Six First Nations projects across the Clarence Valley have been approved and will get a healthy kickstart from $800,000 in funding from the NSW Government.

Nationals Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin was joined by Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis and local Indigenous leaders for the announcement at Yamba Museum’s Storey House last Tuesday.

Projects in the Yamba area will benefit with $450,000 invested in initiatives by the Yaegl Traditional Owners and the Birrigan Gargle Local Aboriginal Land Council.

The Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation will buy a bus to help locals get around and will also receive funding for an exciting cultural education and employment training initiative.

The Birrigan Gargle Local Aboriginal Land Council has been awarded funding for a bus to support their members for transport to functions ranging from medical appointments to funerals.

Two other buses will be bought for the Gurehlgam Corporation and the Jana Ngalee Local Aboriginal Land Council, solving a multitude of transport issues in the community, in particular the two remote communities of Malabugulmah and Baryulgil.

Mr Gulaptis said the Baryulgil Cemetery was a special place for local Indigenous people and $85,000 would be invested to build a shelter and storytelling place there.

“The courage, creativity and initiative of Aboriginal people in the Clarence should be encouraged and supported and that is why my North Coast Nationals friend and NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin, and I are so excited about these new grants,” Mr Gulaptis said.

Mr Franklin, a North Coast-based Nationals Member of the NSW Legislative Council, said that working hand in hand with Aboriginal people since he had been appointed as the Minister representing them in the NSW Government was a huge privilege.

“I am grateful for your friendship, and you can always count on me to fight for you in Sydney,” Minister Franklin said.