Wuu-rri Launches Its First Microgrant Supporting Aboriginal Youth Leadership

Wuu-rri has proudly delivered its first-ever microgrant, supporting the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service – Aboriginal Corporation (TAMS-AC) to deliver its 2025 Youth Leadership Program for Aboriginal young people across the Tamworth and Manilla region.

This milestone marks the beginning of Wuu-rri’s microgrant program, which reinvests funds generated through Wuu-rri Vending into community-led initiatives that strengthen Indigenous youth leadership, capability and long-term economic participation.

About the Program

Delivered over three days in November 2025, the TAMS-AC Youth Leadership Program brought together Aboriginal students from five local schools to participate in a culturally safe and engaging leadership experience.

The program combined facilitated yarning circles, leadership discussions, cultural learning, and hands-on activities designed to build confidence, encourage self-expression, and support young people to explore future pathways in health, community services and leadership.

Students were supported by experienced facilitators, mentors and community leaders who created space for open dialogue, learning and connection.

What the Wuu-rri Microgrant Supported

The Wuu-rri Microgrant helped cover essential program costs, including catering and workshop materials, ensuring participants felt welcomed, supported and able to fully engage throughout the program.

By removing practical barriers, the microgrant enabled TAMS-AC to focus on delivering a high-quality, culturally grounded experience that prioritised the wellbeing, confidence and leadership development of each participant.

Program Impact

Feedback from students, schools, Elders and mentors highlighted strong outcomes, including increased confidence, stronger cultural identity, and clearer aspirations for future education and career pathways.

Participants reported feeling more connected to community, more comfortable expressing their ideas, and more confident stepping into leadership roles within their schools and peer groups.

“This program created a culturally strong and supportive space where young people could grow in confidence, leadership and connection to community,” shared TAMS-AC representatives.

A Milestone for Wuu-rri

This first microgrant represents an important milestone for Wuu-rri, demonstrating how everyday commercial activity through Wuu-rri Vending is reinvested into meaningful, community-led outcomes.

As Wuu-rri grows nationally, microgrants will continue to support Indigenous youth, entrepreneurs and communities to turn ideas into action and strengthen long-term economic participation.

➡️ Learn more about Wuu-rri Microgrants

➡️ Explore Wuu-rri’s impact

Image credit: Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service – Aboriginal Corporation