Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative respectfully acknowledges that our o ces are based on unceded land of
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative respectfully acknowledges that our o ces are based on unceded land of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, 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.
and to the future Elders and caretakers of this land. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.
Board of Directors
Dalki Muwill
Welcome to the August newsletter
This past week we have had a burst of Spring weather which has been lovely. A big thank you to all of the organisations including education, trades, industry, and local agencies that set up shop at our annual Pathways Expo. Most importantly a big thank you to all of the schools, their students and families that came along to support and explore pathways – a shout out to the Hamilton and Heywood mobs who attended – you are always welcome. I see a great opportunity for the West division ACCOs getting together to create a major event in years to come.
As we head into Spring, we look forward to our Hand Up event focussing on mental health. This year will be as big and bold as ever - Save the date October 4th.
Community Hub – progress continues on the build, and we continue to conduct walk throughs on request.
As the winter sporting codes enter finals season we wish anyone still le in the race all the best and well done to all who have run out on the weekends to have a go and those who have volunteered to support their clubs – you are all champions!
Take care
Ants.
Jake Goodes Chairperson Nola Illin Vice Chairperson
Lachaln Marks Board Director Adrian Morgan Board Director
Kelly Britten Board Director
Jhon Gordon Board Director
Makayla Secombe Board Director
CEO Ants Craig
Hand Up 2024
We are so excited to announce this years theme for Hand Up is 'Music For Mob' We know how impactful music can be on our mental health and healing journey, and we are so looking forward to sharing this with the Community.
How can you be involved?
If you have a song that has gotten you through a tough time, makes you smile or dance we want to know! Comment it below and we'll add it to the event playlist. We are also looking for Community that would like to be part of a NEW Hand Up video sharing their chosen song.
If that's you please call Mick on 0400 627 487 or Emily on 0447 858 260.
Music for Mob Mental Health
Meet at Botanical Gardens for Walk of Solidarity
Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
Video presentations
Community performances Friday 4th October 10:00am to 2:00pm
Pick up at Stawell Bus Station Napier St, Stawell @ 9:00am
Please contact Kym on 0447 846 250 or Nathan 0427 797 236 Ararat, Stawell & Dimboola please contact Goolum Goolum
Pick up at Post Office 65 Lloyd Street Dimboola @ 9:15am
Bus will drop off passengers at Botanical Gardens Firebrace St, Horsham @ 9:45am
The bus will wait 10 mins before departing each pickup location Returning bus will depart from Horsham Soundshell @ 2:00pm
Community Achievements
The Artist Behind Stawell’s Police Station Mural
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist?
My name is Rebecca Wilshire (Bec) Mob Ngarrindjerri from S.A, but I grew up in Horsham. I didn’t grow up with my real Mob, because I moved when I was 3 years old, but I’m grateful I grew up here around this Mob in Horsham, now I am living in Stawell and doing a lot of things with both communities.
How did you first become interested in art, and what inspired you to pursue it? I had been painting for so many years, since I was young. Painting for me is the way that finds for cope with grief, to connect with family and friends. I paint to help myself get through tough times, it is my relaxation, my karma and when I am in the mood, I’m in the mood. I haven’t put out there to the public my artwork before, but I had given as a present, gi to the family members, they are the only ones,that own a piece of my artwork. My artwork is a legacy for my children’s. My art particularly is about my feelings at the time or my flow. I start with the dots, and I
When I first became inspired, I was in a correctional facility. I was a young teenager, and started doing painting with a lady that use to come in and she runs an artwork class, it was the only way to connect with our culture been in this correctional facility.I started to do more learning and when I got out from the correctional facility I was able to get myself occupied and use my painting when I felt down is my way to do it.
Are there specific stories or elements from Aboriginal culture that you wanted to highlight in this piece?
I am a dot painter.I use a skewer to dot, I have my own special technical way, and the way that I do my artwork (what you see is what my people do), even though I didn’t grow up there, I have the influence from my Mob, I know who I am, I never thought that I will be so into it until I done it . I did not know how good I will feel a er I done it, this is the way how I do it .I keep my work, I keep my story and my paintings.
Police Station Stwell
Community Achievements
How did the opportunity to paint the front door at the Stawell Police Station come about?
