West News Connecting and Partnering with Aboriginal Communities

West news Connecting and partnering with Aboriginal communities

Issue 4 – Winter/Spring 2018

Contents Welcome to West news 2 Deputy Secretary’s message 2 Culturally safe medical centre nears completion 3 Marcus Clarke message 3 NAIDOC Week Celebrations 2018 4 – Courage takes to the streets 4 – Anti-violence game a slam dunk 4 – Because of her, they did 5 Deadly stories 5 Keeping families together 6 YES to launch careers 7 Making his Country proud 8 Twelve Apostles, Contact details 8 Kirrae Whurrong Country. West news

Welcome to Deputy Secretary’s message I’d like to take this • manage service delivery West news opportunity to tell you support at an area level about the great work and strengthen the focus The Department of taking place both within on quality and practice Health and Human the Department of Health improvement Services respectfully and Human Services, and • focus Child Protection acknowledges the the broader sector. operations on delivering Traditional Owners of After many months of statutory services with children and families Country throughout consultation, changes increased executive 4. capture, build and share Victoria and pays its to the organisational leadership at the area Aboriginal knowledge, respect to the ongoing structure of West Division level learning and evidence operations ‘went live’ on living cultures of • strengthen the to inform practice Aboriginal peoples. 25 June, 2018. department’s capacity 5. prioritise Aboriginal The critical changes for responsive, risk- workforce capability. across the divisional informed regulatory In this edition of level of the operational compliance, investigation There has also been West news, we share boundary, and within the and enforcement across a flurry of significant some of the diverse five distinct divisional specified regulatory capital investment ways our community areas of Barwon, Wimmera schemes. across West Division celebrated NAIDOC South West, Central The game changing with several Aboriginal in 2018. Highlands, Brimbank Wungurilwil Gapgapduir: Controlled Community Melton and Western Aboriginal Children and Organisations undergoing Melbourne, will: Families Agreement and renovations or building We learn how a new infrastructure. • provide greater focus Strategic Action Plan was Victorian Aboriginal on continuous quality officially launched on This includes an exciting Child Care Agency- improvement and safety 26 April, 2018 at Parliament new build for the led collaboration for our clients House. Wyndham Aboriginal with community and Community Centre, • increase capacity to Wungurilwil Gapgapduir government is keeping extensions to Ballarat respond at a local level means ‘strong families’ Aboriginal children and District Aboriginal with an integrated in Latji Latji Aboriginal in Out of Home Care Cooperative (see page 3), approach across health, language, which in touch with their a $1m Aboriginal Victoria human services and the appropriately sets the culture through the Community Infrastructure broader service sector, tone and galvanizes the creation of a deadly new grant for Budja Budja including universal principle intent of the plan. resource. Aboriginal Cooperative’s services Co-designed by Aboriginal We hear how an capital works and services and key innovative project is • Improve planning, upgrades, as well as mainstream child service improving the mental performance, a grant of $41,000 for organisations, Wungurilwil health of parents – and program and reform Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Gapgapduir includes five bringing families back implementation and Cooperative for minor central objectives aimed together. agency performance works and upgrades. We at helping to ensure Aboriginal trainees who • bring together functions will keep you updated young people are safe, have been given an that support the delivery on the progress of these resilient and can thrive in opportunity to expand of services and provide works in future editions. culturally-rich Aboriginal their skills, explore strategic oversight families and communities. Finally, the department their employment and management of has launched a new These are: options and, potentially, key processes and and improved public begin a career in the performance 1. encourage Aboriginal website. The visually department, talk about • improve opportunities children and families to appealing site offers their experiences. for clients to provide be strong in culture and visitors a greatly enhanced Finally, Jason Kanoa, feedback to the be proud of their unique experience with a more CEO of Gunditjmara department and ensure identity easily navigable platform Aboriginal Cooperative, responsive, resolution- 2. resource and support that makes it easier to speaks of the rewards of focused processes Aboriginal organisations learn about the services returning to Country in • strengthen the focus on to care for Aboriginal the department delivers. a leadership role. population health and children, families and I recommend you check it We trust you enjoy wellbeing and community communities out at dhhs.vic.gov.au this edition of capacity building efforts 3. commit to culturally Paul Smith West news. at a local or place-based competent and culturally Deputy Secretary, (area) level safe services for staff, West Division

