{
  "id": 16528496,
  "title": "Remote community devastated over closure of Indigenous youth organisation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/remote-community-devastated-over-closure-of-indigenous-youth",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T22:01:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-26/wyndham-indigenous-youth-origination-closes/107298036"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Wyndham Aboriginal Youth Corporation, an Indigenous youth organisation in Western Australia's remote East Kimberley region, has abruptly halted its services, leaving locals and at-risk youth in confusion. The corporation, which has been operational since 2018, provided a range of services including a cafe, mechanic workshop, educational programs, and a safe night space for young people. These programs have been credited with reducing crime rates and fostering positive community-led solutions. However, the organisation claims that the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) reneged on a funding commitment, making it difficult for the service to continue operating.\n\nNIAA, on its part, declined to comment publicly on the funding discussions with individual organisations, stating that it is still engaged with WYAC. The corporation's former CEO, Neville D Silva, has returned to help the organisation and has expressed deep concern for the at-risk children and staff. He believes that the organisation's closure has left children and workers without any form of support or employment. Silva is uncertain about when services will resume.\n\nThe Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley president, David Menzel, expressed his devastation over the halt in programs, highlighting the high level of service and engagement that WYAC had been providing, particularly to at-risk youth. He is concerned about the potential gaps in community support and is unsure what the future holds for the organisation. An anonymous source familiar with WYAC confirmed that the organisation's operations ceased on September 18, with no prior notification to staff or community members. The night space, which served as a crucial safe haven for young people, is no longer operational, and children continue to approach WYAC daily, asking when services will resume.\n\nThe Department of Justice acknowledged the importance of youth services to the Wyndham community and is engaged in discussions with relevant stakeholders to explore options for supporting the continuity of services.",
  "summary": "It has been a month since the Wyndham Aboriginal Youth Corporation in northern Western Australia closed its doors without warning. The organisation has been credited with reducing crime rates.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}