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1 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation ICN 1471 N D A L S B P P I B B G K TRIBAL BOUNDARIES BB AFTER HOWITT’S SKETCH MAP NOT TO BE USED FOR NAT IVE TITLE PURPOSES T
B B A ckn owledg m ent of Co u ntry Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation acknowledges the custodians of the lands on which we provide our services, the Brataualung and Brayakaulung peoples, and pay our respects to elders past, present and future.
B B K TB
From left to right: BRATAUALUNG people in South Gippsland. From Cape Liptrap and Tarwin Meadows east to the mouth of Merriman Creek; inland to near Mirboo; at Port Albert and Wilsons Promontory. BRAYAKAULUNG people around the current site of Sale. Providence Ponds, Avon and Latrobe rivers; west of Lake Wellington to Mt. Saw Saw and Mt. Howitt. BRABRALUNG people in Central Gippsland. Mitchell, Nicholson, and Tambo rivers; south to about Bairnsdale and Bruthen. TATUNGALUNG people near Lakes Entrance on the coast. Along Ninety Mile Beach and about Lakes Victoria and Wellington from Lakes Entrance southwest to mouth of Merriman Creek, also on Raymond Island in Lake King. KRAUATUNGALUNG people near the Snowy River. Cape Everard (Point Hicks) to Lakes Entrance; on Cann, Brodribb, Buchan, and Snowy rivers; inland to about Black Mountain Co ntents
Message from Chairperson 4 Chief Executive Offi cer Message 5 Family Services 7 Community Services 12 Primary Health Care Services 16 Economic Development 24 Other Activities 28 Financial Summary Report 30 Our Funders 31
Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation is Accredited under ISO 9001:2015 and the Human Services Standards
3 Message from the Chairperson
Wunman Njinde everyone
What a year 2019/20 has been with I thank the fi nance team and CEO for COVID and the restrictions placed on us all. I their hard work passing the fi nancial audits hope everyone has kept healthy and strong. and completing training and installation of I would like to applaud our CEO David our new fi nancial system. Ramahyuck is in a Morgan, Executive Assistant Caron Henebery deadly fi nancial state with exciting ventures and all our staff during this time of COVID such as the new medical and dental building with all the work they did. A big thank in the fi nal stage of planning. Hopefully you for the food hampers provided to the construction work will commence very soon Aboriginal community. ey were deadly and and the opening of the facility should be in much appreciated. mid-2021. e Ramahyuck solar farm project is e Ramahyuck Board has gone through going along smoothly with widespread interest some changes with a Director resigning; thank in this venture not only from local business you Tanya Harris for your commitment and and the State Government, but also from dedication and welcome to a new Director, other Aboriginal organisations who want to be Samantha Farnham. involved in similar projects. With the support from our CEO the ere has also been good employment Board has kept to our monthly Board meetings growth, thanks to our new funding, which even though restrictions limited contact. is also exciting and gives job opportunities Meetings have been held via the internet and for our community. I thank all Directors for your commitment On behalf of the Ramahyuck Board I send Deborah Leon through this diffi cult time. our congratulations to Merinda Harrison- Following the Annual General Meeting of Drake (pictured and see page 28) for her 2019 the Board has made it a priority to ensure Australia day award, well done. that the voice of the community is heard. e CEO and staff have worked very hard Stay safe and healthy in applying for more grant funding to fulfi ll Yarrabee community requests, some of which we have Deborah Leon. been successful.
4 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Offi cer Message
Hello everyone. I have now completed my But enough of doom and gloom, the third year at Ramahyuck, and what a time it 2019/20 year was also one of great success for has been. When the year commenced in July Ramahyuck. Our new mental health program 2019, we were suff ering from a drought that commenced operating and we added an alcohol had been dragging on for several years. en and other drug component in August 2019. in October 2019 the bushfi res started in outer is is a program our community has been Gippsland and their impact did not reduce calling out to be established for many years until February 2020. e bushfi res were the and thanks to the Department of Health and worst for many years and we all suff ered the Human Services and the Primary Health eff ects of the smoke as it cloaked Gippsland for Network, we now have a well-resourced mental several weeks. We were only just getting over health program with highly qualifi ed staff the bushfi res and smoke when the pandemic operating fi ve days per week. struck. COVID-19 is the fi rst major pandemic Our major achievement for year just since 1919 and as I write this report, we passed was the fi nalisation of the new continue to suff er its most disastrous impact on Ramahyuck Five Year Strategic Plan. After how we live our daily lives. Social distancing, extensive consultation with community, hand sanitiser and face masks are now a part Directors and employers the plan was formally of what we must do to stay safe and will be approved in early 2020 and became operational for a long time to come. I think it is fair to say on 1 July 2020. Due to COVID we have not that COVID-19 has changed us, society and been able to hold a community meeting to the community we live in. But one thing that I launch the strategic plan, but this will occur David Morgan am really pleased to write is that I have seen us when we can safely meet up again. working together and helping each other where Another achievement was Ramahyuck we can. I hope this is how we will remember passing our ISO 9001:2015 re-certifi cation these events in years to come. Remembering audit. is is the second re-certifi cation audit I the positive community spirit that came out of have supervised and it is so pleasing to see that the mire of suff ering and tragedy, rather than all staff take the quality of our service provision the restrictions, that we had to have, which CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 impacted so much on how we lived.
