Wathaurong Aboriginal Co Op in North Geelong, Victoria | Social service

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co Op

Locality: North Geelong, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5277 0044

Address: lot 62 Morgan st 3214 North Geelong, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.wathaurong.org.au

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• Medical and health
• Community centre
• Medical service
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25.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Today we profile Stacie who has grown up in the Wathaurong community and now works with the Balert Care Connections team. NAME: Stacie Murphy... ROLE: Balert Care Connections Support Coordinator (My Aged Care, Disability and PYP) BACKGROUND: I am a proud Aboriginal Women who was born and bred on Wathaurong country and been a part of Wathaurong my whole life. My family is Yorta Yorta my pop being born on the Monocular Mission and my dad being born in Deni. I also have ties to Goolum Goolum as my mum is from there. I have 3 very Proud Aboriginal Children who share the same passion as I do about our culture. I have my Diploma in Community services and love working in the community. WHAT DO I LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: I love working at Watharoung as I have grown up there and have always wanted to give back to my community and now I have the chance to help look after my elders and elderly community just like a lot of community had done for me when I was growing up. I find it very fulfilling giving back to community and helping my community and it also gives me pride knowing I am doing something meaningful. Its always been a dream to give back and now I can. Love meeting new people and working with people I have known my whole life.

24.01.2022 Dont forget that this THURSDAY at 5:30pm, we are hosting an information session for anyone who has ever thought about becoming a Foster Carer. Foster Carers can assist with overnight stays, respite care and short term care as well as longer term care. The Wathaurong team works closely with our Foster Carers to ensure that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children in care stay connected to culture. ... If you have ever considered that you may be able to help, please come along and learn some more information and see if becoming a Foster Carer might be right for you! Barwon Child Youth and Family Foster Care Association of Victoria

23.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Nadia has recently joined Wathaurong in the role of Strategic Policy Officer. Welcome Nadia! NAME: Nadia Albert... ROLE: Strategic Policy Officer (with Angela Walsh) BACKGROUND: I have worked as a consultant and project manager supporting and strengthening the capacity, of individuals, communities and organisations to address complex social challenges, such as gender equality and anti-racism. I have learnt a great deal working alongside education, children and families, health and mental health, youth, womens, and justice sectors both in Victoria and the Northern Territory. My practice is strengths and values-driven; grounded in self and systems reflection; facilitating robust and courageous conversations; and co-design by engaging multiple perspectives. I love working part-time to spend the other with my four and seven-year-old kids and my partner, enjoying the coast, lakes and parklands of the inner-west of Naarm (Melbourne) where we live. WHAT DO I LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: It has been joyful to be welcomed into the Wathaurong team and to continue working alongside the wonderful Angela, as we have done for over a decade. I am loving the learning, the variety (from policy development, to grant submission, advocacy papers or organisationl strategy), to and contributing each day alongside a passionate group of people working in the service of our Aboriginal community. I look forward to meeting the rest of the team in online at last in real shared spaces!

23.01.2022 The Wathaurong Cough/Cold/Fever Clinic is starting back up again at Forster Street as of tomorrow. These clinics will run on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:30am - 12pm, and COVID-19 testing will be offered. Appointments are required, so call 5277 2038 to book in and see the team.

21.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Say hello to Skye, who is a Clinical Team Leader and Registered Nurse at Wathaurong Health Services. NAME: Skye Duncan... ROLE: Registered Nurse/Clinical Team Leader BACKGROUND: Ive been working at Wathaurong for over 8 years now. I grew up in Portarlington and did my Nursing Degree in Ballarat, then spent many years travelling around Australia working, mainly in remote areas such as Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, Mornington Island off Queensland in the Gulf of Carpentaria and outback NSW. I came back to The Bellarine Peninsula with my husband and children to be closer to my family. When Im not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my dog and making earrings. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: Helping out community members with their chronic disease and the diversity of the clinical work. I love how we all come together and work as a team to help community out.

21.01.2022 CALLING ALL YOUNG MOB The Victorian Government is holding consultations with young people between the ages of 12-25 to help develop an ongoing strategy to create meaningful change on the issues that are important to you. This FRIDAY at 4:30pm, we are hosting a direct conversation with Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens MP and our Wathaurong youth and culture staff. ... This event is going to be held over Zoom - contact Megan on 0418 971 270 to register your interest and receive instructions on how to access this yarn on Friday.

