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Funerals & Culture

FUNERAL & CULTURE ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FORM
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Program Eligible for Purchasing Card

Overview

The aim of the Funeral & Culture Program is to support Beneficiaries in accessing funds for activities that uphold cultural responsibilities, practices, and traditions of the Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli peoples, including participation in funerals and cultural activities. The program recognises the cultural importance of funerals and ongoing cultural preservation, ensuring Members are supported in fulfilling their commitments to family, Country and culture.

This program has a program limit of $1,000 per Member & will run from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

Guidelines/Policy

Members may use program funds to assist with:

  • Funeral-related support: helping alleviate the financial burden associated with funeral arrangements, attendance, and culturally significant practices connected to funerals.
  • Cultural activities: engaging in activities that contribute to the preservation, sharing, and practice of Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli culture.

Members may pool their funds with other Members for shared costs relating to funerals or cultural activities.

It is not necessary for the deceased person to be a Gumala Member for a Member to access funeral-related funds. However, confirmation of the impending funeral must be provided with the application.

All applications must include a Program Application Form and tax invoice, quote or supporting statement from the goods or service provider. Payments will be made directly to suppliers.

Supporting Documents

  1. Program application form
  2. Tax invoice or quote
  3. Supporting statement (Cultural activities only)
  4. Valid Firearms Licence (if purchasing guns or ammunition)

Items available under the program

Funeral Support

  • Flights
  • Accommodation
  • Bus tickets
  • Fuel
  • Food
  • Funeral and undertaker costs
  • Transporting the deceased
  • Flowers and burial costs
  • Clothing
  • Headstones

Cultural Activities

  • Food
  • Camping equipment
  • Travel and accommodation (for cultural activities, including on Country)
  • Publishing and recording costs (stories, language, songs, knowledge)
  • Hunting and gathering expenses
  • Connecting to Country and kin
  • Attendance at Lore grounds
  • Guns and ammunition (must be accompanied by a valid Firearms Licence)

Other culturally relevant requests (at GAC’s discretion)

Items NOT available under the program

  1. Vehicle repairs and maintenance
  2. Vehicle registrations and driver’s licences
  3. Tyres
FUNERAL & CULTURE ASSISTANCE APPLICATION FORM

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