The Midwest, Murchison and Gascoyne PaCE Coordination Project was a model developed by Bundiyarra in consultation with the Regional PaCE Stakeholder Group, and was implemented through the employment of a project Coordinator.

Following the research of this, program Bundiyarra developed up a new model of engagement to continue the support of the PaCE participates.  The new program was named called Wangga ji Manha.  This program was developed with the support of Durack Institute of Technology (MOU) and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

Bundiyarra would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by Ms Sonya Trenowden, Project Leader Education Team.  Without her support the Wangga ji Manha project would not have been a reality.  The staff, Ms Jennifer Clayton and Durack Student, Susan Eastough are also to be congratulated for their commitments to the program.

The development of MOU with Durack Institute of Technology and City of Greater Geraldton shows that strong partnerships will benefit the whole community and see future programs developed to support the needs of Indigenous Australian.

The Pace Program was completed in June 2012.  With glowing reviews from Department of Education,  Employment and Work Relations [DEEWR] with final report.

The following is a summary of the many achievements of both staff and participants;

• The program has broken down many barriers with the interaction between teaching staff and the parents.  As a result of participating in assertive training and conflict management workshops the ladies have become more confident.
• A DVD was developed in partnership with the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre and Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation to assist teaching staff to effectively engage with Aboriginal children and parents. Several of the Wangga ji Manha ladies were instrumental in the development of the DVD. - “Young Parents Voices in Education’
• A positive outcome resulting in wanting to support their children’s education was displayed in our booklet – Yamaji School Yarns - You Snooze You Lose.
• After attending and participating in two book production and storytelling workshops with Sue Hanson from the WA State Library, the parents felt the need tell their story of their education days. The parents told their stories of:  How, when, and where, they were educated. What they liked and did not like about school and their achievements. Young students were then asked to write their story of present day education and compare the difference.  The idea was to encourage the parents to listen to their children read and to read to their children.
• All parents and children drew their own illustrations throughout the booklet which was launched by the parents on NAIDOC Cultural Day celebrations at Bundiyarra in front of a huge crowd.
• Four parents attended the Parents & Citizens of the Beachlands Primary school and signed up to be on the committee to assist in the running of the canteen, so that their children could purchase affordable and healthily lunches and snacks within the school ground. The parents said “by doing this it would break down communication barriers” and would enable them to engage with teaching staff at the school a lot easier.
• Four of the parents continued on to complete the whole 28 weeks of the program, which resulted in each parent
  receiving an accredited Certificate 1, equivalent to the New Opportunities for Women Course delivered at Durack Institute of Technology.
• One particular parent who volunteered one day per week, to assist with the workload of the delivery of the workshops and to help prepare the morning tea and lunches, was paid wages
  by Bundiyarra for four weeks. This parent has enrolled in a Certificate 1V, in Community Services and is pleased to see the improved relationship with the school.