Goolum News - May 2023

Someone to look up to

At just 22, she has already represented the state on a national level in all ability’s netball on multiple occasions.

This year will be her 10th year trying out for the Victoria State team, with many previous attempts landing her in the team.

But where did it all begin for Bianca?

“I watched netball a lot when I was little and thought it was cool and wanted to play. I also watched my mum play too,” she said.

Bianca said while it was a thrill to compete with her team at such a high level, it was also the friendships she formed along the way that made it all worthwhile.

“I really love the sport and keep trying to achieve my best all the time. I love it because I have made so many friends and been able to travel,” she said. Bianca has travelled to many places across Australia to compete in netball.

Late last year, she joined the Victoria State team to compete in the Little Marie Shield

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.

Wotjobaluk woman Bianca Lauricella is achieving great things in the sporting industry and has become a role model for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people living with a disability.

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.

Dalki Mulwill,

This edition of the newsletter we have another community profile of Bianca Lauricella a highly successful sportsperson in our community. Congratulations to Bianca on all her achievements in her sporting career.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to our own Sharyn Cook who retired from her position as a women’s health nurse in the last month. Sharyn has been an avid champion for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector. She will be sorely missed at Goolum Goolum and we wish her the best in her retirement. We are also pleased to advise that progress continues on our Community Hub Build.

We are now talking to a select group of builders who will submit tenders for the works. Indications from our Architects is that contracts may be awarded by JuneJuly this year. We will keep everyone updated as we progress.

Meet the Goolum Goolum Board of Directors

Jake Goodes Chairperson

John Gorton Director

Nola Illin Deputy Chair

Lachlan Marks Secretary

Adrian Morgan Director

Kelly Britten Director

MakaylaSecombe Director

Cont d from front page

cheerleader.

Robyn has travelled with her to all her biggest games and helped her to get to training in Melbourne every fortnight. She said she couldn’t be prouder of how much she has achieved.

“Her confidence in her netball just keeps growing all

She saw her cousins do it at the mainstream school and she asked ‘why can’t we do it too?’

“

The school parents committee got together and ended up doing it!

“She is a great advocate, especially being Aboriginal and having a disability.”

Have a story you want to share

EmailDylanatdylan.dejong@goolumgoolum.org.au

April Holidays

Loved Nurse and community ally retires

Goolum Goolum – Hamilton Street Medical Clinic registered nurse Sharyn Cook has finished up a 40-year fulfilling career in healthcare.

Sharyn dedicated much of her later career to improving outcomes of health for Aboriginal women.

Originally working in mainstream healthcare, Sharyn was initially exposed to Goolum Goolum in 2007.

She was attending Goolum events in her role with Wimmera Health Care Group as a Community Health Family Planning Nurse. She also had funding in her role at the time to take Aboriginal women out on camping trips and other activities aimed at supporting women.

Her experiences with Goolum Goolum influenced her to join the team. She first started one day a week providing cancer screening, cervical screenings, and other general needs for women’s’ health.

Sharyn said knowing the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was often worse than other communities was a big push for her to support the organisation.

“For me, it was being aware of the poor health outcomes for First Nations communities,” she said.

“I also live in Dimboola too, so I’ve seen so many First Nations women my age or younger die far too young.

“I just wanted to promote cancer screenings and try to improve health outcomes for Indigenous women and their families. My role has primarily been for women’s health, but I am a huge advocate for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

Sharyn said seeing the effects of intergenerational trauma Aboriginal people firsthand had given her the drive to continue being an advocate even while in retirement.

“I’m very keen to keep being an advocate for First

Hamilton Street Medical Clinic Women’s Health

Nurse Sharyn Cook with Practice Manager Wally Coleman.

She said working with Goolum Goolum had felt like she was part of a team and appreciated for her work.

