The HOPE project aims to identify and support initiatives to equip young people living in Charleville and Cunnamulla in south-central Queensland with the skills they need to lead healthy lifestyles and to reach their potential.

The project addresses deep and persistent disadvantage, and its impact on young people's development pathways, to secure long-term, sustainable change in the lives of young people.

In 2021, the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) partnered with the HOPE project to host a camp for 33 Indigenous high school students. In collaboration with Aboriginal health centres and other local organisations, the weeklong camp on Country provided young people with a range of cultural, health and educational activities.

To support the project, Easternwell provided personal care packs for each student to ensure they had the essential items for camping.

Easternwell's General Manager for Camp Management, Marco Waanders is Chairman of Ventia's Queensland Regional Indigenous Steering Committee and is passionate about supporting local Indigenous youth.

We are committed to supporting education and training opportunities for Indigenous people to increase skills and knowledge - in fact it is one of our commitments in our Reconciliation Action Plan.

"By supporting this initiative with an in-kind donation of essential items, we helped make it easier for students to join the camp and make the most of it."

The HOPE Project is an initiative of the Queensland Government's South West Hospital and Health Service focused on improving service integration within the Charleville and Cunnamulla communities; increasing education, training and employment opportunities and outcomes; improving the physical, social and emotional wellness of youth people; and building safer communities.