GOOLUM News 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.
January, 2024
October, 2023
From Overcoming Challenges to Empowering the Community
I
n a heartwarming turn of events, Bec Willshire, a resident of Stawell, has defied the odds, turning her life around to become a certified swim instructor,
thanks to the opportunities provided by Goolum and SWIM Jobs Victoria last year. Bec's journey is an inspiring testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of community support. In July of the previous year, Goolum Goolum with SWIM Jobs Victoria initiated a program to empower Indigenous individuals by offering them a chance to become swim teachers. Intrigued by the prospect, Bec attended the 2-day course in Horsham. Her initial hesitancy, rooted in a troubled past, faded as she immersed herself in the training. With limited work experience and having become a mother at 19, Bec saw this as an opportunity not just for herself but for the Indigenous children in her community. Stepping out of her comfort zone, Bec began completing the necessary courses. In August, she commenced her in-water training, steadily progressing until she gained the proficiency to teach independently. A series of assessments followed, culminating in Bec successfully completing the course and earning the qualifications necessary to become a certified swim instructor. Bec found teaching children to be an immensely rewarding experience, witnessing their joy as they developed swim skills and learned crucial water-safety rescue techniques. The opportunity to teach within the Goolum community allowed her to make a meaningful contribution, providing local children with the essential skill of swimming.
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Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative//goolumgoolum.org.au Goolum News—www.goolumgoolum.org.au