As the sun sets in Alice Springs, dozens of children descend on a tiny park in the suburb of Larapinta.
Bikes of all different shapes, sizes and colours are unpacked from a truck, and soon the park is a whirl of activity.
This is Bikes Mwerre — a program bringing families together to ride bikes and learn maintenance skills.
Tyrone Lankin (centre) hopes Bikes Mwerre will bring local kids together for a positive reason. (ABC News: Charmayne Allison)
Eastern Arrernte man Tyrone Lankin first had the idea for the program after he noticed young people had little to do in town.
"I usually just see kids walking around, stealing stuff," he said.
As Alice Springs braces for another summer — a time when crime traditionally spikes — Mr Lankin said programs like these were vital.
"This keeps them off the streets and they can be at a safe spot," he said.
Local kids come together for the Bikes Mwerre program. (ABC News: Charmayne Allison)
Funding for summer period
Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has been in Alice Springs this week, announcing multiple funding commitments for the Red Centre, including $3.2 million for more school holiday programs over the next two years.
"We're coming up to another summer and I want to, and have, invested more," she said.
Malarndirri McCarthy was in Alice Springs this week. (ABC News: Christopher Fitzpatrick)
It comes almost a year after the federal government spent $700,000 in collaboration with the NT government, council and local organisations, to roll out additional summer programs in the region.
This included a pop-up ice skating rink and free access to the town pool.
Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson says he is currently lobbying the NT government for ongoing funding to continue free pool admission for the public.
"Fingers and toes crossed they can come to the party," Mr Paterson said.
Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson says council is lobbying for ongoing funding to continue free access to the town pool. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
Money for boarding schools
This week, the Commonwealth also announced an additional $2.5 million to boost the Lhere Artepe and Tangentyere night patrols over peak periods, including summer.
Minister McCarthy also revealed the government's plan to distribute $18 million — announced in March — for local boarding schools.
This included $6.3 million for a new boarding facility at Yipirinya School — about half the sum the Aboriginal school had been lobbying for.
"Clearly those who made the decision … saw that the requirement was really met for $6 million," Minister McCarthy said.
Almost $2 million has been given to St Philips, while $10 million will be spent to upgrade dilapidated facilities at Yirara College, one of Australia's largest Aboriginal boarding schools.
Wes Meurant is principal of Yirara College, one of Australia's largest Aboriginal boarding schools. (ABC Alice Springs: Grenville Turner)
Principal Wes Meurant said most of the funding would be focused on transforming the female dorms, which students have described as "institutional" and "like a submarine".
"I know the juvenile detention centre in Owen Springs is much nicer than the boarding here," he said.
Mr Meurant said the school had been forced to turn away at least 50 female students because of the inadequate facilities.
Yirara College hopes to start work before the end of the year.