20.01.2022 The Wathaurong Cough/Cold/Fever clinics are returning to Forster Street on Tuesday and Friday mornings as of next week, beginning Tuesday 15th September and operating from 9:30am - 12pm. This clinic is for any mob who are experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat. COVID-19 testing will be offered. This clinic will be BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Anyone wishing to make an appointment can call Wathaurong Health Services on 5277 2038. ... #KeepOurMobSafe

20.01.2022 As well as being R U OK Day, today is World Suicide Prevention Day. This is a global day organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention . Wathaurong took part in the Wellways "Sock It To Suicide", with staff and community sharing photos of their best and brightest socks. The "Sock It To Suicide" campaign aims to raise awareness, start conversations and talk about how we as a community can be involved in suicide prevention. ... There are many resources that can help with suicide prevention. Reach out if you or someone you know needs help. Wathaurong: 5277 0044 Yarning SafenStrong: 1800 959 563 (24/7 service) Dardi Munwarros Brother to Brother: 1800 435 799 (men only 24/7 service) Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (for kids aged 5-25) eHeadspace: 1800 650 890 (for kids aged 12-25) Mental Health Triage: 1300 094 187 (24 hours) #WSPD2020 #SockItToSuicide2020 #KeepOurMobSafe

18.01.2022 A big congratulations to our Koorie Maternity Services health worker Kiralee Hogema! Kiralee has completed her studies and is now a qualified Aboriginal Health Practitioner. Well done Kiralee!

17.01.2022 5.30pm its a PARTYYYY! Keys to the door are here. DM us for the password NOW, in time to set your laptop up, sign in to zoom (you can join the room now if ya like!) and get your song requests ready! See ya at 5.30pm ONLY on zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83801199813

17.01.2022 One for the kids - a good activity to do in the holidays! Koorie Basketball Academy are running a "Deadly Jersey Design Competition". Open to all Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids aged from 5-17 years old.... There are three age categories for entries and heaps of prizes to be won. Design your own basketball jersey! Free to enter! Have some fun and get creative. Enter here https://bit.ly/3h2Q8Ry

17.01.2022 ITS BACK! The online Wathaurong Kids Disco Dance Party was so much fun that were bringing it back this Friday to celebrate the end of Term 3! DJ T-roy will be bringing you the tunes from 5:30pm til 7pm via Zoom. ... This family friendly disco will not be streamed on Facebook, so make sure you join us on Zoom to show us your deadly dance moves! WHEN: Friday 18th September, 5:30pm - 7pm WHERE: Zoom (see meeting details below) MEETING ID: 838 0119 9813 PASSWORD: discofun

16.01.2022 To all you mob in the northern suburbs - if you have any symptoms, make sure you get tested. We’ve done a deadly job of keeping our mob safe so far, let’s make sure we keep it up. Don’t forget we have the Cough/Cold Clinic running on Tuesday and Friday mornings at Forster Street where you can get a COVID-19 test. Appointments for the Forster Street clinic are a must, walk ins are not accepted. So call the health service tomorrow to book your appointment with us if you have s...ymptoms, or you can go to the drive through clinic on Thompson’s Road to get tested sooner. #KeepOurMobSafe

14.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Say hello to Kiralee, who has worked at Wathaurong for the past three years in the health and maternity services. NAME: Kiralee Hogema... ROLE: Aboriginal health practitioner/ Koori Maternity Service Aboriginal support BACKGROUND: I am a Wemba Wemba women but was born and grew up here on Wathaurong Country and have always been a part of the Community. I have been at Wathaurong for 3 years and in 2020 I completed my studies and became an Aboriginal health practitioner. Im hoping to extend my studies further in the future as my dreams since in my teens was to become a midwife. WHAT DO I LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: I love working within the Health Service as my mum Sandra Black was the first Aboriginal health worker at Wathaurong. It was her dream that Wathaurong would one day have a fully functioning Aboriginal Health Service. The previous Forster Street health service premises was dedicated to her memory. Working within KMS has defiantly been rewarding watching a tiny human enter the big wide world seeing a women become a mother a man become a father its that joy in their eyes that makes me truly do love what I do. Its also my way of giving back to a community that once gave so much to me.

14.01.2022 Dont forget that our Foster Care information session is on TONIGHT at 5:30pm - log on and join us to learn more!

14.01.2022 Have you heard about electronic prescribing? Wathaurong Health Services GPs are able to offer this service to reduce the risk of face to face contact for vulnerable patients. Ask your GP about e-prescribing at your next Telehealth appointment. Your GP can advise which pharmacies can fill this type of prescriptions.

