First Nations Gambling Awareness Program

The First Nations Gambling Awareness Program ( FNGAP ) Program Guidelines 2023–24 provide funded agencies with an understanding of the program's purpose, aims, target groups and key operational and service requirements.

The guidelines recognise that funded agencies need flexibility to develop, deliver and evaluate programs in culturally appropriate and safe ways to meet the specific aspirations and needs of their communities. The guidelines are an important reference for funded agencies to help guide decisions about the best way to deliver services to their communities while ensuring a consistent standard of services across Victoria.

FNGAP Program Guidelines 2023–24

The Foundation supports and funds five Aboriginal organisations in metropolitan and regional Victoria to deliver FNGAP services.

The services are available to any First Nations community member who is experiencing harm from gambling. This could include someone with a gambling problem, or someone affected by another person's gambling. Services provided include a mix of client services together with community engagement activities.

There are five First Nations organisations which deliver FNGAP:

• Victorian Aboriginal Health Services (VAHS), which provides support services on Wurundjeri Country in northern metropolitan Melbourne
• Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (GEGAC), which provides support services on Gurnai Kurnai Country in the Gippsland area
• Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS), which provides support services on Ngintait and Latji Latji Country in the greater Mildura area
• Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative (Rumbalara), which provides support services on Yorta Yorta and Bangerang Country in the greater Shepparton area
• Strong Brother Strong Sister, which provides support services on Wadawurrung Country for young people and families in the Geelong area.

Service planning aims to ensure that FNGAP services are appropriately targeted and responsive to the diverse needs of individuals and the community.

FNGAP agencies are required to submit a 12-month service plan due every year on 31 July using the template provided by the Foundation. FNGAP agencies will be supported by the Foundation to develop the service plan.

Reports against the service plan will be due on the following dates:

• The six-month report is due on 31 January
• The annual report is due on 31 July.

Please contact dea.morgain@health.vic.gov.au for reporting templates.

FNGAP GAMBLING AWARENESS VIDEOS 

This video was produced by the VRGF and feature FNGAP staff and community members talking about their experiences with gambling.

The video is available for download and immediate use by FNGAP agencies. To download, right click on the link and click save.

• Victorian First Nations members yarn about gambling

FIRST NATIONS RESEARCH AND REPORTS

The following reports and guides have been produced by the ACCOs who deliver the FNGAP program, often in collaboration with a university. Please feel welcome to download and share.

• Reducing Gambling Harm in First Nations Communities – A Guide for Health Workers
• First Nations, gambling and financial literacy guide 2023
• Intervening in Indigenous Gambling: A Systematic Review of the Literature
• Impacts of Gambling on Young Aboriginal People in Gippsland and East Gippsland
• Gambling in the Sunraysia Aboriginal Community
• Gambling in Two Regional Australian Aboriginal Communities: A Social Practice Analysis

FIRST NATIONS INFORMATION SHEETS

The VRGF has created a selection of information sheets that are available for download and use by FNGAP services.

The information sheets are designed to be printable in A4 for ease of use. Download all fact sheets in one folder, or select the ones you need from the list below.

• Aboriginal co-ops can help
• Do you play the pokies to escape?
• Keeping kids safe
• Keeping young people safe
• Know someone who bets?
• Sick of being broke?

Hard copy versions of the information sheets are now available to order from the warehouse.

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES FOR EVENTS 

Included here are a few things for use when hosting stalls at community events, or other events where you want to encourage community members to participate in activities.

Cutouts for badge making:

FNGAP Rosella

Colouring-in activities:

Rosella colouring sheet

STARTING THE CONVERSATION – A SHORT FILM

Starting the Conversation, is a short film created by Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

The film focuses on the strength and resilience of First Nations people, particularly when faced with harms associated with gambling.

Please contact the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative if you have any queries about the film.

LOVE THE GAME – YOUNG ABORIGINAL PEOPLE’S AWARENESS PROGRAM (YAPAP)

This  program helps to equip young Aboriginal people to better understand the gambling environment, the risks involved in gambling and where to get help if needed.

Designed in collaboration with funded agencies, the program assists in guiding young Aboriginal people to gain a balanced, realistic understanding of the risks associated with gambling, as well as the potential outcomes.

Resources:

• Love the Game – Young Aboriginal People's Awareness Program video
  (to download, right click on the link and click save)
• Video instruction guide
• Young Aboriginal People's Awareness Program PowerPoint

There are brochure and promotional materials to support your work. Funded agencies can order direct from our warehouse.

Place your order with the warehouse *

If you are having difficulties ordering please speak to your contact person.