5 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 and development of initial site plans. Work is seriously. is was a tremendous effort and I currently underway on the costs of connecting thank all involved. a 5MW solar farm to the power grid, as well We also saw the finalisation of the as sourcing entities to purchase the power title transfers for the last of the Ramahyuck and to finance the solar farm construction. properties. e farm and warehouse are now Next year I hope to announce that we are well under the total control of Ramahyuck after on the way to construction and potentially the Australian Government removed the final commissioning of the Ramahyuck Solar Farm. caveats on the properties. We were also funded Once operational the surplus funds generated to implement a new financial management by the solar farm will be used to support the information system. Since 2001, Ramahyuck provision of health and welling services to the had been using Reckon Accounts, a very Gippsland Aboriginal community as well as good accounting software package, but it had other community support activities. limitations and with the recent organisational ere were many other achievements growth it was decided to implement Business and activities of note throughout the year and Central, a much more customisable financial these are covered in other sections of this management system, which will grow with annual report. But one I must mention is that Ramahyuck over the coming years. e new of Merinda Harrison-Drake, our Morwell accounting system went live in February and Clinic Practice Coordinator, who was awarded we also implemented new payroll software, the Order of Australia Medal in the 2020 which went live on July 1 2020. We are already Queen’s Birthday honours, for her service benefiting from the improved technology and to Indigenous health in Gippsland. is is a as time goes by these benefits will increase. fantastic achievement and I pass on my sincere In October 2019, we launched the congratulations to Merinda. Ramahyuck Arts and Craft Shop operating I conclude my report by thanking the from our 117 Foster Street building. Many Ramahyuck Directors for their most valued, community members have placed items they ongoing support. We, the Ramahyuck staff, have made for sale in the shop and sales were could not do our jobs without this support. starting to increase just when COVID struck ank you, thank you, thank you. I also thank and of course the shop had to close. We now all Ramahyuck staff for your tremendous have an online shop as well and this can be efforts and commitment over what has been accessed through www.ramahyuck.shop. both a rewarding and somewhat challenging It’s a great site and I recommend you visit it year. However, we are seeing daylight and with to have a look. the groundwork we have put in place we will Over the year we progressed work on move on to better times and we will continue the Ramahyuck Solar Farm Project. We to provide the health and wellbeing services now have the Indigenous Land and Sea our community so deservedly require. Corporation (ILSC) as a potential major funder and the ILSC covered the cost of all David Morgan due diligence work such as environmental Chief Executive Officer. and cultural assessments, financial modelling
6 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Fa m i ly S e r v i c e s
Wanjana Lidj Over the year, Wanjana Lidj has had MATES training: i s signifi cant growth in terms of program training was undertaken funding; strengthening of our current and one of our practitioners once again partnerships and new partnerships formed. We gave opportunity for staff to have in also embarked on a signifi cant training regime depth debates and conversations around with the engagement of the Bouverie Centre Violence and how it is everybody’s to provide staff onsite training. Some of the responsibility. training undertaken was as follows: DV Alert – tailored to Aboriginal First Steps: is workshop off ered Services: Designed for health, allied the opportunity to build on skills and health and community frontline experience when working with families as workers supporting Aboriginal well as keeping the family in mind when and Torres Strait Islander working with individuals. e training held communities, the Indigenous Aboriginal knowledge as the foundation and DV-alert workshop enabled drew on the wisdom of those in the room to participants to recognise the signs make it relevant. of domestic and family violence, Clinical Supervision: All Ramahyuck how to respond appropriately and Management undertook this training, which refer the case if necessary, within was a 6 day intensive course exploring diff erent our communities. types of supervision with the overall view Training also occurred around of ensuring a high level of client welfare; Best Interest Practice (BIP); Child support of staff and guidance in relation to Development and education as case management. well as child’s play. Further training Healing families: is 2-day integrated was going to be undertaken but was workshop came from a strengths based interrupted due to COVID 19. approach with some of the learning As stated earlier our partnerships outcomes as follows: have strengthened with an increase • Explored trauma from a historical and in the service provision with Berry collective context Street Take Two and the ability to be • Built practical skills around developing able to off er more assessments; consultations more therapeutic relationships & explored with staff and this program now supports culturally appropriate genograms and facilitates refl ective practice sessions • Provided a greater awareness of for staff . We have also expanded our cultural safety principles when working partnership with the Queen Elizabeth with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Centre and their provision of consultation, Islander families building resource portfolios Worker Wellbeing: e workshop and information and education provided the opportunity for workers to sessions for staff development. gain a critical understanding of vicarious Both these partnerships are trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout and invaluable and a fantastic how these issues are linked to Aboriginal resource for all our staff and workers’ cultural load. e workshop provided Community as a whole. a framework for understanding the impact Due to our expansion of trauma individually and collectively on of family programs in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Wellington Shire of this year and provides a safe space to acknowledge and we moved into a newly rented respond to participant’s experience. eory offi ce space in Sale. e new building has an and research were interwoven with experiential amazing atmosphere, is warm and welcoming. exercises, aimed at promoting vicarious Everyone is urged to pop in and visit the team. resilience along with resourcing workers in CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 order to sustain them in their roles.
7 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 We would be proud to show you around. It was held in Lakes Entrance and given it was is year has seen some overall great the beginning of COVID 19 – well attended. work. All staff have contributed to working Minister Luke Donnellan attending the second with their families which has seen some day in which Sharnah Burgess-Bock (Team amazing, positive and outstanding results. We Leader); Deb Burke (Aboriginal Stronger have achieved all of this under some major Families Practitioner); Jenny Moloney (Practice challenges with not only the bush fi res but Leader) and Alysha Lawrence (Take Two – then COVID 19. e fl exibility of staff to adapt Berry Street) presented a case study of one of to such a major change in how we do business; our most successful collaborative partnerships their dedication in ensuring our vulnerable which resulted in six children not being families still received a high quality service; removed and placed into the Out of Home whilst managing an ever changing Care, and in fact, collectively supported Mum environment was nothing to do a complete life style change and who is short of heroic. Staff never lost now successfully managing her family unit focus on the vulnerability of with great dignity and pride. e Team did an our families and children and amazing job and so to the point where we were went over and above to ensure then asked to present the case study to the safety was paramount at all Victorian Mental Health Royal Commission. times. is for some, was done is is not an easy task to undertake and under further duress of them without any doubt they did themselves and having to home school their own Ramahyuck proud and showcased all the great children – they have our full work the team do on a daily basis. credit and heartfelt thanks. At the forum we were also able to secure Ramahyuck in conjunction the Cultural Connect Dancers who are a local with GEGAC hosted the group of young Aboriginal boys and girls Aboriginal Children’s forum in who performed in front of the Minister and early March this year. guests. ey made us so proud to be a part of their cultural dancing and were amazing in their presentation. In general we have lost a signifi cant proportion of staff this year due to a lot of diff ering factors however once again the remaining staff stepped up, supported each other and our families and pulled together in a very productive way to ensure the best outcomes for all. Having the practice leader on board has further given an extra depth of wisdom and support to team leaders and the staff and as a consequence our families and children. A great team eff ort by all – thank you sincerely.
8 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation G unai Lidj is year has seen more privately owned centres. e staff some interesting variables with are fully dedicated to the centre as a Gunai Lidj embarking on a media campaign whole and those children who attend. I in an attempt to drive attendance up; change in can honestly say I have not worked with logo to incorporate the ‘Blue Wren’ Ramahyuck such a dedicated team in this space and thank logo and changes in the Centre Coordination. each and every one of them for their ongoing It is pleasing to advise that we currently have commitment and support. is has never an Acting Coordinator in the position who been truer than this year with all that has is doing a sterling job. Gunai Lidj provides a been thrown at them – bushfi res; COVID 19 relaxed environment for our children and is a and ongoing changes in relation to COVID small child care centre in comparison to the 19 restrictions.