I saw a post on Facebook from a Lady named Robyn from the Police Station in Stawell, that said that it was an opportunity for the community to come up with a painting, create a painting that would like to present at the police station, I did seven paintings in a week for the Art gallery (another event from Naidoc Week in Horsham).
lI ooked at all these paintings, the red paint “The Koala face ” stands out very well but also, we live in the Grampians, near the Big Koala. I thought this is perfect, (the meaning of the painting) meeting place people sitting around and they protect you , so I thought it will be perfect for the police station because they protect you, look a er you , help you and they are for the community. Sometimes people don’t agree, but that is what they are there for. When I did the actual painting, I did two boomerangs and I did a couple of circles, and accidentally put a white dot in the spot, and I thought now a need to put multiple dots around there because I can’t fix this and then I finished and showed my partner and he said “it is a koala face” and I looked and said it really does so I put in there and I sent other multiple art pictures. Later I got a message from the police station telling me that they wanted the koala face, was great!.
How do you feel your artwork contributes to the community and its relationship with the police?
This made me feel that I‘m more part of the community, I had been here for so long. I’m somebody from somewhere else and it takes a long time to feel that you are part, even as you had been here you been accepted, still I’m part of each Mob but you want them to get along. Lets say with the police station, they are there it’s what they do, they are there as a service for the community. We need to help them to feel comfortable and make them feel that they are part of us too. This make me feel welcome, welcome with them, respectful in this land, this land where we are walking right now.
What advice would you give to young Aboriginal artists who are just starting out? Put your artwork out there, don’t hold back. What you paint always will be so meaningful, you can make a dot there and mean something for you , no one will understand, they don’t need to understand. Never think that your work is no good, put your work out there, not all people need to be a professional but the importance is what it means to you out there.
Community Achievements
How has completing the Great Victorian Bike Ride changed you personally?
Yes, I have changed a lot. Before the ride, I was quiet in groups and did not really have a voice. I felt like people could control me. A er the ride, I became more independent and stronger. I feel like I can take the initiative to do things on my own now.
How did it feel to wear theIndigenous tops and ride as a group?
It was surprising to see how many people were there— more than 1,000! I was one of the girls picked to ride alongside a girl I met on the ride who designed the top. It was a huge honour to wear it, and even though the weather was tough, I felt proud to myself.
What are your plans for continuing this journey of challenges and personal growth? Do you have any other events or initiatives in mind?
My plan is to do the bike ride again this year, in October. We have already started training—there are a few more people joining, like a friend and my brother. It will be fun, especially with better weather.
What would you say to encourage more kids from your community to get involved in the Great Victorian Bike Ride or similar activities?
I would tell more people from the community to try it. Everyone is welcome to join us—we could even have a Goolum team and do training rides from Horsham to Stawell or Ararat. Anyone can do it!
What did you learn from the Great Victorian Bike Ride that you want to share with others?
It is such a fantastic opportunity. It is fun—we would meet up each night. The first night, I was dancing and talking with new people of all di erent ages, sharing stories, and learning about the ride. We played games, ate lots of food, and even watched movies together. Some people played footy or cricket too. It is a wonderful experience, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Pathways Expo 2024
On the Wednesday night prior to the Pathway Expo we held a Meet & Greet Univiersities for those that couldn’t make The Expo.
Pathways Expo 2024
What an amazing day we had for our 2024 Pathways Expo. We are so thrilled with how outstanding the day went, supported by Community, Schools, Universities & Tafes & many varied Organisations. Our expo continues to grow each year and again it was one of the largest in Regional Victoria just for Koori students which is a testament to you all for supporting our event. The opportunity to involve our young students and their families to network and connect with services and each other is invaluable.
Goolum Goolum Gulgurn Munja Community Academy Excursion
Rock Shelter Excursion
A great day was had with Uncle Ron at Gulgurn Manja (pronounced Gulkurn Manya), rock shelter meaning hands of young people at Gariwerd.Here at the rock shelter small groups of Jadawadjali would have been ideally positioned to see the fires of other groups on the plains.The artwork at the site includes emus and handprints that were done by children.
The paintings were part of a unique local art style which was used to tell stories and pass on the law of the children.
