Newsletter January by GoolumGoolum

Back to School Back to School

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.

Dalki Muwill

Welcome to 2025 and the year ahead!

I hope everyone has been able to stay cool during this very warm summer and take the opportunity to enjoy the break.

This week we are beginning our return to school programs, and I wish our families all the best as our young ones tackle another school year.

It is sometimes daunting to be starting school for the ﬁrst time or to be moving up to secondary schools. Whatever your challenge please know we are here to support and are only a phone call away.

What a fantastic crew that headed down to Warrnambool to partake in the day at the beach – I have heard nothing but good reports about the day and thank all of those who attended for making it such a success.

We also must congratulate our justice teams for the high-proﬁle publicity our community led Yallum Yallum justice program received through the ABC news this past week. How powerful to listen to community talk about their culture and strength that lays within. Community led, community designed, and community delivered – it’s all mob ever ask for is for Government and the broader community - “Listen to us, we have the knowledge and the ways”. Thank you to our Elders and community members who were brave enough to tell their story and what this type of program means. I should also note the excellent article featuring Johnny and Brett in which they discussed the ongoing racism that has again reared its ugly head around the Mt Dyurrite management plan. We can expect more of the same around Australia Day and it’s a reminder that as a strong, resilient community we support each other and do not in any way tolerate racism.

Take care and I look forward to the year ahead.

Ants

Nola IIlin Vice Chairperson

Jake Goodes Chairperson

Lachlan Marks Board Director

John Gorton Board Director

Kelly Britten Board Director

Celebrating Together GG End-of-Year Lunch

Goolum Goolum's end-of-year lunch was a wonderful celebration of togetherness and community. Despite the warm and sunny weather, everyone enjoyed an amazing meal and shared stories, laughter, and camaraderie on our nal day of the year. Ants and Dean did a fantastic job managing the ra e, which added a touch of excitement to the afternoon. Congratulations to Jezza, the lucky winner! It was a memorable day to wrap up the year and re ect on all we’ve achieved as a team and a community.

"GG Pizza Feast to End 2024"

Goolum Goolum wrapped up 2024 with a delicious pizza lunch during the nal week of the year. Dean and Rhys took on the role of master chefs, creating mouthwatering oven-baked pizzas for everyone to enjoy. The event was lled with great food, laughter, and community spirit, making it a memorable way to end the year together. Thank you, Dean and Rhys, for your culinary e orts and for bringing everyone together!

Thank you to everyone who joined our SUP series! Over three sessions in Stawell, Horsham, and a sunny ﬁnale at Dimboola (27°C), we came together to learn, share, and have fun.

Each day brought great weather, company, and smiles. Dimboola’s ﬁnal session was the perfect wrap-up.

Thanks to our instructors and participants for making it all possible. We’re grateful for the friendships and community spirit. Stay tuned for more next year!

The Elders group came together to celebrate Aunty Alva's birthday in a heartfelt gathering lled with love and laughter. While preparing Christmas hampers and decorations, they took a moment to honor Aunty Alva with a beautiful cake, surrounded by friends and festive cheer. It was a special day to celebrate a beloved Elder and the spirit of togetherness.

Aunty ALvA Aunty ALvA Birthday Happy

Birthday

Medical professionals from Grampians Health visited Goolum Goolum in December to discuss their Aboriginal Health Innovation Initiative project. This event brought community members together to share their experiences with hospitals and clinics in the Grampians region and explore ways to improve healthcare services.

The consultation focused on listening to the needs and feedback of First Nations people. Topics discussed included: Help with bookings: Making appointments easier and more accessible.

Support for travel: Addressing the challenges of getting to and from specialist appointments. Telehealth options: Expanding remote healthcare services to ensure care reaches everyone. Attendees also participated in cultural activities, shared stories, and enjoyed a meal together.

Community Consultation

Allison Monk (Project Lead) and Faye Clarke (First Nations Project O cer) led the session, actively listening and taking detailed notes to ensure the voices of the community were captured and respected. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Horsham Waterpark

In December, principals and teachers from Horsham College, Horsham West/Haven Primary School and Horsham College put on a celebration for our local students – Pizza in the Park, celebrating our local Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families. A great after-school activity, bringing together our kids, families, teachers & KESOS (koori education support o cers).

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INVOLVE?

Learn the fundamentals of software week part-time course and kickstart your professional career with a structured pathway into a dream technology career.