Family Services Program Activities:
All programs off er a variety of intensive similar in nature they off er a varying degree of family support services and although very services to our families and children. Trends/Statistics: 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 Integrated Family Services TBC Preservation Restoration House Total/comments
Top 5 1. DHHS Child Protection DHHS Child Protection 1. DHHS Child Protection 1. DHHS Child Protection 3. Top referrer amongst referral 2. Aboriginal Agency (only) 2. Self 2. Aboriginal Agency all programs is Child sources 3. Family Violence Service 3. Aboriginal Agency Protection 4. Self 4. Family Violence Service 5. School 5. Youth Service Top 5 1. History of FV 1. History of Family 1. Underdeveloped 1. Underdeveloped 6. All programs have issues 2. Service Access: Mental Violence Parenting Skills parenting skills similar top issues with Health 2. Household Cleanliness 2. History of FV 2. Household cleanliness the most prevalent 3. Underdeveloped and hygiene 3. History of Child and hygiene being a History of Parenting Skills 3. Underdeveloped Protection involvement 3. Household routines Family Violence, 4. Child’s behaviour parenting skills as an Adult 4. History of FV and Underdeveloped 5. Child needing Mental 4. Service access: Housing 4. Household routines 5. Bonding and attachment parenting skills Assessment Support 5. Household cleanliness being amongst the 5. Current emotional abuse 6. and hygiene top 5 issues of each program. Number of 58 16 22 8 7. 104 families Number of 167 53 39 16 8. 275 children Number of children 38 9 12 4 9. 63 under two
R e sto rati o n H o u s e e program has been running really in August and have a back log of referrals. well with some signifi cant outcomes for our Our service delivery may be restricted due to families up until COVID 19 when due to the COVID however given the importance of the restrictions we had to cease stays within the program and the families waiting and willing house. However we are currently working to attend the program we will strive to re-open towards commencing stays again sometime as soon as safe to do so.
9 Aboriginal Family Led Decision making program
is year has seen a signifi cant meeting target but being over target for the improvement in how we did business in this fi rst time in the history of the program. I must space; how we engaged with Child Protection congratulate the team within this program, and then how we made connections with this is signifi cant and the momentum will families. e outcome of all this program re- continue – I have no doubt. Well done each and development resulted in the program not only every one of you.
Baw Baw Parenting Family’s enthusiasm and engagement able to provide children’s picture books, in our programs Bringing up Great Kids craft supplies, early learning resources and and Tuning into Kids is nothing short interactive guides and activities including of exceptional. ey often ask for more the current request to purchase children opportunities to learn new ways (programs) blocks to enhance our new learn through play to enhance their parenting capacity. is was program developed by Queen Elizabeth Centre made very clear by their request to have the (QEC) colleague. Tuning Into kids program made available e program has had the privilege to bear which I had the opportunity to deliver – this witness to an amazing restoration of faith in has been an amazing addition to our program. Ramahyuck from our Koori Education Support Further to this our families continue to request Offi cer (KESO) and our families whom all have knowledge and resources to enhance their made clear that they were unsure of ongoing parenting capacity. is has kept the program services through Ramahyuck but with all the busy in ensuring the necessary resources are support and resources currently being made available to facilitate family’s engagement available in these tough times they are grateful with their children in art, reading, learning and very appreciative. and playing. Currently our program has been
Yarning about Families NAIDOC is program was travelling really well, free. Prior to COVID 19 a new premises was 2019 with great numbers attending, until COVID secured to hold the program and we must 19 and the resulting restrictions were applied. thank Latrobe City Council for their support New Date for the However, weekly phone calls have been made in providing a secure space which is acceptable Noel Yarram Snr Memo rial g olf d to families and connection is maintained to our families. Where:Date: Friday 13 ay th September 2019, Tee off atMaffra Golf Club and activity packs are delivered – contact 4BBB Ambrose / Teams9:00am of 4 Men, Women & Juniors
All Welcome BBQ lunch provided
Proudly Supported By:
Yoowinna Wurnalung Healing Yoowinna Wurnalung Healing Children and Schooling – home work program: ServiceService
GIFVRAG W ulgunggo Nglau Both programs in Moe and Traralgon 19 put a stop to face to face contact however;
Macalister Hotel R.A.J.A.C were being very well attended prior to activity packs are developed and delivered to
Maffra Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation COVID 19 with students and parents along the children and their families. is also gives
For more info contact Ivy Yarram on 0488 454 374 with the Principals and teachers giving staff an opportunity to informally ‘check in’ on amazing positive feedback in terms of both family and children to ensure no further the children’s progression in literacy and support is required. If it is required then action numeracy. Obviously COVID is taken accordingly.
10 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Aboriginal Best Start – Morwell and Drouin ere has been no activity in this program though on one occasion we did employ area this year as we have been attempting to the incumbent remained with us for a very recruit with no success. We have gone out to short period of time. I have full hope that market at least 4 times; interviewed and even things will change in the next fi nancial year.
Kinship Care Implementation of this program have been made to recruit to this position continued this year with a mammoth eff ort with no success – the position requires from the project worker – Narelle – in ensuring a highly skilled incumbent due to the all relevant documentation was developed complexities of the program and level of and pre-accredited prior to commencing risk it holds. Once we have been successful in and ‘going live’. We have been allocated (in recruitment we are ready to take on targets and commencement) 4 targets for Outer Gippsland commence the program. and 4 targets for Inner Gippsland. Attempts
IAS Early Years program
FAST; Swim to School and Journey to Big School is year saw the program fully be creative in how we support our families transitioned from Uniting Gippsland to within both Inner and Outer Gippsland. is Ramahyuck although we have maintained the has resulted in a Facebook page developed for strong partnership that has been successfully families and their children with posts put up established between the two organisations of activities; story time readings; colouring and works well. Both Uniting and Ramahyuck pages; and activity and resources are dropped employ facilitators and support each other in at families homes to support these activities. the ongoing development and implementation is is in its early stages and families to date of the programs. We were just about to embark are reluctant to engage fully, but I have no on the FAST program within Wellington when doubt this will change over time and as trust is COVID 19 came upon us so we have had to established in this diff erent way of working.
The Orange Door We have one Aboriginal Practitioner ironed out – we sit on both the Leadership in the TOD which I have to say has posed and Operations groups where processes are some issues in terms of expectations and continually discussed and implemented. We understanding of where the Practitioner sits were also fortunate to receive some ‘uplift’ between Child First and Family Violence. e funding for an additional 1 EFT staff person Orange Door only went live in November 2018 which will off er support to the incumbent so there are teething issues that are still being in the position.
Family Violence – general Ramahyuck was very fortunate to be able for children with a soft toy; toiletries and games to secure some funding at the start of this age appropriate- suit cases- mobile phones; year which allowed us to purchase numerous credit – gift cards – just to name a few It was items for Women and Children escaping family great to be able to off er these items across the violence. We secured items such as bedding- sector and value add to what is also available to linen; blankets; doonas; pillows; - back packs Women and Children escaping family violence.
