Goolum News - February 2023

Feb, 2023

Confidence growing everyday

Awork experience opportunity at Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co -Operative (GGAC) for Regan Shaw 15 is aiding him to develop his own voice and

The young Mitakoodi student has spent the past year doing work experience with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health

It is all part of a Certificate III in Community Services through Federation University in Horsham.

Beyond the technical skills he is learning, Regan said he was gaining invaluable interpersonal skills.

He said before the experience, he had struggled with shyness.

The biggest thing I got out of this was being able to talk better

Before I was at working age, I didn’t really know how to talk to people. I was very shy and a little antit want to put myself in situations where I had to talk to people because I didn’t’

ve since signed up to my school’s Student Representative Council to challenge myself more. I think working here has really helped my confidence.”

Regan first started coming to Goolum Goolum a few years back for the Hamilton Street Medical Clinic where he was first exposed to some of its

We are a primary health and wellbeing organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people operating on the traditional lands of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples. We strive to provide a holistic model that responds to the physical, social emotional, Cultural and spiritual need of our people.

Goolum Aboriginal

Mitakoodi work experience student Regan Shaw has spent the past year working at Goolum Goolum.

Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative respectfully acknowledges that our offices are based on unceded land of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawajali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples. We pay our respects to their ancestors, and to Elders, both past and present, and to the future Elders and caretakers of this land.

Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.

We are so excited to present you with our newsletter for the end of February. Summer is drawing to close and we are already seeing glimpses of the warmer weather retreated, making it a great time to get out in nature, enjoy some fresh air and outdoor activities.

Goolum Goolum is off to a flying start this year, with our teams working hard to provide its community with great services! Our team is growing and diversifying all the time. This, year with the addition of new staff, we will be able to hone in further on some of beloved events such as NAIDOC, HAND UP and our staple Wimmera River Challenge.

We have already ran several successful events this year including our Ladies Pamper Day, Back 2 School and a surfing trip down south for youth. You can read about some of this in this month’s newsletter or head onto our Facebook page to stay updated with what else is on.

Meet the Goolum Goolum Board of Directors

Ants Goolum CEO

Jake Goodes Chairperson

John Gorton Director

Nola Illin Deputy Chair

Lachlan Marks Secretary

Adrian Morgan Director

Kelly Britten Director

MakaylaSecombe Director

10 from Mitakoodi Country in far north west Queensland; a 10 hour drive west of Townsville.

“Being from an Indigenous background, I really liked the Wimmera River Challenge. I used to get my flu vax and see a podiatrist here when we first," Regan said.

“I remember thinking I want to help here and see how I could take part. It was the one place that caught my interest in work.

“While I have been here I have done a bit of everything. One day I would go to playgroup and I went to Stawell for their Indigenous group at the high

year and with Wimmera River Challenge.”

Regan said he most enjoyed helping with Goolum Goolum’s events and programs.

“At the moment I really like programs and events. I think it’s the coolest thing to have a sit down and brainstorm and share your ideas with a team and see an event or program unfold.

“

Plus everyone here is so nice and friendly to work with. It’s a team of good people and a lot of fun it just makes me want to come back.

He said he was also grateful to learn about the local Wotjobaluk peoples.

“ I had a good yarn with Johnny Gorton (GGAC General Manager) who told me about the local Mob, it was very interesting to learn about the history of the Wotjobaluk people and the Country that we’re on here,” he said.

“I really like that I can connect and learn more about the peoples around here. It

EmailDylanatdylan.dejong@goolumgoolum.org.au

Seeing the benefit for the community, it’s just the best feeling.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people across the region had an opportunity to take part in Surfing Victoria’s Indigenous Surfing program earlier in January.

We enjoyed a day of sun and surf in Warrnambool where parents got to watch their children learn how to surf, some of which were trying the sport for the very first time!

Goolum Goolum will let the community know when more programs like this are on offer.

Touched the lives of many’ – Good luck Lisa!

“Goolum will miss Lisa’s enthusiasm in working within our community – the first one to put up her hand to assist with the many duties that come with putting on a Community gathering, BBQ, event and/or activity.

“Lisa has made many friends here and we wish her (and her family) all the best as she heads to East Victoria to pursue new challenges and opportunities. Thank you Lisa, you are greatly missed.”

While Lisa was at Goolum Goolum she also encouraged Renae Podolski to join Goolum’s Early Years Team.

farewelled our colleague and friend, Lisa Williams.

Lisa was the Early Years Co-Ordinator which involved Koori Preschool Assistant program and playgroup at Goolum. She started in June 2021. Lisa, along with Renae Podolski, ran successful playgroups in both Horsham and Stawell, for children and families, from birth to school age.

Goolum’s Health and Wellbeing Manager Dean O’ Loughin said Lisa contributed much to the CoOperative in just a few short years.

“Lisa was an integral part of Goolum’s work in the Early Years sector, initiating best practice programs and projects for families and children in our community,” he said.

“I know that she has touched the lives of many children and families that attended our playgroups, in both Stawell and Horsham and many Kindergartens in our region.

Renae, who has been in the role for 10 months, said Lisa supported her greatly in starting at the organisation.

“I have known Lisa for a long period of time – firstly as a fellow parent at our children’s school, which then progressed into a teacher-parent relationship, after she took on her teaching position at Kalkee Road Kindergarten, and finally as a colleague at Goolum Goolum,” she said.

“

It was Lisa who encouraged me to apply for my role, and taught me many valuable lessons in the relatively short space of time we were able to work together.

“We made a great team and had more than our fair share of laughs along the way – she was a fabulous mentor, colleague and friend who brought a gentle kindness to the room.

“We will miss you Lisa!”

Got questions about Treaty? Have a Yarn with Jordan

Hey everyone, my name is Jordan Knight – I’m a proud Yorta Yorta man. My role is to get out into Community, yarn with mob about Treaty and see how YOU can be part of the journey. I’d love to hear your ideas and feedback about Treaty, answer your questions and help find more ways for you to be involved – so let’s make a time to yarn!

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were treated to our Ladies Pamper Day last Friday. The day included indulging in some nail and beauty treatment as well as enjoying some high tea and cakes.

The community also met our guest Allira Potter, a proud Yorta Yorta woman, a trained reiki practitioner, intuitive reader, energy healer, writer, model and an empowerment and mindset coach.