Chunky Move
Motivational Mondays is run from the Stawell O ce every Monday at 10:30am onwards.
Motivational Mondays
Mel Sabbo
0436 011 250
Every Monday 10:30am
46 Leslie St Stawell O ce
Motivational Mondays
Where mob go out on country and walk or do a psysical or social activity to help participants health, connection, and overall well-being. We then come together and make a healthy lunch or go out to eat and get amongst community. This year we have done a lot of walks in Gariwerd, including MacKenzie Falls, Venus Baths, Lake Bellfield and Bunjil’s Shelter. We complete social activities and historic tours like Halls Gap, Mini Zoo, J Ward and Ararat, Gum San and the local zoo. In the next coming months with warmer weather approaching, we are hoping to do clay target shooting, visit Pink Lake, walk the Wimmera River and go to Deep Blue Pools.
I don't have too many fun facts about myself, I am very competitive and love playing Netball for Kalkee. I can tap dance, and my favourite show is "Friends".
Meishy Newell
Mob:Wotjobaluk
Start Date: 04/ 2024
Work Experience Student (VET) 2024
Early Years
Collingwood AFL
Reading, watching movies.
Dylan Newell
Mob: Wotjobaluk
Start Date: 04/ 2024
Maintenance Worker
Corporate
Richmond
Footy, cricket, music and diving
Youth Drop in
This one's just for you! Come along to our Youth Drop-In Koori-oke and let your voice shine! Whether you love singing your heart out or just want to chill with friends, this is your a ernoon to have fun and be yourself!.
Early Years
Pathways in schools program. There are many financial incentives available to support First Nations people to study and work in this field.
If you would like to know more about how to get started working in the Early Years industry, please give our team at call a GGAC. Ring reception and ask to speak to one of our Early Year Team members. Or contact your school or local training provider.
Maternal and Child Health Care
"Deadly Teeth need good foods, good drinks and brushing twice a day. You should book your child in for their free dental check as soon as they have teeth and remember to book your family's yearly dental check-up."
METHOD
ZUCCHINI & CORN FRITERS INGREDIENTS
Serves 6 people Cooking time 20 minutes
1 Place the grated zucchini into a large bowl.
3 Medium zucchini’s grated
1 x 420g can corn kernels (salt reduced), drained
3 spring onions or 1-2 native leeks, finely chopped
1/2
1 cups self-raising flour
2 Add the corn kernels, spring onion/ native leek, flour and ground cumin. Stir until well combined.
3 Crack eggs into a samall bowl, beat lightly with a whisk or fork.
4 Add beaten eggs to other ingredient and combine well.
5 In a large frypan over medium heat, add olive oil,
6 Scoop out a small palm-sized portion of mixture and place into the hot frypan.
1 tsp ground cumin, or other herbs/spices
2 eggs 1 tbsp olive oil
7 Cook in batches until golden brown on both sides.
8 Serve with salad or try a dollop of natural yoghurt and lemon juice.
FOOD FACT: Zucchini is rich in vitamins and nutrients that support healthly vision and may help to strengthen our bones.
Brushing your teeth with fluoride
makes your teeth strong and healthy. Deadly teeth need brushing twice a day-every morning and every night. It’s good to have your teeth checked by a dentist.
Brushing your teeth with uoride toothpaste makes your teeth strong and healthy
Artist: Madison Connors, a proud
Yorta Yorta (Wolithica), Dja Dja Wurrung and Kamilaroi woman and mother to two boorais
Dirran the Kangaroo Dirran is the Yorta Yorta word for teeth
Medical Clinic
Speech Pathology
Mary Jean (MJ)
Podiatry will be here 18th of September
2nd of September Horsham
9th of Sptember Stawell
Australian Hearing
9th of August
Diabetes Educator
11 th of September
Maternal child Health Nurses
Wednesdays/ Thursdays
Allied Health Services
Domestic Assistance Property Maintenance Planned Activity Groups (PAGS)
If you are due for a new Management plan or ATSI Health Check make an appointment and receive a $50 dollar Coles voucher. to make your appointments.
5381 6301
Please don’t forget to book in for your flu vaccination ( you will recieve a $25 voucher) and we are also still providing covid vaccinations. Flu/Covid Vaccinations