13.01.2022 NAME: Michelle Gray ROLE: Social Emotional Wellbeing Worker BACKGROUND: I am a proud Widjabul woman from the Bundjalung Nation which is along the coastline of NSW. I am currently studying Certificate 4 in Community Services and also Certificate 4 in Mental Health. For the past nine years I have been offering peer support on a complete voluntary basis to survivors of Child abuse and Child Sexual Abuse using social media platforms, which helps me to engage with people from all ...over the world. Although listening to the stories are sad I find it very very rewarding. I am a mum to a 19 year old daughter who is my whole world and we have quite the laughs thats for sure. Always very entertaining when we are together. I am very family oriented and love spending time with my family. I love my pets, I have guppies (fish) a big staffy Buster and a very vocal cockatiel Hitch, which Im sure the mental health team have heard plenty of times in our meetings. I love my arts and crafts. And doing portraits for people, it makes me so happy to see the look on peoples faces when I present the finished piece to them. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: I love working with our community and being able to yarn with them. I feel honoured and privileged to be working with such a great group of people in the mental health team, and be a part of the Wathaurong team in general. I love that everyone is so welcoming and are always happy to help where they can. A great mob to be working with and our community is just as deadly. It was hard starting in June when the restrictions were in place, I started on the Thursday and by the Friday I was working from home. Sometimes challenging to do that, but mainly a positive.

12.01.2022 Are you ready to hit the dance floor? Our online Wathaurong Kids Disco Dance Party starts at 5:30pm! Join us on Zoom - send us a message on Facebook to get the link to join.

12.01.2022 Did you know that this week is Foster Care Association of Victorias annual Foster Care Week? In celebration of the wonderful foster carers all across Victoria opening their homes to children in need, wed like to introduce you to one of our very own. Gen is a proud participant in the Wathaurong Foster Care program, opening her home to six Indigenous children, all of whom she now has in permanent care! Hear more about Gens story, and why you should give foster caring a go!

10.01.2022 Who is joining us for the End of Term Kids Disco Dance Party tonight at 5:30pm on Zoom?? DJ T-ROY wants to know what your kids favourite song is! Comment below with your pre-requests and favourite songs to dance to!

10.01.2022 WATHAURONG VIRTUAL QUEST SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ACTIVITY Following on from the July School Holiday Scavenger Hunt, this school holidays we invite our young mob to go on a virtual quest! ... Bunjil needs your help! Choose your totem and go on an adventure through the bush, all without leaving your lounge room! Can you solve the puzzles and find the objects needed for your virtual quest? All quests completed by Thursday 8th October will receive a small prize, and will go in the draw to win one of 10 deadly Wathaurong 40 Year anniversary t-shirts! T-shirt prize draws will be held live online on Friday 9th October (after school). Start your Virtual Quest here: https://forms.gle/9tjDqsX9rzradrUYA A special thank you to Glenn Shea for creating the story for the Virtual Quest!

10.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Anne recently joined Wathaurong as a Youth Justice worker. Welcome Anne! NAME: Anne Last... ROLE: Youth Justice Worker BACKGROUND: I am a mother of 3 beautiful children & 8 gorgeous grandchildren. For almost 20yrs I worked in hospitality in Vic & WA ranging from breakfast chef & conference coordinator to a trainee management position with P&O based at a remote gold mine site in Wiluna WA. Among other duties, I remember having to develop a procedure for removing/clearing kangaroos & other wildlife from the local airstrip prior to small aircraft carrying shift workers arriving & departing. I then spent a few years in education where I provided services such as security & front desk operations at the WA Department of Education & Training & later I expanded to provide risk management at private schools. I spent time at TAFE educating VET students on general entry level OHS who had goals of working in the safety sector on remote mine sites. I entered the WA Prison Officer Academy & when I graduated, I focused on my interest of working in rehabilitation programs. I moved from WA back to Vic and was a non uniformed Assessment & Transitional Coordinator based at Middleton Prison, with a 6 month secondment at Marngoneet Correctional Centre & later at the Melbourne Assessment Prison. During my time at the MAP I was offered to join Community Corrections in Gippsland where I was involved at Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place & its diversion program under the guidance of Shaun Braybrook. I moved to gain experience as a Specialized Case Manager in Ararat. I then completed my time with DOJCS in Melbourne as an Aboriginal Case Manager. I am eager to begin my next journey with Wathaurong & working with youths at risk. It will be a challenging & exciting role with its ups & downs and as a new team member, I will no doubt, be drawing on your knowledge, expertise & support along the way. Looking forward to meeting you all.

10.01.2022 As announced by Premier Daniel Andrews this morning, Regional Victoria will be moving to the THIRD STEP of the Roadmap to Reopening as of midnight Wednesday 16th September. This means that as of Thursday, our mob will be able to move a bit more freely around regional Victoria. Check out these graphics for more detail on what this means, and stay tuned for more updates from us. A reminder that metro Melbourne is still in the FIRST STEP and we cannot travel into or out of met...ro Melbourne without a valid reason. Great news for us mob in regional Vic, remember to continue to wear your masks and lets keep the numbers low and dropping!