11 Cultural Support Plans We are most defi nitely hitting many However, we must not lose sight of all the goals with the endorsement of Cultural Plans great work we have achieved throughout for Aboriginal children in care within Inner the year both pre and post COVID – the Gippsland. A panel meets monthly, reviews all outstanding outcomes with families; the ACF plans presented and then if deemed acceptable and Royal Commission presentations; the – endorses the plans. is process works resilience that all have shown under the most extremely well and the panel are on average signifi cant challenges and events which are endorsing six to seven plans per month. un-precented; the continued dedication all In conclusion: I do not think I am alone staff have displayed in wanting to ‘do right by in saying this year has been nothing short of our families, community and our vulnerable a roller coaster of challenges; requirement children as well as being creative in how to to be fl exible; emotional stress; testing every deliver programs under COVID restrictions one’s resilience and patience whilst also staff and willingness to continue to front up to work managing their own feelings, struggles and under sincerely trying times. obstacles. I know personally COVID has tested me in many ways and I most defi nitely ank you all from the bottom of my heart and know I am not alone. is pandemic needs it can be only upward and onward from here. to be mentioned and I understand I have Alyson Ferguson done so several times throughout my report. General Manager Family Services.
Community Services
e 2019/20 year has been challenging extreme and challenging due to Sorry for the Community Services stream, with the Business and the fi res. Bushfi res which tore through East Gippsland e latter part of 2019 and and COVID-19. ese States of Emergencies through to January are Acts of Nature and Community Services 2020 has seen 25 have programs that are connected to the passing’s within pulse of the communities, relying on face a short period , to face contact and groups, for the Social so Sorry Business and Emotional Well Being perspective of had kept staff busy our communities. For each program within dealing/supporting Community Services this had a profound with the grief and losses impact on service delivery. of these families and the During the disasters Community Services communities aff ected by has focused on the recovery back to a stable off ering mental health, working environment. Looking at new ways well-being and grief and of working; new ways of engaging with the loss services. e Victoria community and new ways to assist community Government looked at Sorry dealing with Alcohol and Drugs, Mental Business on local levels and Health, NDIS, Family Violence and in general provided some brokerage to Social and Emotional Well Being issues. assist with the funerals. Internally there were changes that Ramahyuck During December 2019 had to make to the whole organisation for and January and February 2020, workers to do their job to their full capacity. we were busy supporting the e last 3 months of 2019 were Wellington/Latrobe and Baw Baw
12 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation communities with the East Gippsland fi res was streamlined to take into account these that were burning out of control, and also emergency situations to ease circumstances dealing with these communities in the “State impacting on our people. (i.e. Children of Emergency”. All community areas were in care) Governments have agreed to no impacted by the smoke with the air quality very unnecessary bureaucracy. extreme during this time, as were our staff as Leading into 2020 COVID -19 has also we tried to assist community. had extreme eff ects on the Community Our SEWB services were at the front line Services program. working long hours and all hours during this e Community Services team during diffi cult time, running food and emergency the bushfi re period and COVID -19 provided relief services. services around food security and clothing Ramahyuck initiated Emergency internal as well as support, referral and advocacy response for areas aff ected by the bushfi res to services like housing. In the areas of within a local context being a member Wellington, Latrobe and Baw Baw. of the Fire Disaster & Recovery Planning We provided services to 175 families over group. General Manager of Community these regions who received: Services became a part of the Victorian State $100 worth of fresh meat from the local Government Bushfi re Recovery Aboriginal butcher including pork spare ribs, sausages, Reference Group. is kept an updated mince, rissoles, bacon etc. clear response to the fi res as well as creating Fresh Fruit and vegetables stronger linkages and coordination with East from a local supplier including Gippsland services CEOs and other service potatoes, carrots, onions providers and stronger external and local pumpkin and fresh fruit links with mainstream services. It gave an Each area utilised their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice in own suppliers which gave rehabilitation – to inform, infl uence, advise the much needed support on the relief, recovery and trauma eff orts. A to local services. Many key focus was trauma, with vicarious trauma compliments were received very prominent with victims, community and from the communities on volunteers and services involved. New South this initiative. Wales and Victorian Government legislation
13 Social and Emotional Well Being Services [SEWB] is program comprises outreach, mental Islander communities and people, increasing health services, alcohol and other drug services access to primary health and early intervention (AOD) and the Bringing em Home / Link and improving access to culturally sensitive Up Program (BTH). Currently, there are fi ve and relevant services. employers working within these programs. SEWB services are restructuring in line ere will be two additional positions with Geographic changes and our Ramahyuck in SEWB which Ramahyuck were successful Strategic Plan. e services are using strategies in applying for: to engage our communities and off er better • Mental Health support for access, best practice and cultural sensitivity to Bushfi res and COVID-19. our SEWB client base. • Alcohol and Drug worker Our Bringing em Home program (community based). provides links to other Stolen Generation SEWB focuses on the social and organisations and helps to raise awareness emotional wellbeing problems and mental through hosting Sorry Day and health among our local Aboriginal and Apology Day events. Torres Strait Islander communities. Our RDAC BTH worker provides; SEWB broadens the focus from mental • Links to grief and loss counselling. health to a wider view of wellbeing and • Referrals to other agencies to help to services which promote positive fi nd your family. wellbeing. It focuses on strength and • Access to records and family tree. assisting / promoting these strengths • Access to services relating to Stolen of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Generation support.
Collaborative Impact Justice Program Under the Victorian Aboriginal Justice initiative in East Gippsland to reduce the agreement , the Koori Justice Unit and number of young people in the justice system Community Safety and local Aboriginal across East Gippsland. is program is community controlled organisations are moving forward and now nearly 12 months seeking support to commence establishing into the program, it has proven progress, a collaborative approach across Gippsland, with support from local and wider services potentially creating conditions for / programs both with Non Government and collective impact. Government entities. e initial purpose of the collaborative
14 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Local Justice Program ere is a full time Local Justice Worker fi nes/warrants. based in Drouin. e Justice Program seeks e local Drouin program provides a to reduce the number of Aboriginal People community work site for clients on corrections coming into contact with Police and the Justice orders to complete their hours and we can also System as a result of criminal activities. e off er our clients access to our other programs target group consists of Aboriginal males/ where appropriate. e.g. Men’s group, parenting females (18+), which are subject to court programs, referrals for D&A counselling, orders or are identifi ed as likely candidates for Men’s behavioral change programs and diversion as an alternative to imprisonment. Psych reports/referrals through our Doctor e program also works closely with the local services. If clients need assistance with the Sheriff ’s offi ce to resolve outstanding warrants court hearings, we can source solicitors on the by means of payment plans, conversion client’s behalf and assist with the court process to community work hours or applying for where possible. a court hearing to resolve or contest the
Family Violence program A new program initiated by the Victorian Family Violence Alliance and Sub Regional Government response to reduce and educate Network utilising current existing services / on the rising issue of family violence. projects and strengthening how they operate. Ramahyuck has only just started to provide e program has implemented internally this program and will focus on networks, policies around Family Violence and has partnerships, linkages and coordination and produced literature for participants and service delivery including access to Gippsland victims of Family Violence.