Goolum Goolum's Kym Bateson & Hannah Britten-Cook attended the Stawell College for a fun cooking day with the Marrung Group of students. Fourteen students along with their Coordinator Catherine Monument had an entertaining morning cooking wattle seed pavlovas with strawberry gum jam & lemon myrtle cream.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

Top graduates from this program will be o�ered full time paid jobs in the ANZ Traineeship program; every student who completes the course will have a guaranteed job interview for tech

The Deadly Coders Academy exists to provide pathways to meaningful tech industry careers for senior Indigenous school students. This program delivers on, quality learning programs which o�er practical skill development in the software engineering discipline, ﬁlling critical skill shortages and delivering skilled entry level technicians to ANZ’s traineeship program.

WHAT IS THE COURSE?

Software Engineering Bootcamp

Start your professional career pathway into a dream technology career

Participants will learn from top computer programming educators, gaining practical knowledge and programming skills that are used by software engineers globally. Supporting mentoring program includes academic and academic

The Software Engineering Bootcamp is an intensive 16 week program designed to equip Indigenous Australians with essential programming and software development skills.

This Bootcamp o�ers a balanced combination of in person and online learning, providing participants with on experience in programming languages like Python or Java, object oriented programming (OOP), advanced web development, and software engineering principles such as agile methodology. Students will well supported, with a comprehensive mentoring program to ensure their learning success through the 16

Curriculum includes the development of core soft skills that students will need to thrive in commercial software engineering environments: independent learning, teamwork, ethical behaviour, and presentation skills.

Participants will build a portfolio of software engineering projects throughout the course, enabling program interviews at leading Australian corporations at the completion of their program. ANZ will supply laptop and study materials, which

Course Duration: 4 months Starts: Feb 2025

Who can apply?

APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply for a place in the program: Scan the QR Code below or visit

Software Engineering Bootcamp

Applicant screening: Deadly Coders will contact you to assess your suitability for the program.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INVOLVE?

All course materials and computer equipment supplied.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

Onboarding Process with ANZ: Students will register with ANZ to onboard into the program

WHY PARTICIPATE?

PROGRAM COMMENCES FEB 10

your application

Deadly Coders website DeadlyCoders.org.au/academy

Learn the fundamentals of software engineering over a 16 week part-time course and kickstart your professional career with a structured pathway into a dream technology career.

Day per week (self-paced)

APPLICATION PROCESS

1300 089 344 Andrew@DeadlyCoders.org.au

The Deadly Coders Academy exists to provide pathways to meaningful tech industry careers for senior Indigenous school students. This program delivers hands-on, quality learning programs which o�er practical skill development in the software engineering discipline, ﬁlling critical skill shortages and delivering skilled entry level technicians to ANZ’s traineeship program.

Top graduates from this program will be o�ered full time paid jobs in the ANZ Traineeship program; every student who completes the course will have a guaranteed job interview for tech traineeships at leading Australian corporations.

1. STEP

Apply for a place in the program: Scan the QR Code below or visit our website

2. STEP

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:

The Deadly Coders Academy Bootcamp includes:

• Course registration fees

• Study materials and laptop (participants will retain all materials & equipment as part of the program)

• Development of student portfolio

• Academic and ANZ mentoring program

Software Engineering Bootcamp

Applicant screening: Deadly Coders will contact you to assess your suitability for the program.

3. STEP Onboarding Process with ANZ: Students will register with ANZ to onboard into the program

All course materials and computer equipment supplied. 1. 2. 3.

4. STEP PROGRAM COMMENCES FEB 10 2025 APPLY TODAY!

Submit your application on the Deadly Coders website DeadlyCoders.org.au/academy

ENQUIRIES:

Phone: 1300 089 344 Email: Andrew@DeadlyCoders.org.au

4. APPLY

Submit your on the Deadly DeadlyCoders.org.au/academy

ENQUIRIES:

Software Engineering Bootcamp

Start your professional career pathway into a dream technology career

WHAT IS THE COURSE?

The Software Engineering Bootcamp is an intensive 16 week program designed to equip Indigenous Australians with essential programming and software development skills. This Bootcamp o�ers a balanced combination of in-person and online learning, providing participants with hands-on experience in programming languages like Python or Java, object-oriented programming (OOP), advanced web development, and software engineering principles such as agile methodology. Students will be well supported, with a comprehensive mentoring program to ensure their learning success through the 16 week course duration.

The Software Engineering Bootcamp is an intensive 16-week program designed to equip Indigenous Australians with essential programming and software development skills. This Bootcampo offers a balanced combination of in-person and online learning, providing participation withhands-on experience in programming languages like Phyton or Java, object-oriented programming (OOP), advanced web development, and software engineering principles such as agile methodology. Students will be well supported, with a comprehensive mentoring program to ensure their learning success through the 16-week course duration.