2 Culturally safe medical centre nears completion Ballarat’s expanded service Ballarat for many state-of-the-art, years to come. culturally-appropriate ‘I can’t wait for the opening and safe medical centre and I am looking forward facilities are due to open to inviting the entire before the end of the community, local, state year. wide and beyond, to check The Ballarat and District out the new facilities and Aboriginal Co-operative’s the services that it will be (BADAC) two-storey able to provide,’ Ms Heap medical centre, built says. with the support of the The expanded BADAC Department of Health medical centre facilities and Human Services, are expected to be fully will adjoin the existing operational by late BADAC building in the February, 2019. heart of Ballarat’s CBD. BADAC CEO Karen Heap The centre will oversees the build. continue to provide the community with a wide variety of urgently Marcus Clarke message needed services and Now that West Division’s and its practical programs, including Aboriginal Engagement application, and the some new initiatives. Unit is operating within the philosophy of Aboriginal The expanded facilities new Department of Health community control. will also allow for the and Human Services co-location of programs • Supporting, promoting organisational structure, delivered from other and advising on best it is an opportune time office locations, while practice engagement to provide you with an still serving as a approaches to improve overview of what the unit our connection, to better respond to the culturally-appropriate does. needs and aspirations of and safe space for the accountability and Our unit’s work sits under cultural responsiveness the various communities community to gather within the division. and socialise. the overarching vision and to Aboriginal direction of Korin Korin Organisations and the Overall, the breadth Prominent Aboriginal Balit-Djak: Aboriginal Aboriginal community. of work of the unit is artworks and accents health, wellbeing and • Facilitating a co- quite varied, but the will be featured safety strategic plan outcomes achieved are throughout the building designed approach 2017–2027, and has both with the department’s always grounded in and a large community an internal focus within making a difference in area will have the Aboriginal staff in the the department and West to develop an the communities that capability to be opened an external focus to we serve. on three sides for warm enhanced Aboriginal our stakeholders and Staff Network. The aim The unit, which formally summer days or closed community. is to foster a strong and began in September on all four sides on chilly Internally, the unit’s six- supportive environment 2016, now sits within the winter days. Alongside member team provides for Aboriginal staff to department’s new West the community area will expertise and support to share their experiences Division Population Health, be an outdoor meeting the business areas across of working in the Planning and Aboriginal area, complete with built West Division on such department, and provide Engagement Branch. in seating, fire pit and things as: them with professional The location and contact barbeque. • Building an development details of each team BADAC CEO Karen understanding of opportunities. member can be found Heap says staff and the Aboriginal concepts Externally, the unit works on the back page of this community are taking a and ways of operating in partnership with local newsletter. great deal of interest as to tackle entrenched Aboriginal Community Marcus Clarke the building takes shape disadvantage. This Controlled Organisations, Manager, Aboriginal and begins to become includes the philosophy Aboriginal communities, Engagement Unit, a key centre that will of self-determination and mainstream providers West Division

3 West news NAIDOC Week Celebrations 2018 Courage takes to the streets Grannie Bessie Rawlings, To celebrate this who lived at Framlingham year’s NAIDOC theme, Mission, fought for the Because of her, we can, rights of Aboriginal the council’s Youth people for more than Development Unit 40 years from her kitchen collaborated with Strong table; writing to welfare, Brother Strong Sister on politicians and newspapers the Street Face project to to stand up for her family share stories and photos and community. of Aboriginal women who Grannie Rawlings’ story have made a difference of immense courage and in our communities. resilience in standing firm Aunty Julie Jose, who against threats against contributed the story her family, and never of her great great giving up, was one of many grandmother Grannie highlighted by the City of Rawlings, was one of Greater Geelong’s Street those to be featured by Face arts project during the project in the streets Aunty Julie Jose with her Street Face. NAIDOC Week. of Geelong. Anti-violence game a slam dunk A record crowd turned out to support this year’s Hoops Against Violence clash, which uses basketball as a tool for the community to show it does not accept family violence. In what’s believed to be the biggest community basketball event ever for the Grampians Region, more than 200 children, parents and carers, from ‘We’re already planning for services and activities Players in the Ballarat vs Horsham as far afield as Kaniva and Hoops 2019, which will be from Berry Street, Goolum Community Challenge game. Warrnambool, converged hosted by Horsham, and Goolum, anti-smoking Family Violence Regional on the Ballarat Minerdome we’ll be hoping to build on messages and the popular Action Group coordinator. for two days of competition the success of the Ballarat Deadly Bikes project. A big thanks is due to the between teams made up Hoops event.’ Parents who had coached event organisers, Victorian of Aboriginal community With almost double the their children’s teams Aboriginal Community members and Victoria number of players than during the year were able Services Association, Police. in 2017, more community, to take part in coaching Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Robyn Lauricella, from parents and police classes, where they shared Cooperative, Australian Goolum Goolum Aboriginal members were kept tips and learned new skills. Indigenous Mentoring Cooperative, was one of busy this year, including ‘It is just getting bigger Experience, Ballarat the event organisers. being called into action; and bigger every year, it & District Aboriginal ‘My family has been involved collecting and cutting up was such a great turnout,’ Cooperative and the local from the very first event fruit for the hungry players. says Rhiannon Smith, communities for pulling off and we look forward to The event also provided Wimmera South West Area, a sensational slam dunk Hoops each year,’ she says. an opportunity to promote Grampians Indigenous of an event.

