Foundation Launches First Rural Enterprise Program.

Equips indigenous youth with valuable skills making them work-ready; Brings hope to surrounding Cherbourg community.

Wondai, August 23, 2006 - The Silver Lining Foundation, an independent not for profit organization that supports youth who need a second chance, today launched its first Iron Bark Ridge Rural Services Program.

Iron Bark Ridge Services offers young Indigenous people employment and on the job training opportunities. Located in Wondai, it supports young people from the local Indigenous Cherbourg community.

The young people learn the skills involved in fencing and cattle yard constructon.

The image above shows some of the young people in the Rural enterprise near the first class fence they completed with Iron Bark Ridge Services Manager, Danny Hoogstraten.

Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations the Hon. John Mickel MP, said issues of child abuse, neglect and violence in Indigenous communities could not be ignored, but while many people were talking about the problems, he had yet to hear of a solution. The Minister said "This organization (The Silver Lining Foundation) is trying to provide that solution".

The Foundation is seeking corporate partnerships to sponsor the development of the Enterprises at Iron Bark Ridge Services. The Foundation welcomes both financial and in-kind support in the form of capital equipment and in return, offers corporations the opportunity to be part of an exciting innovation to equip Indigenous youth with the skills and attributes to participate fully in the wider Australian workforce.

If you would like the opportunity to be part of this exciting venture, and perhaps offer young Indigenous people who complete the traineeships employment opportunities, please contact CEO Mike O'Neill on 07 3310 8890.

About The Silver Lining Foundation
Founded in 1999, The Silver Lining Foundation is an independent not for profit organisation that gives a second chance to youth who are experiencing difficulties in mainstream Australia. Silver Lining Foundation Limited has been granted charity tax exemption and Public Benevolent Institution status by the Australian Taxation Office and has been approved as a charity by the Office of Fair Trading Queensland (No 1551) for donation collection purposes. The Foundation's Patron is The Hon Ian Callinan A.C., former Justice of the High Court of Australia.