National Disability Insurance Scheme / Program / Service
NDIS is and will become an important • Increase NDIS access for Aboriginal people. part of every person who has a disability. • Increase individual’s access to an NDIS plan. Ramahyuck has been scoping this service • Support individuals to reengage with the to becoming an NDIS provider, it is NDIS after they have ceased a previous NDIS in its early stages of development and activity. Additionally, assisting people to Ramahyuck is building our capacity to be a reengage who received 1:1 support: Registered Provider. • About how they could have benefi ted from RADC will provide Cultural Awareness NDIS but did not proceed or declined and, training to both services and individuals and • went through the access process but did communities specifi cally related to NDIS. not meet eligibility. Key outcomes will be around • Identifying and resolving issues or barriers Community Engagement: faced by people looking to access NDIS. • Providing appropriate information or advice about NDIS which will create a better Mark Munnich understanding of how the NDIS operates. General Manager Community Services. • Providing individuals and families with intensive 1:1 support with accessing the NDIS and pre-planning.
15 Primary Health Care Services
is last year has been one that has completely diff erent service model and was thrown specifi c challenges to the Primary often looked at by other services as leaders in Health Care Services Division. Our regional our COVID response. e fact that to date we health services were impacted by a cyber- have had no positive cases in our Organisation attack in October/November which posed or communities is a massive achievement unique challenges on how vital referrals and and one that should be celebrated by all. Our information was received by the services service areas quickly adapted to continue to for the ongoing health management for provide valuable services to the community our communities. by using diff erent platforms like skype, e deadly bushfi res over the Christmas, TEAMS and Face time. New Year period found us all being challenged e Dental services continued to operate by the poor air quality and families being under strict Australian Dental Association displaced from their own communities and guidelines providing emergency dental services requiring support. to those in need. en along came Covid-19. Whilst it has I personally acknowledge the massive severely impacted on the way we live and move achievements of all the staff and community around this great country, it has proved that over the last 12 months. Let’s not stop there, Ramahyuck and the community can adapt let’s draw strength from this to achieve so to change swiftly and shows how resilient we much more. Prevention is always better than all are. It is a testament to how we can come cure so let us all continue to work together to together to achieve so much. improve the health and wellbeing of ourselves Our Medical Services had to adapt to a and our communities.
Primary Health Care Services Activities
Sale Medical is year we have been trying to MBS for telehealth the Sale medical clinic implement what we have learnt from has fully embraced the availability of those VACCHO, the previous fi nancial year, and have additional Medicare item numbers and use seen some improvement with claiming these them to provide primary health care service Medicare items but know we still have a ways throughout the Pandemic. to go. e improvements have been impacted by regular staff changes, which slows progress with new staff required to learn how to support the client journey and claim Medicare items appropriately. e 2019/2020 fi nancial year patient service count and Medicare revenue has seen an increase even through the COVID 19 Pandemic when we saw a decrease in patient bookings from March through to June 2020. With the additional item numbers added from
16 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Targeted Items for Improvement in 2O19/2O2O 250
200
150
100
50
2O18/2O19 2O19/2O2O 715 ATSI HA 10987 ATSI HA RV 721 GPMP 10997 GPMP RV 2715 MHCP
This financial year the service count and revenue
was higher than last year
S ervice Co u nt Revenue
2018/2019 17,849 2019/2020 18,922 2018/2019 $709,268 2019/2020 $843,655
17 Telehealth Items Claims $155,000
$150,000
$145,000
$140,000
$135,000
$130,000
$125,000
$120,000
$115,000
91809 91810 92128 91811 92068 92126 92072 92127
Morwell Medical – Ninde Dana Quarenook Even though impacted by COVID 19 for appointments, but patients are triaged Pandemic restrictions, Morwell Medical according to urgency and of course longer had another successful year providing consultations are available if required, for comprehensive primary health care to the patients with complex medical issues. We Latrobe Aboriginal Community. e number also have walk-in appointment availability of patients attending the clinic were down on where patients are triaged and given the next last year, but this was due to the restrictions. appropriate appointment with a GP. e Clinic has a patient booking system
Clinic activity at a glance: • Over 4,000 contacts with • Over 3000 patient transports Patients and community is financial year the service count was • Completing screening with clients to lower due to the current pandemic which maximise time and build rapport has had an impact on the amount of face • Completed 120 Aboriginal & Torres Strait to face contact visits which then impacts Islander Health Check, as well as 1,005 the revenue - Such as 715, 721 & 723. With follow up appointments after the completion COVID, the Australian Government approved of a health check Telehealth consultations and the below • Over 2,000 contacts completed by table highlights our Telehealth income for Aboriginal Health Practitioner various item numbers. • 3 RN Practice Nurses employed and 1 Enrolled Nurse • Over 500 home visits completed by Aboriginal Health Worker/Outreach worker alongside a Practice Nurse
18 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Telehealth Items Claims $14,000
$12,000
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
91809 91810 92068 92069 92127 92228 $11,918 $1,183 $439.65 $232.30 $801.35 $1,035
Tota l Pati e nt Active Total Patients
Visits 2O18-2O19
2018/2019 3787 2019/2020 2434 Non Indigenous 25% ATSI Patients 75%
19 Morwell Clinic Patient Transport Data
2019-2020 RDAC - 12 Total Month Total Month Total Month Destinations Pick Up Drop Off N/E Moe 186 210 35 Morwell 286 238 62 Traralgon 181 181 24 Churchill 71 57 18 Co-Op 461 499 3 Chemist 155 162 0 Xray/Path 24 27 0 LRH/Cons 68 53 0 Spec/Physio 21 23 0 LCHS 14 18 0 Eye/Hear/Foot 6 7 0 Xray 3 6 0 Warragul/Drouin 11 9 0 Melbourne 39 34 1 Sale/Bairnsdale 11 12 0 TOTAL TRIPS 1 1536 139
RDAC - 09 Total Month Total Month Total Month Destinations Pick Up Drop Off N/E Moe 170 168 18 Morwell 250 239 43 Traralgon 168 158 18 Churchill 49 49 13 WGL/Drouin 5 5 0 Melbourne 20 20 0 LRH/Spec 40 39 2 LCHS 5 5 1 Co - Op 400 380 0 Xray 15 15 0 TOTAL TRIPS 1122 1078 92