09.01.2022 Members - please see notice from Chairperson Craig Edwards about the extension of the 2019/20 AGM which will now be held in 2021. The Notice of AGM for the new date will be sent to members shortly. This notice can also be found on our website here: https://www.wathaurong.org.au/n/notice-of-extension-of-agm/

08.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Following on from yesterdays profile of Nadia Albert, meet the other half of our Strategic Policy team, Angela Walsh! Angela and Nadia work closely together to develop strategic policies across the whole of the Wathaurong organisation. NAME: Angela Walsh... ROLE: Strategic Policy Team with Nadia Albert BACKGROUND: I was born in Alloway on the west coast of Scotland and I a strong Scottish nationalist. For the last 20 years I have worked as consultant, and project manager / leader of major multi-year projects across Australia and Internationally driving intersectional systemic change for the prevention of family violence, gender equality, anti-racism and also mental health and wellbeing. Internationally I have worked with UNICEF, the United Nations, and International NGOs in Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Thailand and Central Europe. I live on Wurundjeri country with my gorgeous partner Mark, my daughters Ella and Anador, and my mum Pamela and love walking, riding my bike and normally I go to as many live music gigs as I can. . WHAT DO I LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: I just love working at Wathaurong. Simon and the Corprate Service Team has been so welcoming I feel like I have worked here for years already. I love the passion and commitment of our team and the fierceness and courageousness of our CEO Lisa.

08.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Say hello to Provisional Psychologist, Natasha Ling! NAME: Natasha Ling ... ROLE: Provisional Psychologist BACKGROUND: I started my career as a support worker, working in both residential and community settings. For over six years, I worked alongside individuals who lived with various types of mental illness, offering psychosocial supports. After completing my Masters program in 2018, I continued working in community mental health as a provisional psychologist before joining the Wathaurong on 10th August this year. WHAT DO I LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: I feel at home with the culture of warmth, respect, and trust at the Wathaurong.

07.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Lynne is one of our senior medical receptionists at the Health Services since March this year. NAME: Lynne Lancaster... ROLE: Senior Medical Receptionist BACKGROUND: My Heritage is Welsh on my Mothers side & English on my Fathers side. I love to spend time with family & Friends. We often meet at a local caf, restaurant or winery and listen to live music whilst sharing a white wine or bubbles. I use to play competition tennis but not for a few years now as working full time put a stop to that. I try to walk every day with my sister. My favourite places to walk are always near water, whether it be the ocean, beach lake or river. I am a divorced mother of 7 beautiful grown up children & 11 grandchildren. WHAT DO I LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: I only started working at Wathaurong the end of March, just prior to the first lockdown. I am very grateful to be working with such amazing, kind hearted and wonderful health workers. I have met some amazing people that work here. I also love the interaction that you get between the patients and myself. Im amazed that patients already remember my name. I am also blown away just how many services Wathaurong have out there for all of the Community. Lover where I Liveand Love where I work

07.01.2022 Theres no question that this year has been tough for everyone. From bushfires to a pandemic and lockdown, we have endured a lot. Our mob are strong and resilient and together, we can get through this too. Being isolated and not being able to gather together is one of the hardest things - its not our mobs way and we wish we could all get together and have a yarn. But until we can do that, the next best thing is to reach out over the phone, send a text, send an email, call ...on Facetime - check in with each other and ask - R U OK? And if someone tells you theyre not ok, that they might be struggling and need some help, its important to know where to turn to and who to contact to get more help. Remember that you wont have all the answers, and thats OK! Just listening and being there for someone who is going through a tough time is one of the most important things you can do. For anyone who is struggling, its ok to reach out and ask for help. Talking about your struggles is the first step to getting back to a good place. A good tip is to save these important numbers in your phone, so youve always got them handy in case you need them. Wathaurong: 5277 0044 Yarning SafenStrong: 1800 959 563 (24/7 service) Dardi Munwarros Brother to Brother: 1800 435 799 (men only 24/7 service) Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (for kids aged 5-25) eHeadspace: 1800 650 890 (for kids aged 12-25) Mental Health Triage: 1300 094 187 (24 hours) #KeepOurMobSafe #RUOK

05.01.2022 If you're sending mail, this is a great way to spread awareness of Australia's traditional owners. You can include a traditional place name below the mail reci...pients’s name and above their street address. Hundreds of nations covered this continent for tens of thousands of years. We should be proud to acknowledge that history in any way we can no matter how big or small.

