May 2024

GOOLUM News

Goolum’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations

What an amazing time of celebrations and Community connection at Goolum Goolum’s 40th Anniversary. It began with a Family Day on Sunday February 11th. The celebration was held at The Stable, Horsham Maydale Pavillion. To mark this momentous milestone, specially designed merchandise was available for all Community. Delicious food, a beautiful circus performer, talented face painting & gorgeous tiny goats stole the show.

The weather on the day peaked around 36 degrees which did affect many but thankfully the large fans & water spray provided some relief on the day. We

continued the celebrations with an Anniversary Cabarat on Friday April 5th. Where we commemorated four decades of community, culture and collaboration. It was an unforgettable night of celebration and cheer.

Goolum GoolumAboriginal Co-operative respectfully acknowledgesthatouroffices are basedon unceded land ofthe Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawajali, Wergaia and Jupagulkpeoples. We pay ourrespectstotheirancestors, and to Elders, both past andpresent, andto the future Elders and caretakersof this land. Alwayswas, alwayswill be, Aboriginal Land.

Dalki Muwill

Maybe I’m just getting old – but isn’t another year flying by!

Firstly, a big congratulations to all involved with the formal 40th year celebrations.

A lot of preparation, planning and budgeting was all rewarded with what was unanimously described as the Best Night Ever!

I can’t think of a better way to pay respects to our Elders past and present – it was by all reports a celebration of where we have come from, what we are today and where we are going to in the future.

It was nice to hear community reflecting on this and Goolum today with its broad and increasing range of supports and services is testament to all those who have come before us.

Its FLU season – I urge everyone to roll their sleeves up and get the jab – 10 minutes of your time is a small price to pay to reduce the potentially devastating impacts of full-blown Flu. For those eligible for COVID boosters – go for it.

Its good to hear of so many of our community back involved with football, netball and other winter activities. To all of our students stick at your schooling and studies and we look forward to assisting your thinking about future careers and study opportunities at the Careers Expo to be held in August.

Our community hub is progressing well and I am more than happy to organise for any of our community to come and do a tour of the new building – we are still aiming for completion in the back half of the year.

Just let us know if you are interested and we will arrange a site visit.

Meet the Goolum Goolum Board of Directors

Morgan

Britten

Gorton

Ants, Goolum CEO

Jake Goodes

40th Anniversary Family Day

Goolum Goolum and BGLC have joined forces this year to bring you a deadly 2024 Naidoc Week. The theme this year is “Keep The Fire Burning! Blak, Loud And Proud” We have a family fun day on Monday for the Opening Ceremony, Tuesday & Thursday will be visiting historical rock art sites with BGLC and Thursday afternoon is our annual Art Exhibition Opening at the Horsham Regional Art Gallery. We are calling all artists to submit their work by June 21st. More information to follow.

The Goolum Goolum Pathways Expo is an opportunity for First Nations’ secondary school students to learn about and explore different employment and further education pathway opportunities, leading up to and following the completion of their secondary education. The Expo highlights a range of opportunities for local Indigenous students in the areas on Tertiary education support and scholarships, Traineeships and Careers. An initiative of Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-Operative commencing in 2022, the Expo is also attended by a large range of different organisations and professions – Police, Ambulance, Armed Forces, Forest and Land Conservation, Local Council, hairdressers, bricklayers, plasterers, and plumbers (amongst many others), offering interactive stalls, exhibits and hands-on activities for visiting Indigenous students from throughout the greater Wimmera and Northern Grampians region.

Get a free flu shot.

The best way to avoid flu this winter is to get a flu shot. Free flu shots are available for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over. This is because Islanders are at greater risk of getting very sick from the flu. Flu shots are especially important for pregnant women and can help protect the baby for the first few months of life. You should get vaccinated each year from mid protected before the flu season, which is usually June to September in most parts of Australia.

It is important to get the vaccine every year, as influenza virus strains can change from one season to the next.

Practice healthy hygiene

To protect yourself and others from flu, you can do the following:

1. Stay at home if you are sick with cold and flu symptoms. If you need to leave home when you are sick, wear a mask and avoid contact with people at higher risk of severe illness.

2. Avoid contact with people who are sick. Wear a mask if you are unable to stay away from other people in crowded indoor spaces.

3. Wash your hands often. Use soap and water and wash for 20 seconds. When you can't wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.

4. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands.

5. Clean frequently touched surfaces, particularly when people are sick.

Book an appointment for a free flu shot today at the clinic- you will receive a $25 Coles voucher. COVID boosters are also available.

Men’s Health Day

We had another successful Men’s Health Day on Wednesday the 24th of April. Uncle Ron did cultural activities, and they enjoyed a bbq for lunch, it was well attended with 20 men enjoying the serenity of the river and the cold crisp weather!!

Elders Bare Foot Bowling

Our Elders got to enjoy bare foot bowling and a bbq at the bowling green. Congratulations Uncle Mooki on winning the competition!!

Speech Pathology

We have welcomed our lovely speech pathologist Mary Jean (MJ) to the clinic!! MJ works every second Monday alternating between Horsham and Stawell, for more information on this service please call the clinic on 53816301.

Audiologist

Tim Raynor will be at the Clinic on May 30 checks, please call the clinic on 53816303 for an appointment.

Women’s Health

For all your Women’s health needs Selina Pilgrim is available on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for appointments.

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