20 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Dental Cli n ic Over the past 12 months, the Ramahyuck e dental clinic also launched a loyalty Gippsland Dental Clinic team has been very discount program in Feb 2020 for members of focused on boosting Aboriginal and Torres the wider community seeking private dental Strait Islander patient base numbers. Various care. Approved members are entitled to incentive programs were rolled out to the wider receive 15% loyalty discount for each and every community and we are very pleased to report appointment. is program has increased the that the dental clinic’s Aboriginal patient base attendance of people visiting for preventative is now sitting around 11% and steadily growing. care such as check-ups, scale and cleans and In partnership with Gippsland Family fl uoride treatment which is the number 1 way Practice, we were very excited to have run to boost self-determining factors in order to two funded programs for the fi rst time ever in improve oral health outcomes long term. A which vouchers to the amount of $500 each total of 34 families have been signed up and we were issued to people who had completed an hope the program sparks further interest when Aboriginal Health Check. word gets around. is fi nancial assistance has certainly put We are also very pleased to continue BIG smiles on people’s faces having motivated honouring our other long term payment many to visit us to have both their preventative program for endorsed Ramahyuck Members and urgent dental needs attended to. We would where dental visits are capped at $60. ere like to thank the team at Medical for their were 8 new members endorsed by the Board ongoing support and collaboration with us to this year as a part of this fantastic program increase the success and use of these vouchers that aims to break through fi nancial barriers so so that people can benefi t from having access that people can receive aff ordable dental care, to this kind of private dental care. as quickly as possible. Clinical Statistics based on 1239 Active Patients during the period July 2019 - June 2020 Preventative Care includes check-ups, cleans and 441 fi ssure sealants New patients 404 Emergencies 418 CDBS Patients (Kids) 66 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients 140 General patients Medicare CDBS patients TOTAL Check 435 72 507 Cleans 367 40 407 X-rays 592 Emergencies 418 36 454 Restorations 602 60 662 Extractions 235 Root Canals 17 Crowns 29 Dentures 9 Fissure Sealants 67 86 153 Orthodontics 3
21 Audiology e past year has seen another big eff ort ENT Specialist visited on several occasions. from our Healthy Ear Offi cer. In July 2019 we Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, saw 15 kids at the Morwell Family Fun day we put this service on hold from March where 4 clients had appointments booked through to June 2020. for full hearing test at the Morwell Clinic. During the year, our visiting Audiologist At the Sale Family Fun Day, also in July, 18 and Ear, Nose and roat specialists saw children participated on assessments and a total of 64 clients through our Sale and made appointments for 10 clients to have Morwell clinics. hearing test at the Sale clinic. In addition, the
Koori Maternity Service
Overview e last year has been challenging, are plenty more on their way in 2020/2021. particularly the last 6 months. We have seen Over 70 families have accessed care of a Pandemic sweep the world and impose one type at KMS; pre pregnancy, pregnancy, changes on our day to day lives. We have maternal and child health and general all felt lost and bewildered at times. Will women’s health. life ever be the same? Of the women who booked with KMS At KMS we have had some for their pregnancies, 65% had booked by 13 changes too. After 16 years of service weeks. Another 17.5% had booked by 20 weeks. to the community Melita, our In total 82.5% of our mums were booked by 20 Aboriginal Health Worker, has left weeks, beating the state average of 80%. Of the to pursue her dream of becoming 7.5% left, 50% came to us later because they had a nurse. We wish her luck in the moved to the area, but they had been receiving future and thank her for her care elsewhere. is is very encouraging. contribution to KMS. Of our mums, 40% were to be fi rst Our new Aboriginal Health time mothers, while 60% were returning to Worker, La Toya, has joined KMS. anks Ladies! us. We wish her well and I’m Of the 75% of our mums who reported sure she will receive lots of support they were smoking during their pregnancies, in her new role. by 28 weeks 60% of these women had reduced Despite all the worries in the world the their smoking to less than 5 daily and 4 had community continued to grow. We have Quit!! It’s an area that still needs improvement welcomed 30 Boorai in the last year and there but we’re working on it.
22 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Oth er K M S stati sti cs • 79% of our mums were aged 21 – 34, Birth weights ranged trending along with the state average. from 1515g (3.3lbs) to • 17% of our mums were aged under 20 but we 4180g (9lbs 2). Our average had no mums under 15. Slightly higher than weight was 3kg (6.5lbs) the state average but encouragingly none right in the middle of the booked late for pregnancy care. normal weight range. • 4% of our mums were over 35. is So our mums are bucks the trend for older mums in the getting care earlier and their babies are general population. getting bigger and being born later in the • 75% of our births were normal births. 25% pregnancies. All these indicators are positives were by caesarean. e state average for for raising a healthy community. caesareans is 50%. Of the mums undergoing • 91% of our mums initiated breastfeeding. a caesarean 84% were emergencies. is gives the boorai a wonderful start in In terms of timing of birth 74% of babies life and it’s free. By 6 weeks of age 50% of were born at term (>37 weeks). Of the babies our mums were still breastfeeding. Way born preterm 75% were born after 34 weeks. to go ladies! anks to everyone who Our youngest baby was 32 weeks. ankfully supports our breastfeeding mums. Raising we had no babies born in the extreme that 6 week statistic is something we will pre term range. continue to work on.
Fut u r e La Toya joined us in July and she has already been hard at work getting to know her role and brightening up the KMS environment. La Toya and Sharona have set up a delightful activity/play area for the kids. Doesn’t it look cosy and inviting? We are all currently working on making the donated items we have more accessible. We have lots of baby goods, maternity clothes and toiletries. We have purchased new shelving and are working hard organising an area to showcase them. We’ll put pictures up on the Facebook page when it’s ready. We’ve also been lucky enough to get funding for a play area in our garden. It’ll be a great asset in the summer, when hopefully we can return to a more normal life. I guess we will have to be patient. Finally, a big ank You to all the families who have used our service. It’s been a pleasure walking with you on your journey. If you liked our service, please tell others. If you didn’t give us a call and we’ll try to do better.
Best wishes to all. Be kind to each other. Stay Safe and Stay STRONG. Caroline Gray Senior KMS Practitioner.