05.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Today we profile Bek Condello, who works with Wathaurong and Orange Door as an Aboriginal Hub Practitioner. NAME: Bek Condello... ROLE: Aboriginal Hub Practitioner BACKGROUND: I am from Hobart, and there I was working in lots of different areas in the community service sector. Ive worked extensively with youth, and DV, in multiple shelters, I have done outreach to prisons, and worked in crisis / homelessness. Two years ago, I had some big personal life changes, and decided to travel, which ended up taking me to Africa to volunteer at a friends organisation in South Africa working with Street Children. From there I then started working for a US based organisation all over Africa teaching sexual assault prevention self defense training to women in communities that they then taught to girls. I had to return back to Australia from Zambia in April due to COVID and decided to settle in Melbourne. But as much as I try and convince myself that I am a city girl, I really am not and it was my dream to work for an Indigenous organisation when I returned. So I finished up my role with the US organisation and relocated to Geelong! WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: Everyone I have "met" so far seems so lovely, and I cant wait to be working in a team again, and with you all!

05.01.2022 Sending a shout out to Feed Me Bellarine and our Wathaurong casual drivers for all their deadly work in providing pre-packaged meals and grocery boxes to our mob throughout this pandemic. We are currently providing food assistance to over 150 families in the Geelong and Colac region. If you are not part of this program and need help, please sign up at our online form: https://forms.gle/DKNkScz8udqumh8H6... #KeepOurMobSafe

03.01.2022 Check out Wathaurong Glass & Arts in the It’s Our Backyard campaign. Remember to support local when thinking about buying gifts for Christmas this year!

03.01.2022 Hey you mob! Some great news this morning from Premier Daniel Andrew’s around further easing of restrictions. As of midnight tonight, the following restrictions will apply: MASKS are no longer required to be work outdoors, but must still be worn indoors or if you can’t keep a social distance of 1.5m outdoors. Make sure you always carry a mask with you just in case!! OUTDOOR PUBLIC GATHERINGS at places like the park or the beach are now allowed with up to 50 people - socia...l distancing rules still apply. VISITORS AT HOME - you can now have up to 15 people visit your home per day. This can be split across the day but cannot be more than 15 people total in one day. Check out the full range of updates on the DHHS website.

03.01.2022 Not too late to join the Spark Health Wellah Women online program!

03.01.2022 ArtsReady (delivered by AFL Sportsready - National) currently has an exciting traineeship opportunity available for a 3D Visualiser in Geelong. Applications have just been extended. This traineeship is exclusive to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander applicants. As part of the traineeship, you will:... - Be employed by AFL SportsReady, as part of the ArtsReady program - Work with Spiire - an integrated team of passionate Civil Engineers, Landscape Architects, Surveyors, Town Planners, Urban Designers, Visual Media Artists and Water professionals - Get paid while studying for a nationally recognised qualification - Receive one-on-one mentoring support and networking opportunities To apply for this traineeship or for more information, check it out on Seek. Any questions contact [email protected] https://www.seek.com.au/job/50405072

02.01.2022 MEET THE TEAM Today we say hello to another one of our newer staff members, Beth joined Wathaurong in late June this year. NAME: Beth Davis... ROLE: Communications & Media Officer BACKGROUND: I have worked in events and communications for over 10 years, and previously worked with the National Basketball League and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. Im also currently studying part time online through Deakin University completing my Masters of Business Administration. I love sport, and when were not on lockdown I spend my weekends taking my son, who is in year 7 at St Josephs College, to all his different sporting activities! I also love a bit of karaoke, trivia quizzes and escape room puzzles. WHAT DO I LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT WATHAURONG: Its been interesting starting a new job during a pandemic, its tough when you cant meet all your work mates in person! But so far Ive found that everyone has been very welcoming and Im really enjoying learning about and promoting the many different services that Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op offers to the community.

01.01.2022 This Thursday, September 10th, is R U OK Day. Now more than ever it is important to reach out to our mob and ask, R U OK? But the conversation doesnt stop there. Using these four steps can help to start a conversation that could change a life. 1. Ask R U OK? 2. Listen 3. Encourage action 4. Check in... Thursday 10th September is also World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide affects many Australians with around 3046 people taking their lives each year, leaving many loved ones and communities affected by these losses. The good news is that by working together as a community we can make a difference. At Wathaurong our staff are participating in the Wellways #sockittosuicide2020 campaign and were inviting the community to join us. Wear your loudest and proudest socks, snap some photos of your footsies and send them through to us we will then share our communitys super socks on Instagram on Thursday. You can send your sock pics via Facebook messenger, or email them to [email protected]