"Our vision is that Aboriginal children and young people in Walgett can learn, work, be safe, supported and thrive within a robust sense of belonging to their families, community, culture and country."
For decades, Elders and the Walgett Aboriginal community have watched, worried and grieved as their children and young people continue to be severely impacted by the legacies of violent dispossession, persistent systemic and institutional racism and failures by systems of education, care and justice that are meant to serve and protect them. The DEG identified this as an urgent priority for Yuwaya Ngarra-li.
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Walgett Youth Justice Forum
In 2018, Yuwaya Ngarra-li hosted a at Walgett high school. The aims of the Forum were to:
- Present data, evidence and information about what is known about young Aboriginal people in Walgett and the justice system
- Gather community members (young people, families, Elders) and all the critical services, organisations, and Walgett stakeholders (Police, legal and justice agencies, Walgett High School) together to discuss the needs of Aboriginal young people at risk of entering or who are already in the justice system and possible responses
- Facilitate a public forum that is action oriented and focused on positive, evidence-based solutions.
The forum was attended by more than 70 people including young people, parents, carers and representatives of Aboriginal community controlled organisations, service providers and government agencies.
Speakers included visiting and local experts, agency representatives, young people, parents and carers on what is contributing to the high rates of young Aboriginal people ending up in the justice system and what local, evidence-based strategies could work to address this and support children and young people in Walgett to thrive in their community. A Ìýincludes the many suggestions raised throughout the forum of possible strategies and solutions that could address the problems identified, and help Aboriginal young people to thrive in Walgett.
Action plan
Building on the momentum from the Youth Justice Forum, Yuwaya Ngarra-li developed anÌýÌýthrough discussions with young people, community and Walgett services.
Bulaarr Bagay Warruwi Burranba-li-gu: ‘Two River Pathway to Change’
A key focus for Yuwaya Ngarra-li has been to build and embed a holistic, community-led model to divert young people from the criminal justice system in Walgett.ÌýOur Youth Diversion Demonstration Model, named ‘Bulaarr Bagay Warruwi Burranba-li-gu’ by the DEG Elders Council, aims to create new, positive opportunities and life streams for current and future generations of Aboriginal children and young people in Walgett.Ìý
In theÌýTwo River Pathway to Change Briefing Paper, we share lessons and key findings from the implementation of the model from 2018 to 2023. It also documents reflections on what is needed toÌýÌýin Walgett long-term, including DEG's and Yuwaya Ngarra-li's contribution.
The Two River Pathway to Change model includes three interlinked strategies:Ìý
- Influencing and ensuring accountability of agencies and services
- Building and supporting community leadership and family engagement
- Working directly with children and young people.
Walgett Youth Wellbeing Service
In 2023 and 2024, the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT and the DEG embarked on a collaboration—facilitated and supported by Yuwaya Ngarra-li—to design a new Walgett Youth Wellbeing Service (YWS) for children and young people in line with the Two River Pathway to Change model. Its focus was on an Aboriginal community controlled program that builds strong relationships with children and young people, families and carers in Walgett, working with relevant legal, health and other services to provide integrated and meaningful community care, enhance social and emotional wellbeing and build connection to culture and country.Ìý
The DEG, with support from Yuwaya Ngarra-li, is developing and implementing the YWS at its new Galuma-liÌý('care for') space on Walgett's main street.
Publications
- Peta MacGillivray, Virginia Robinson & Ruth McCausland (2025) '', Chapter 31 in theÌýRoutledge International Handbook of Critical Policing Studies.
- Amy Townsend, Rona Macniven, Nellie Pollard-Wharton, Melanie Andersen, Madeleine Powell, Sallie Cairnduff, Ruth McCausland, Christine Corby, Kathleen Clapham & Rebecca Q Ivers (2025)Ìý'', Injury Prevention, Online First. 
- Yuwaya Ngarra-li Partnership (2024)ÌýAustralia's Youth Justice and Incarceration System, submission to the Federal Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.
- Dharriwaa Elders Group (2024)Ìý, submission to the NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety.
- Peta MacGillivray, Zoe Sands, Ruth McCausland, Wendy Spencer & May Miller-Dawkins (2024)ÌýYuwaya Ngarra-li Briefing Paper: Lessons from the Two River Pathway to Change Diversion ModelÌý2018–2023.
- Rebecca Reeve, Ruth McCausland, Peta MacGillivray & Virginia Robinson (2024)Ìý'',ÌýInternational Journal of Law, Crime and JusticeÌý76(100650).
- Virginia Robinson & Ruth McCausland (2023)Ìý, submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
- Rebecca Reeve, Ruth McCausland & Peta MacGillivray (2022)ÌýYuwaya Ngarra-li Research Report:ÌýHas criminal justice contact for young people in Walgett changed over time? Analysis of diversions, charges, court and custody outcomes 2016-2021.
- Ruth McCausland & Leanne Dowse (2020)Ìý'',ÌýChildren Australia, vol. 45, pp. 326-334.
- Ruth McCausland (2018)Ìý.
- Ruth McCausland (2018)Ìý‘’,ÌýCroakey, 6 June.
- Yuwaya Ngarra-li (2018)Ìý.
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