Waagir Bandimayi | Edition 3 | September 2020

WAAGIR BANDIMAYI | EDITION 3 | SEPTEMBER 2020

WELCOME TO THE THIRD EDITION OF WAAGIR BANDIMAYI

Darkinyung language for Coast Messenger

Barang has continued to work with our six local Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to keep our community informed, to share information, give updates and keep all of our community involved.

This month, our Board and staff met to begin the process of developing the new Strategic Plan 2020 – 2022 for Barang Regional Alliance, to continue to advocate and represent the voices and needs of the Aboriginal community here on the Central Coast.

Barang means tomorrow. This is your information and we are your regional alliance. We invite you to share, participate and continue to be involved - please feel free to contact us to share your thoughts and to give us feedback about what you would like to see included.

I am Barang, You are Barang, We are Barang Regional Alliance Central Coast.

What’s inside?

Our newsletter name is Darkinyung language. Barang Regional Alliance has sought and received permission to use this as per cultural protocol. Celebrating 25 Years of Health, Wellbeing and Care Yerin Eleanor Duncan

NEW OPTOMETRIST SERVICES Yerin Eleanor Duncan is pleased to welcome Optometrist, Patrizia Ranieri. Patrizia will be available to Yerin Eleanor Duncan patients every second Friday. For an appointment and to see if you are eligible please call Terri on 02 4350 0222.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation The Glen

The Glen boys have managed to continue to adapt to the COVID-19 situation and have worked out new and exciting ways to share culture and perform our Celebratory Dance, which has been created and performed while adhering to social distancing guidelines. It was performed for the Indigenous Marathon Foundations Warrior Run. The Glen dancers have opened the event every year by performing the dance in Sydney’s Centennial Park. This year’s run was held virtually, and The Glen boys were also invited to participate in both the 2km walk and the 5km run.

2 WAAGIR BANDIMAYI Proudly Dancing on Darkinjung Land NAISDA Dance College

It has been well over a month since our Developing Artists returned to campus. After many weeks of online learning remotely from homes, families and communities nationwide during lockdown, we were delighted to welcome our 2020 NAISDA cohort back for a fresh term of living, learning and training on Darkinjung Land. As we adjusted to the new normality and social restrictions under COVID, we all felt it was important to connect back to Country and each other through culture, storying, smoking, sharing and support. Cultural nourishment, safety and resilience are foundations for wellness at NAISDA and so Term Three began with a special yarning day of cultural and creative reflection, discussion, dance and of course fun, to keep our NAISDA family strong and healthy. A big thank you to everyone who took part, particularly Darkinjung Elder Uncle Gavi, NAISDA Board Director Wesley Enoch and Chair of NAISDA Board of Studies Dr Nerida Blair for leading discussions, connections and making it such a powerful, warm and enriching day.

Culturally Informed Pathways to Employment and Training Bara Barang

This month has been an exciting one for Bara Barang as we grew our team with the hire of two new team members to deliver and expand our services to the community. The next few weeks will see us welcome the new team members. We will also be commencing a pilot Diploma of Leadership and Management Program for people in leadership roles within community organisations to help them expand and develop their skills and build capability across our community. Bara Barang has partnered with BSI Learning to provide training opportunities for our community and help in building meaningful With COVID-19 placing undue stress on our careers for our Aboriginal young people. Our families, please remember our wonderful Aunty driving program is still up and running however Betty is still providing financial counselling with limited spaces available. services remotely during this time.

WAAGIR BANDIMAYI 3 Community Connections Gudjagang Ngara li-Dhi (GNL)

#ALWAYSWASALWAYSWILLBE

GNL continues the struggle to get the recognition and understanding from the wider community around the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. We are committed to continuing the protest last words uttered by both George Floyd and through ongoing conversations and we are David Dungay, ‘I can’t breathe’. planning our first exhibition at The Space with the working title, Black Lives Matter – I Can’t Breathe. The exhibition is scheduled to coincide with NAIDOC week from 8 to 15 November 2020. We are calling for local Aboriginal artists to contribute works in any style or medium that If you have any questions and would like to be captures the meaning and essence behind the involved, please contact Brad Webb, Curator on: Black Lives Matter movement and those powerful 0419 499 921 or [email protected].

