional system, by showcasing the positives these individuals can offer back to their community.
The program comprises of two annual walks, one dedicated to a Boys Group and the other to a Girls Group, each consisting of up to 20 youths.
Accompanying them on their journey are 15 Support Crew members and local Aboriginal elders trained in their respective areas. This recurring initiative unfolds along the historic 126-kilometre Bedford Stock Route, commencing at Bedford Downs Station.
The purpose is to provide a secure and culturally enriching experience for young participants, fostering physical, emotional, and cultural well-being. The program is strategically designed to facilitate healing, establish support networks, and uncover opportunities for a brighter future.
Sponsors and Partners:
This initiative has received extensive community support from various stakeholders, with NIAA being the main contributor. East Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunan Foundation’s director and Cultural Lead Lexie Trancollino, WA Police, Youth Justice Services, 54 Reasons, PCYC, Edge Adventures, LifeChanger, East Kimberley College, MG Corporation, B Visual Media, and Wunan Foundation and its subsidiaries Wunan Media and Wunan Maintenance have also played significant roles. The program has attracted sponsorship from businesses, including 54 Reasons, Galvin’s Plumbing Supplies, and Outback Initiatives, underscoring the widespread commitment to creating positive change for at-risk youth in the East Kimberley.
Make a Contribution:
Corporate Sponsorship Prospectus - PDF
Contact Information:
Photo credits: Ted O'Connor, ABC News