4 Deadly NAIDOC Week Celebrations 2018 stories A desire to keep Aboriginal children in out- of-home (OoHC) care connected to their culture was the Aboriginal motivation behind the and Torres Strait creation of a deadly Islander Communities. website resource that It also has an events is attracting thousands calendar; service of visitors. directories; interactive The need to ensure an activities; and, a ongoing meaningful collection of Aboriginal connection with culture news sources. was identified by both Launched in November Taskforce 1000, which 2017, the engaging site analysed the experience had already attracted of Aboriginal children 62,479 page views by in OoHC, and the August this year. Commission for Children ‘The feedback has and Young People been extraordinarily, 2016’s Report Always overwhelmingly positive. (Rear) Troy Lovett, Maddie Barr, Taryn Bell, Jess Lovett-Murray, was always will be Koori ‘Carers have said it is a Tyleah Barr, Kayden Bell, Maddie Kanoa and DWECH CEO John Bell, children. fantastic resource.’ (front) Rhani Reiri, Annabelle Barr and Saige Bell. Subsequently, as The Deadly Stories project Because of her, they did part of the Victorian has been created in Government’s Roadmap partnership with SNAICC, A group of Aboriginal ‘The crowd loved it, it for Reform: strong families, The Koorie Heritage dancers, aged between was family and they had safe children, every Trust, the Federation four to 14-years-old, never seen them dancing Aboriginal child in OoHC of Victorian Traditional took this year’s NAIDOC on their own, so they now has a cultural plan. Owners Corporation and theme to heart when they were really surprised and ‘Deadly story was Brightlabs, in conjunction performed their first solo impressed. created as a resource to with the Department gig at the opening of the ‘The main dance they support non-Aboriginal of Health and Human South West NAIDOC Ball, did was The Basket carers of Aboriginal Services. in Portland. Weaving Story. Baskets children, practitioners The eight girls are part were very important to and Aboriginal children Deadly feedback of the larger mixed our ancestors, they used and young people as ‘I am a non-Indigenous Koondoom Yarkeen dance them to catch eels and part of that process,’ woman looking to group, but organiser Troy fish in the fish basket, so says Victorian Aboriginal learn as much as I can Lovett says the NAIDOC the girls’ dance told the Child Care Agency State- regarding Aboriginal theme of ‘Because of her, story of how the women wide Coordinator Emma and Torres Strait we can’ persuaded them would go out and collect Bamblett. Islanders in the context to go out on their own the grass and come back Deadlystory.com includes of social justice. This and perform a dance, and weave it together and an interactive map that has been very helpful. and accompanying song, then go out and set the allows users to learn Thank you.’ that they had created markers and catch the about the customs, ‘I am seeking themselves. eels.’ practices and stories of permission to use your ‘They were pretty daunted Whilst the girls enjoy the people and land; an tool offered on the site by the idea at the start, hanging out together, the historical timeline that to assist in developing highlights significant usually when they dance importance of what they a cultural plan for our people, stories and I do the singing for them, are doing does not escape young people…’ events from before so they had to learn and them, Troy says. ‘The page looks great invasion to the present practise doing it, but it ‘They definitely understand and I will definitely be day; and, interviews with was a big boost to their the significance of passing having a look at it with role models and Elders confidence. They were very down those stories and the kids.’ who contribute to the professional,’ Troy says. keeping the culture alive.’