Participants will build a portfolio of software engineering projects throughout the course, enabling preparation for post-program interviews at leading Australian corporations at the completion of their program. ANZ will supply a laptop and study materials, which

APPLICATION PROCESS

Graduation Congratulation

TODAY! application

Deadly Coders website DeadlyCoders.org.au/academy

ENQUIRIES:

Congratulations to all Goolum Goolum members graduating this year! A special shoutout to those who have dedicated themselves to their studies and achieved this incredible milestone.

089 344 Andrew@DeadlyCoders.org.au

Kelly Britten with a Graduate Certiﬁcate in Family Therapy from La Trobe University is an outstanding accomplishment. It represents dedication, resilience, and a commitment to making a di erence in your community.

Units:

Brett Harrison graduated with a Diploma in Leadership and Management. Everyone celebrated in this journey, we are proud of your achievements and the inspiration you bring to others. Well done, and here's to the next chapter of your success!

Our Goolum Goolum community had an amazing day at the beach with Surﬁng Victoria! From catching waves to relaxing on the sand, everyone enjoyed the fun and connection by the ocean. A big thanks to all who joined and made it special. Check out the highlights below!

Warrnambool

Justice Model

The Yoorrook Justice Commission hearings are now complete, and we await the governments response to all the recommendations and for the Treaty process to push for implementation.

This was a huge undertaking by the Yoorrook commission, and we should not underestimate the courage of Indigenous peoples across the state who stood up and told their stories and truths.

We are in a time and place where racism is overt, particularly in the region we live and work in. I encourage all sta to take time to look at some of the hearings to understand the impacts of colonisation and also appreciate that the work we do here at Goolum is so important to uphold those values of self determination.

Yallum Yallum Justice Model Conference

Goolum Goolum were invited to attend the 2024 Contemporary Restorative Practice –International Conference, alongside RMIT’ s Centre for Innovative Justice, to present to international academics, policy makers, researchers, and professional peak bodies on how restorative justice underpins Yallum Yallum as self-determined justice model. These principles, when combined with the increased cultural resilience generated by stronger connection to Culture and Community, have seen amazing outcomes for each participant involved.

Yallum Yallum has been featured on statewide TV via ABC news Friday 16th of January 2025. The story also ran on nationwide ABC radio, with an interview of Yallum Yallum Elder Aunty Bella Kennedy, and is listed on their website. The story features our own Rodney Douglas and speaks to his journey through Yallum Yallum and the incredible outcomes that true self-determination in justice can bring. Visit www.abc.net.au and search ‘Yallum Yallum’.

We all thank our incredible Yallum Yallum Council of Elders and Respected Persons for their commitment, passion, and leadership. You have created the rst truly self-determined justice model to be embraced by the Magistrates court, Victoria Police, and the Community. We have already seen outcomes that far exceed our greatest expectations.

GGAC New Sta Proﬁles

Family Services

Melbourne Storm

I like reformer/Pilates

Welcome Regan! GGAC Sta Transitioned

Regan Shaw began his journey as a VET student at Goolum Goolum and has now successfully graduated from Holy Trinity Lutheran College, earning the Vocational Major Personal Development Skills Academic Excellence Award. Starting his career at Goolum Goolum, he has grown into his role as an Engagement Worker, showcasing his commitment to supporting and empowering his community.

Welcome back Stumpy!

Deanne King, aka: Stumpy returned to Goolum Goolum in 2024 as a Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) worker, collaborating with Elders. This year, she has taken on the role of an Aboriginal Family-Led Decision-Making (AFLDM) convener, as well as a Njerna Gap-Gap Dyirr convener. She works alongside the department and families to achieve better outcomes for the community, ensuring that families have a voice. Stumpy is excited to start this role and be part of the Family Services Team.

Please contact S aman t h a D arc y

Please contact Kelly Britten

Please contact

Monique Emmett

Please contact Rhianna Peachey

Please contact

S harma Cockerall

and Cultural Support Plans

kelly.britten@goolumgoolum.org.au

Individual and Family Therapy

monique.Emmett@goolumgoolum.org.au

Kinship Care, First Supports and Play Therapy

rhianna.peachey@goolumgoolum.org.au

Tuning Into kids, Tuning Into Teens and Carrier Network Group

sharna.cockerall@g

Don’t miss our Drop-in Clinics on Thursday 30th Jan and 27th Feb (9am-11am) at Aunty Irene’s Room—no appointments needed! Plus, our Mums & Bubs Group is back on Wednesday 5th and 19th Feb (12:30-2pm) for parents and little ones under 12 months.

Enjoy a light lunch and connect with others in the community.