23 Home and Community Care and Commonwealth Home Support Under diffi cult circumstance due to crafts making sessions, pamper sessions at COVID, the Team did a wonderful job of Hair and Nails in Fulham, drives to the beach, ensuring that our Elders and those requiring and for the female Elders, attending the breast assistance received the care they deserved. screening day at Ramahyuck head offi ce when As a result of changes to how aged the Victorian breast screening bus visited. All care programs are operating, much clients received a shawl designed by Brenda of the team’s work is now assisting Farnham. A great day was had by all. Other clients to navigate the complexities activities included a Christmas Lunch at the of government processes and Star Hotel and a Sisters day out where clients requirements. e team also had a great day getting hair and nails done, as spent a lot of time encouraging well as massages and a really superb lunch. clients to attend their specialist We also took our clients to many events appointments and then helping including a fantastic night at a Lee Kernigan them understand why they need to concert in Bairnsdale, a John Williamson continue their follow-up appointments. is concert and a Regional Elders Luncheon at includes supporting clients with their respite Nicholson. Our group attended the NAIDOC care through Latrobe Community Health. fl ag raising at the Ramahyuck head offi ce as To this end, it is critical that the team has well as an Elders luncheon where we had 40 good relationships with other entities such as in attendance and each attendee received a Opal Sale and Ashleigh House Nursing Homes. large fruit hamper thanks to some Victorian e Team attend regular meetings with many Government funding. Our Elders really other Government and non-Government enjoy these events, not only for the entities in and around the Wellington Shire. entertainment but also catching But there is the fun side of the role as well. up with everyone. e Social Support group are really enjoyable and this year we have had many fun lunches Julie Hawke and held activities and outings such as ten pin General Manager Primary bowling, swimming at the Sale pool, arts and Health Care Services
Economic Development
Well what an interesting and challenging progress during the 2019/20 year including the year 2020 is turning out to be. With COVID-19 proposed Solar Farm based at Ramahyuck’s forcing workplaces and staff to look at ways 16ha property in Longford. We have been in which they can still work eff ectively albeit working closely with the Indigenous Land at times in lockdown and isolated from their & Sea Corporation (ILSC) and Indigenous colleagues. I’m pleased that the Economic Business Australia (IBA) to progress this Development team and Ramahyuck as a innovative project. Ramahyuck has teamed whole has met these challenges head on and up with renewable energy consultancy fi rms, overcome them by adapting to new ways of Point Advisory and Energy Forms who have working. Many of these changes include the developed a detailed project plan which introduction of new technology which we will we have been working through. Pleasingly, continue to utilise post-COVID-19. much of the work has included high level due Excitedly a number of economic diligence on the project’s viability and so far development projects have continued to there are no red fl ags to suggest the project
24 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation cannot be completed. We look forward to secure funding for a number of fantastic continuing this work which will include projects including: attracting customers to buy our power and • A new playground for our Koori working with AusNet services and other Maternity Service authorities to enable the project. • New software to assist our NDIS program Our solar project obtained international • Employment costs for staff who provide representation during the year with a support services to our Elders Japanese delegation visiting Ramahyuck and • COVID response activities our farm. e delegation members are all Ramahyuck continues to enhance professors from Japanese universities who are its online presence through Facebook investigating how indigenous peoples improve and Instagram which has enabled us their social infrastructure through renewable to communicate with community and energy projects. share important updates especially During the year we have managed to relating to COVID-19.
25 Q uality With the introduction of new services for information and guidance to staff linking our community comes the need for additional evidence based best practice to the new Policy auditing and compliance work. Our Quality Manual. Coupled with this, our online Quality team continue to successfully manage these Management System – LOGIQC was also functions whilst supporting staff to carry out upgraded to Version 6. With this upgrade their duties with community’s needs core to came a number of improvements including everything they do. During the year a number ease of use for staff and greater control in the of successful audits were carried out including: management of compliance activities. • Successful ISO Re-Certifi cation audit and e development of Program Brochures DHHS HSS mid-point accreditation audit now provides a great snapshot of each of our • Successful NDIS stage one programs in a handy trifold leafl et that gives accreditation audit clients and other agencies all the information To ensure our work is always ‘best they need to access or make referrals to practice’, Ramahyuck continues to utilise Ramahyuck programs. external accreditation processes including: e development and implementation • NDIS NQPS = National Disability Insurance of the ‘Client Handbook’ has also been Scheme National Quality Practice Standard completed. e Handbook combines previously • ACQS = Aged Care Quality Standard. separate Ramahyuck documents for clients (HACC and CHSP Programs) relating to, Privacy Collection Notice, Rights • HSS = Human Service Standard (Services and Responsibilities, Feedback processes funded by DHHS) including how to make a complaint, External • RACGP = Royal Australian College of Advocacy and Complaint bodies. We welcome General Practitioners Standards for general client and community feedback, not only on practices (5th edition) (the Standards) this publication but all our processes. is is • ISO 9001:2015 (Whole Corporation) one way we can continue to improve how we To ensure staff can easily and eff ectively work with our communities. access and update Ramahyuck policies and Our Quality team looks forward to procedures, a new Policy Manual has been continuing to support staff with Quality developed. Many old and duplicate documents Improvement activities across the Corporation were removed during this important piece over the coming year, which includes preparing of work and we now have a one-stop access for our external Accreditation Audit and the point for all our policies and procedures. In on-going management of the Corporation’s addition to this, individual program manuals internal Quality Management System (QMS). are also being developed which provide
Information Technology e IT team has been busy implementing and access they needed via secure Virtual a number of technology enhancements Private Networks (VPNs). over the year, with many tasks associated to Ramahyuck was also awarded free staff working from home during COVID-19 unlimited Microsoft Teams licences due to restrictions. Ramahyuck continues to being a not-for-profi t. is platform has been successfully use the issue ticketing system, invaluable in allowing staff to hold virtual face Spiceworks. e system allows staff to easily to face meetings internally and externally. submit IT support requests which are then We will continue to use Teams going forward effi ciently prioritised by the IT team who which will allow our staff to stay connected at resolve most matters same day. all times. Teams will also greatly reduce our e team did a tremendous job operational costs with staff not having to travel transitioning staff to work from home during a to other offi ce locations for in person meetings. stressful period as a result of COVID-19. Many Using Teams has allowed us to disconnect the staff were quickly setup with all the systems very expensive teleconference number.
26 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Development of the required as well as signifi cantly reducing our Ramahyuck intranet is also telecommunication costs. Since COVID-19 we progressing with Latrobe also setup a 1800 number for community to IT working closely with staff call which has been manned by our dedicated and community to develop a staff from a number of program areas. culturally appropriate and user- Lastly, a new and exciting program called friendly platform for staff to use Automate is being introduced which has the on a daily basis. ability to complete fi xes on an individual Our new phone systems are PC automatically without interaction from now fully managed by Latrobe IT Tech Support or users. is enables software with all landline numbers porting over updates, completion of both software and from Telstra. e phone system now hardware audits with less interruptions. It also allows us more fl exibility in transferring allows our IT technicians to monitor issues and calls and making updates and changes as remote access where required.