5 West news

Keeping families together An innovative project that developed to reduce works with Aboriginal the health gap between parents whose mental Aboriginal Victorians and illness puts their kids the general population in at risk of entering the relation to suicide, mental child protection system illness and psychological has achieved 14 child distress. reunifications and solid The BADAC Keela improvements to its Borron project has been clients’ mental health. funded for three years to The Ballarat and District design, develop, test and Aboriginal Cooperative’s implement a culturally- partnered with BADAC BADAC CEO Karen Heap (BADAC) Keela Borron appropriate model of to provide specialist (centre) with the BADAC Keela project, which means care that is innovative psychiatric assessment Borron Project Team. ‘speak children’ in and clinically responsive. and consultation to the needs, care coordination, Wathaurong language, The model is to address BADAC Keela Borron advocacy and parental began taking referrals in the needs of parents clinical team. By working skill development. July 2017. In the 12 months of Aboriginal children, alongside the area mental The project has also since, 34 families have where moderate to severe health service, the team established several group exited the parental mental mental illness, combined has minimised barriers to programs, including health program following with complex health, specialist mental health psycho-education and reunification and closure trauma and social issues, care, ensuring clients self-management, from child protective places their children at can access specialist parenting skills, services. risk of entering the child consultation, treatment mindfulness and stress protection system. and care planning in a reduction, communication One of BADAC Keela The project also supports timely and efficient way. skills and life skills Borron’s priorities family reunification, where Ms Heap anticipates programs. has been developing the parent’s mental illness developing collaborative ‘By supporting parents relationships and has already resulted in partnerships between to address their mental streamlining referral child protective services Aboriginal Community health needs and other pathways with other involvement. Controlled Health life stressors, parents service providers… ‘Aboriginal children are Organisations (ACCHOs) have been able to gain 12 times more likely to be in and mainstream mental an insight into why their In addition, regular care than non-Aboriginal health services will children have, or are at risk assessments of mental children,’ Ms Heap says. improve the social and of being placed in care,’ Ms health outcomes have ‘This over representation emotional wellbeing of Heap says. shown a significant needs to be addressed. Aboriginal people, families A year in, the project’s drop in the depression, Using a trauma-informed and communities. impact on families is clear. anxiety and stress levels view of the complexities ‘With the recruitment ‘By measuring the levels experienced by clients. faced by Aboriginal of experienced mental of depression, anxiety and Chief Executive Officer communities and building health professionals to stress using the DASS21 of BADAC, Karen Heap resilience and self work alongside Aboriginal self-assessment tool, we says the program’s determination is a key workers with cultural and have been able to monitor success, ‘highlights the focus of this project.’ community knowledge, the improvements across strength of culturally One of BADAC Keela team have been able to these domains. So far, the appropriate, flexible and Borron’s priorities has been identify gaps in services results have been positive, multidisciplinary models developing relationships and supports that are showing an average of care’. and streamlining referral contributing to the distress improvement of 30 per BADAC Keela Borron pathways with other and frustrations parents cent,’ Ms Heap says. is one of the initiatives service providers to experience when their ‘Providing a supportive, stemming from the prevent duplication of children are in out of home culturally safe mental Department of Health services and to ensure care.’ health program that is and Human Services Balit a co-ordinated service The service model specifically designed to Murrup: Aboriginal Social response. includes assessment of suit the needs of the local and Emotional Wellbeing Ballarat Health Service’s mental health and other community is making Framework, which was Mental Health Service has health and social support a difference.’

6 YES to launch careers A trainee program is giving Aboriginal youth the skills and experience they need to launch a career in government. Gail Lister, from West Division’s Workforce Services, says the Youth Employment Scheme (YES) targets young people who would likely struggle to break into employment. ‘Youth unemployment is crazy high and its very, very hard for young people to gain employment, Public Service) role at the YES trainees Cara Malone particularly in regional end of it,’ Ms Lister says. and Mickitja Rotumah-Onus. Cara (Yorta-Yorta/ areas, so these types of Wiradjuri) ‘Some of them come the department has five programs really help,’ from a background of Aboriginal YES trainees. ‘I plan on completing a Ms Lister says. third or fourth generation ‘We have well over 80 per Bachelor of Social Work, YES is a 12-month welfare dependency. By cent stay. Of the ones who but want to get more traineeship that couples them securing long-term, do leave, we tend to lose work experience first.’ on-the-job training with ongoing employment it them to other areas of Mickitja (Gunditjmara/ TAFE. changes the situation for government because they Iwaidja) By the end of the year, the the entire family.’ have gained those skills in ‘I’ve been able to improve trainees have experience Whilst YES is a mainstream working for government.’ my communication and a Certificate III or IV, program, West Division Ms Lister says she has the skills, time management which leads them into sees it as a great way capacity to double the skills and build on my a two-year government to encourage more program’s intake over the confidence.’ cadetship. Aboriginal young people next 12 months. You can Caitlin (Narangga) ‘It’s about getting people to gain experience in the learn more about YES ‘I have learnt a whole lot up to capacity so we can Department of Health and at jobs.vic.gov.au or call of new things while doing offer them a VPS (Victorian Human Services. Currently, Ms Lister on 9275 7336. my traineeship with the department; mainly about recruitment.’ Ricky (Yorta Yorta) ‘(It has given) me an opportunity to take my time and see what feels comfortable for me or potentially spark a passion for a particular field in the department.’ Samuel (Bidjara) ‘I have met and been mentioned in a speech by the Secretary. I have also had the opportunity to meet many other amazing staff members that have become very close friends.’ Gail Lister (L) with YES trainee Caitin Smith. YES trainee Ricky Davies.

