The Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, today launched the artwork and tagline for the promotion of this year’s Barkly Desert Harmony Festival.
Visiting Tennant Creek, Minister Fifield said the Festival will have a strong disability theme, with the tagline ‘Let NDIS be light’.
Local artist Dion Beasley’s ‘Little Boys’ series was the inspiration for this year’s logo design, created by Alice Springs designer, Elliat Rich, with desert landscapes and colour palettes inspired by artist Lindy Brodie.
“The Festival has a strong emphasis on encouraging people with disability to connect with their community and enjoy positive activities,” Minister Fifield said.
“The Australian Government is providing $60,000 to support this year’s Festival.
“The Festival will provide the Government with a great opportunity to celebrate people with disability and speak with people in the Barkly region in the Northern Territory about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The Barkly region is one of seven trial sites of the NDIS.”
Minister Fifield today also viewed the first ceramic story plates, which are being produced by five communities across the Barkly Region.
The ceramic plate designs explore what disability means to people living in the Barkly region. Art is being used in the Barkly to build awareness of the NDIS and these plates will be exhibited at this year’s Festival.
The NDIS is committed to helping people with disability to fund services and equipment they need to live more independent lives.
“The NDIS is making a difference to the lives of participants and their families in the Barkly Region,” Minister Fifield said.
The NDIA has been working with the local Barkly community to raise awareness of the NDIS, engage with local providers and support participants to access the Scheme.
Minister Fifield said a solid foundation is being built for the NDIS in the seven trial sites, with more than 11,000 participants with individualised support plans and $565.3million committed to people with disability to fund the services and equipment to live more independent lives.
The festival will be held in Tennant Creek from July 31 August 5.