Connecting the Aboriginal Community on the Peninsula Mingaletta

Mingaletta remains closed to the public until Brothers, together and all other programs, are on further notice, and open to members by hold until further notice due to the pandemic. appointment only. This includes community meetings as well as our Aunty Jean’s program is continuing on Facebook planned AGM. from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Tuesdays. This year marks 20 years of Mingaletta and we The Thursday Elder’s group is continuing, with ask community to remember this and as soon social distancing measures in place. as we are able to, we will celebrate Mingaletta through the years. Mingaletta asks that given the recent case of COVID-19 in Woy Woy that all community members stay vigilant and if you are showing symptoms please get tested and follow public health advice.

4 WAAGIR BANDIMAYI NEW CENTRAL COAST ABORIGINAL DATA NETWORK - NGIYANG WAYAMA

This month we have finalised the establishment of our first ever local Aboriginal Data Network for the Central Coast. The network has endorsed the name – Ngiyang Wayama, Darkinjung language words meaning “we all talk” which we are grateful to have had gifted to us by local leadership as per cultural protocol. The concept of establishing a local Aboriginal-led data network was initiated by Barang Regional Alliance to build the capacity of local Aboriginal establish regional data sovereignty for the people here on the Central Coast to engage with, Central Coast. collect and use data for the benefit of our local Ngiyang Wayama brings together partnerships community where data is used to highlight our with Central Coast Aboriginal community strengths rather than to show us our deficits. members and organisations, and is supported by The primary focus of our data network is to universities, government and corporate partners.

DIPLOMA OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR CENTRAL COAST ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY

This month marks the commencement of an Aboriginal organisations to ensure all views exciting project led by Bara Barang Corporation were incorporated regarding the provision of a in partnership with BSI Learning to deliver culturally safe learning environment, as well as a culturally safe Diploma of Leadership and to discuss the objectives that will benefit our Management program that is offered to community as a result of this program. members of our local Aboriginal community here Bara Barang Corporation is looking forward on the Central Coast. to continuing work with our local community This program is designed to benefit our to provide pathways to programs like this, to community by developing leadership capacity, benefit and build capability for our mob. allow for progression planning, creating opportunities for increased cooperation between community organisations and by providing best practice services. A consultation was held with key stakeholders including representatives from our local

WAAGIR BANDIMAYI 5 STAFF PROFILE

Introducing Glenda Simpson Administration / Project Officer

Glenda is a proud Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay woman from north western NSW, who has been living on the Central Coast for almost five years. Holding a Bachelor of Education, Glenda has previously worked for TAFE NSW across a number of Aboriginal communities in the Committee, Community Working Parties, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Aboriginal Cell Support, Community College Plains and the Northwest region of NSW. Education Board, Executive Committee Glenda also has qualifications in administration, Aboriginal Support Network, and of course accounting and finance. Barang’s Youth Summits here on the Central Coast. Glenda has worked across Ygal Yalla Forum (youth forum), ASSPA Committee, Local AECG Our longest serving team member, Glenda Committee, Homework Centre Management started working with Barang in April 2017.

GET IN TOUCH

Barang Regional Alliance Opt In Organisations

Hours of business Bara Barang Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (02) 4312 5133 Barang Regional Alliance is moving office. [email protected] Our new address will be: Gudjagang Ngara li-Dhi (GNL) [email protected] 96 PACIFIC HWY, WYONG Mingaletta PO BOX 6, WYONG NSW 2259 0432 222 794 02 4351 3225 [email protected] [email protected] NAISDA Dance College BARANG.ORG.AU (02) 4340 3100 [email protected] @barangregionalalliance The Glen @AllianceBarang (02) 4388 6360 @barang_regional_alliance [email protected] Yerin Eleanor Duncan (02) 4351 1040 [email protected]

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