7 West news

Making his Country proud Editor: Kate Robertson When Jason Kanoa moved community to lead Publisher: West Division, off Country to live in a fulfilling life under Department of Health and Melbourne at the age of the banner of self- Human Services 15, he always planned to determination and culture.’ Authorised and published by return. But snaring a key Jason has already used the Victorian Government, leadership role, as the CEO his extensive involvement 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. of Gunditjmara Aboriginal with Aboriginal men’s © State of Victoria, Cooperative, has made family violence programs Department of Health the impact of his return to expand Gunditjmara’s and Human Services, to Country even more response to the issue. October 2018. significant. ‘I’m very passionate about Except where otherwise Gunditjmara CEO Jason Kanoa indicated, the images in this Jason’s 21 years work family violence,’ Jason experience in Aboriginal Under Jason’s watch, publication show models and says. illustrative settings only, and Community Controlled Gunditjmara has also ‘I understand the impacts do not necessarily depict Organisations, Aboriginal expanded its remit to it has on our community, actual services, facilities or Community Controlled include a Children and particularly with kids. With recipients of services. Health Organisations, Families Division with a a large proportion of the This publication may and in the Department manager and kinship roles. kids we see in out of home contain images of deceased of Health and Human care, it is directly related to Another immediate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Services, has given him firm family violence. I’ve been priority is consulting with Islander peoples. Where the ideas about how he wants a carer for a number of the community about term ‘Aboriginal’ is used it to lead his community. refers to both Aboriginal and years and it’s really put me Gunditjmara’s plans to ‘I want to take a strength- consolidate all its services Torres Strait Islander people. in a place where I wanted Indigenous is retained when based approach with in one building. to do more in that space it is part of the title of a all our services and and really try and make Whilst the role has been report, program or quotation. responses,’ he says. ‘I think some change. challenging at times, Jason that’s really important, so ‘We already had a women’s says the past 16 months To receive this our community can move response to family violence have been very rewarding. forward in today’s world. publication in an at Gunditj, but I have ‘It’s been great to get back accessible format ‘I think for too long we have actually started some home on Country with my had a reactive service men’s responses because family, my young ones (he phone 03 5561 9462 response, so I’m really keen I think it’s a problem that has three children aged using the National to implement an integrated should be addressed by between six and 15 years Relay Service proactive approach and both keeping women old) and my partner, and in get into early intervention and children safe, and a leadership capacity. 13 36 77 if required, and prevention. challenging men on their ‘The mob have been really or email marcus. ‘I want to build strength part in family violence receptive, the kids have [email protected]. and capacity in the situations.’ just settled in like they gov.au Contact details have lived here all their lives, and the extra benefit Printed by Sunnyland Offset, MARCUS CLARKE Warrnambool of being around your Mildura. (1809017) Manager P: 03 5561 9462 M: 0428 428 552 family and community has ISSN 2208-7109 - Print format E: [email protected] really been comforting. JULIE JOSE Geelong (Monday to Thursday) ISSN 2208-7117 - Online ‘It was always a plan of Senior Adviser M: 0419 535 264 (pdf / word) format E: [email protected] mine to go home and let my kids experience what Available at https://www2. LINDI DIETZEL Geelong health.vic.gov.au/west-news Senior Adviser M: 0408 425 798 I experienced growing Contributions to West news E: [email protected] up; because there’s nothing more powerful for are welcome. However, JULIAN HARVEY Ballarat Aboriginal people than please note that we cannot Senior Adviser P: 03 5333 6014 M: 0409 351 567 print every article received. E: [email protected] growing up on Country. The decision to include an DIANNE SZKIRKA Geelong/Footscray ‘It’s something that we as article will be made by the Senior Adviser M: 0429 334 672 Aboriginal people draw Editor and we reserve the E: [email protected] upon for strength and right to edit material. SANDY HODGE Horsham resilience to be able to go Contributions may Senior Adviser P: 03 5381 9719 M: 0439 837 014 out on Country and feel the be forwarded to: E: [email protected] spirits and presence of our Marcus Clarke, Manager SYD FRY Geelong old people and appreciate Aboriginal Engagement Unit, Senior Adviser P: 03 5226 4712 M: 0458 332 998 the land is very powerful West Division email: marcus. [email protected] E: [email protected] and awe-inspiring.’