The major difference I found working with Goolum Goolum compared to mainstream services has been a much more authentic and a caring environment,” she s retired, she also planned to continue to come and offer exercise classes with music

Hamilton Street Medical Clinic Practice Manager Wally Coleman said Sharyn had left a positive impact on a few

Health Survey Information

will be selected to undertake a survey regarding nutrition and physical activity. The surveyors will be contacting chosen community members to organise a time to conduct the surveys over the next couple of months.

Goolum Goolum Aboriginal CoOperative has been informed that the Australian Bureau of Statistics is planning

surveys throughout ATSI communities in Australia; our area has been chosen. This means some community members

If you are chosen and do not want this survey to take place in your home we will be happy to accommodate this at Goolum Goolum. Please contact Dean for more information; 0429873726

An eye for elegance

Local First Nations woman Alinta Palmer is making significant leaps and bounds as a budding photographer.

Taking to the streets of Dimboola for the town’s annual steam punk festival, Alinta was able to capture some truly special moments at the weekend event in late April, where thousands gathered for the festivities.

Alinta was among several community members who joined Goolum Goolum’s photography workshop in early April.

Under the wing of tutor professional photographer Matt Dooling, Alinta has quickly been able to take what Matt has described as a natural eye for photography to the next level.

Matt said he could see a lot of potential in Alinta from the first session and didn’t hesitate to recommend her

to volunteer for the Wimmera Steampunk Festival.

“I could tell from early on that Alinta had natural-born ability to capture great photos and with her enthusiasm I thought it would be the perfect fit to offer her the opportunity to volunteer for the festival,” he said.

“I had a double booking for myself where the steampunk festival was asking me to take photos, except I had a wedding booked on the same day!

“With the Camera Club we were able to secure several volunteers to meet the festival’s needs and Alinta absolutely fit the description of what they needed.”

Goolum Goolum is excited to share more of the communities photos in coming weeks. We also hope to see our students submit some of their work into our annual NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition slated for July this year.

Professional portraits of festival goes for the Wimmera Steampunk Festival. Photo credit: Alinta Palmer

Goolum Goolum welcomed men across our community to a Mens Health Day last Thursday. The fellas all met in Dimboola by the river to go fishing and for a barbecue. As well as dropping a line in the Wimmera River, our GP Dr Dave also spoke to the community about the importance of healthcare for men.

Photo credit: John Gorton and Mick Fowler.

Nominations open today for Traditional Owners of Country in Victoria to stand as candidates for the second term of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

The Assembly represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the journey to Treaty in Victoria and will hold its General Elections from 13 May to 3 June this year.

Assembly Co Chair and proud Nira

illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation, Marcus Stewart, said the foundations and process for Treatymaking was now in place and the next Assembly would be tasked with negotiating the actual statewide Treaty.

“This election is self-determination in action. If you’re a Traditional Owner, please, consider putting your hand up to stand as a candidate to help make sure Treaty de-

livers tangible improvements for the lives of our people. Treaty won’ t negotiate itself, we need people to stand up and represent our mob on this incredible journey.”

As well as negotiating a statewide Treaty, in its next term the Assembly will help empower the diverse Traditional Owner groups in Victoria to negotiate Treaties in their areas that reflect specific aspirations and priorities.

The nomination period for candidates was from 3 to 24 April 2023. Voting will take place from 13 May to 3 June 2023, with mob able to cast votes in person, online or in the post.

LearnmoreabouttheAssembly ElectionsatTreatyElections.org.

Yoorrook extended 12 months

Tuntil June 2025 after being granted a 12month extension by the Victorian Government.

The state has agreed to the extension in response to Yoorrook’s recommendation in its interim report last year.

The extension provides additional time for Yoorrook to gather evidence on the systemic injustice faced by First Peoples in Victoria. This includes making bold recommendations for transformational change, including to support Victoria’s treaty making process.

The Victorian Government also granted a two extension for Yoorrook to deliver its critical issues re-

injustice within the child protection and criminal justice systems. This report is now due at the end of August 2023.

Yoorrook is Victoria’s formal truth telling inquiry and

Yoorrook Chair Eleanor Bourke.