Human Resources Our Human Resources (HR) team have and wish our new staff a long and successful been kept busy during the year with a number career with Ramahyuck. of key projects being completed. Following ere have been some exciting the Ramahyuck Strategic Planning workshop, changes in our Dental team with a the team embarked on redeveloping the number of new staff coming on-board and organisation’s annual performance review we now have a highly-qualifi ed, friendly process, including training of staff at all levels. and supportive team who enjoy providing Whilst this was interrupted by COVID-19 and superior dental care to our community. subsequent working from home arrangements, Our Aboriginal HR Support Offi cer, training was redesigned to be delivered on-line Alysha Tilley, completed her Certifi cate IV with great success. in Human Resources Management, which During the year a new Drug & Alcohol is a fantastic eff ort. Currently Alysha is Policy was introduced and subsequently, completing her Cert IV in Workplace Training workplace testing was carried out at a number & Assessment and continues to successfully of sites. is new process was adopted to undertake a range of generalist HR tasks. ensure the safety and well-being of our During the year we saw the departure of staff and clients. our Learning & Development Offi cer which Recruitment to a number of new has allowed the organisation to review programs was carried out including: - NDIS, how it provides professional development Kinship Care, the Children’s Link Program and opportunities to staff . is includes Cultural Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD). We welcome Awareness training internally and externally these new programs to support our community as well as traineeships.
Facilities & I nfrastructure A number of key projects continue to and Dental teams as well as other support progress in our Facilities and Infrastructure services. e plans are due to go to program. ere has been a lot of work Council shortly as part of a planning permit undertaken in the development of plans for application. It’s expected this project will be the 105 Foster St, Sale redevelopment. is is completed by the end of 2021 at the latest. the old ‘Ringers’ nightclub building which was Our Koori Maternity Service will soon purchased by local family-owned business, have a new playground with construction RAL Constructions. RAL will completely company, Imagination Play, carrying out renovate the site and turn it into Ramahyuck’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 new Super Clinic which will house our Medical
27 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
the works. Imagination Play also designed, group has supplied many handmade items produced and installed the new play equipment and several artists have submitted paintings at Gunai Lidj in recent years. for sale. e Board agreed that the maximum Unfortunately a number of our commission for selling locally made arts and funding applications for the proposed new crafts would be 10% to ensure that contributors Cultural Centre at 117 Foster St, Sale have received the maximum benefi t from their arts been unsuccessful. We continue to lobby and crafts. We are selling some commercially government at all levels in the hope to obtain made items to help off set the staffi ng and other funding to undertake this fantastic project, costs of operating the shop. which we know will have enormous benefi ts for We were fortunate to receive funding of our community and region. $20,000 to pay for all of the shop fi ttings as well Our mowing team continue to provide as the cash register and specialist wall hanging excellent service to our community across the racks for paintings. e opening was well region and clients now include HACC, NDIS, advertised and attended by many people. Housing and private. Sales were progressively increasing and In October 2019, the Ramahyuck Arts and many paintings and other works have been Craft Shop opened in the old community room sold. However, since the pandemic struck, the at the 117 Foster Street head offi ce. e Board shop has been closed. It is expected to reopen approved the establishment of the shop as there in time for Christmas sales. had been many inquiries from community members for an outlet where locally produced Andrew Dimarco arts and crafts could be sold. e local women’s General Manager Economic Development.
Other Activities
Merinda Harrison-Drake – Order of Australia Medal recipient An announcement in the 2020 a decade of service supporting and promoting Queen’s Birthday Honours List made all Aboriginal health. Ramahyuck Directors and staff proud. Good on you, Merinda. Merinda Harrison-Drake, our Morwell Clinic Coordinator, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of her passionate service to Indigenous health in Gippsland. Merinda said she felt honoured to receive the medal as it recognised her more than
Photograph by Hayley Mills.
28 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation Ramahyuck Fishing Contest Another great fi shing contest was held in for their most generous eff orts November 2019. is time everyone met up at and support over the past Sandy Point on Lake Glenmaggie. e tide was several years. Fishery Offi cers out a little due to the drought but at least it was have attended each event and a fi ne day and most importantly, the fi sh were provided some funding and the bait. biting. And best of all the fi rst fi sh was caught ank you again from Ramahyuck by the CEO, a 42cm carp, his fi rst of two. Not and the Community. the loveliest of fi sh, but a fi sh none the less. After an anxious wait Alec ey soon started to roll in with many more Derringer was awarded fi rst carp caught and some decent sized redfi n. prize for a 33cm Redfi n. Craig After a couple of hours of fi shing Hocking received second prize relaxation, a fantastic healthy choice roast for a 28cm redfi n and his daughter pork lunch was served. We had to fi ght fl ies for Brodie Hocking received third prize every mouthful, but there were no complaints. for a 26cm redfi n. Joanne and Brenda, another competition very To cap it all off , the CEO received a prize well organised. for the second largest carp caught. When it came time to present the prizes, A good day was had by all and we everyone had to wait until the CEO presented look forward to having many more fi shing Fisheries Victoria with a thank you plague competitions in the years to come.
Footy Colours Day On the last work day before the 2019 the Grand Final. It was a bring-your-own AFL Grand Final, a Footy Colours Day was contribution to lunch and there was so much held at the 117 Foster Street building for staff . food we were eating it well into the afternoon. Many participated and wore their colours A great day was had by all. even though their team was not playing in
29 Community Christmas Party On 5th December 2019 the community came together for the annual Community Christmas Party and what a great time we had. e Stead Street hall was overfl owing with kids and the not so young kids and of course we had a fantastic BBQ cooked by Paul and Anthony. After a big dinner, Santa visited and gave each child a gift. ere were raffl es with meat and veggie hamper prizes and everyone enjoyed the many play events organised by the steering committee. Well done guys.
Finance Summary Report
e fi nancial year just fi nished was one of total expenditure was $10,652,473. As ups and downs fi nancially. We saw increased always, employment costs made up the fi nancial funding from both the State and largest expenditure category at 7,642,736. Australian Governments, although our other is is $662,455 more than last year, but the income fell signifi cantly in the fi nal few months increased employment costs are covered by the of the fi nancial year due to the COVID-19 increased grant funding. Pandemic and the resulting implementation Our cash at bank continues to increase, of restrictions. Our most heavily impacted but unfortunately with interest rates falling our programs were dental and childcare where investment income is also falling. As at 30 June income reduced almost to zero. Due to sound 2020, the Corporation had debtors totalling fi nancial management, the Corporation $447,350 and owed creditors $579,012. fi nished the year with a $2,410,421 surplus. It All employee accruals have been recorded must be noted that much of the surplus is from and the Corporation is able to meet all unexpended grants w