Pathfinders providing free birth certificates for South Coast Indigenous community

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View Subscription OffersBega District News' complete view of propertyHome/News/Latest NewsPathfinders providing free birth certificates for South Coast Indigenous communityUpdated February 4

2022 - 1:22pm, first published 10:03amUpdated February 4 2022 - 1:22pm, first published 10:03amFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopy Indigenous Australians who have not had their births

registered or are not in possession of a birth certificate are urged to participate at the Pathfinders National Aboriginal Birth Certificate Program sign-up day to be held at Bega Aboriginal

Land Council on Monday, February 7.

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50% off EOFY SaleAll articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperAll other regional websites in your areaContinueThe South Coast Indigenous community is encouraged to take

advantage of Pathfinders' free birth certificate program next week Photo: Bega District News This will be the last opportunity for Indigenous Australians to receive a free birth certificate

from Pathfinders as the funding for the program will cease at the end of February.

Senior manager of Aboriginal Culture and Connections for Pathfinders Hilton Naden said more than 10,000 Aboriginal people have received their birth certificates since the program's

inception.

"A birth certificate is essential for people wanting to gain a driver's licence, enrol in school or sporting teams, vote, open a bank account or apply for a tax file number," he said.

"However, Aboriginal Australians are hugely under-represented when it comes to registering births or possessing a birth certificate.

"There are many barriers, including costs, tracking down paperwork, and in some cases, a distrust of government agencies as a result of the impact of issues from the Stolen Generation era.

"We work closely with Land Councils, Justices of the Peace, and the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages to work through the barriers to ensure that participants can have access to this

vital piece of paper."

Mr Naden said Pathfinders was committed to doing everything it could to Close the Gap.

"A birth certificate is an important step towards helping Aboriginal people access government services like Medicare, apply for housing, set up a business, or join a sports team."

Pathfinders birth certificate sign-up days Monday, February 7

Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council

187 Carp St, Bega NSW 2550

9am - 3pm

Tuesday, February 8

Cobowra Local Aboriginal Land Council

193 Vulcan St Moruya

9am - 3pm

Wednesday, February 9

Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre

31 Holloway Rd Nowra

9am - 3pm

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