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The Central Desert Regional Council and the
Yuendumu Mediation & Justice Committee have been recognised for their great
work in building Peace in Yuendumu at the 2014 Australian Crime and Violence
Prevention Awards in Canberra this week.

 The Council and the Mediation Committee were one of only 10 recipients nation
wide who were awarded merit certificates that put them in the running for the
overall winner of the National Community Crime & Violence Prevention
Award.  Griffith Youth Forensic Service from Queensland was named the
overall winner.

Council CEO Cathryn Hutton was thrilled by the award.  "This is yet
more recognition that the Yuendumu community, the Mediation & Justice
Committee and the Council are on the right track.  It's backed up by the
evidence provided by the recent Cost Benefit Analysis that estimates that for
every $1 invested in the Yuendumu program by Government, it saves the tax payer
$4.30." Ms Hutton said.
 
The Independent Cost Benefit Analysis produced by the Canberra University
demonstrated that with a Government investment maintained at current levels of
$225,000 per annum for the next $10 years, the Government would realise in
excess of an $18 million dollar gain.  This would be produced through
decreased policing and justice costs, decreased medical costs, improved health,
education and employment outcomes, improved governance and improved
productivity. "This equates to a net saving of more than $14 million over
the same period." Ms Hutton said.

Valerie Napaltjarri Martin, Deputy Chairperson of the Yuendumu Mediation and
Justice Committee was in Canberra to accept the honour.  "I am very
proud to represent Yuendumu and I'm very proud to accept this award on behalf
of the Central Desert Regional Council and the Committee. We work really hard
to act quickly to stop conflict before it gets out of hand. It's working.
Yuendumu is a much happier place now.  Government knows, that's why we've
got this award". Ms Martin said

For more information contact John Gaynor, Director Community Services on 0428 849 520.