Wominjeka - Goldfields Mob

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Much has been happening for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the Goldfields recently:

Reconcilation Action Week 

This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week is ‘More than a word, Reconciliation takes action’. 

Council is working towards genuine change and we recognise that any planning or decision making about First Nations people and/or Reconciliation needs to be done in partnership with our First Nations community.

We recognise the importance of building relationships of respect and trust in order to move forward.

As part of Reconciliation Action Week, Council is inviting our First Nations community to come along to our Goldfields Mob Connect Community Day.

The event will be held on Sunday 30 May from 10.30am to 2.30pm at the Community Hub and Station Doman Gardens in Maryborough.

Come along, bring the family, connect and have some fun.

Activities include: 

  • The day will open with a Welcome, smoking ceremony and didge player.
  • There will be activities for families including games and inflatables run by The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and cultural activities with TruDreaming.
  • There will be a yarning circle to talk about what life is like in the Goldfields for mob.
  • There will be morning tea and an official lunch for participants and representatives of council.
  • There will be a thank you gift bag with a mix of goodies for everyone that comes along, including gifts from First Nations businesses.

For more information, and to RSVP contact Council’s Reconciliation Officer Georgia MacGuire on 0428 941 399. 

 

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Reconciliation Action Plan:

The development of Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan is underway.

Our Reconciliation Officer Georgia MacGuire has been running Reconciliation Vision workshops with Councillors and staff.

This has included learning about the core values and the five dimensions of Reconciliation: Historical Acceptance; Race Relations; Equality and Equity; Institutional Integrity; and Unity.

The focus of the workshops has been to develop a Council vision for Reconciliation, which will be included in the Plan.

Once developed, Council will establish a Reconciliation Working Group which will include First Nations community representatives.

The first Central Goldfields Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is expected to be launched by the end of 2021.

Keep an eye out on Council’s Facebook page @centralgoldfields and the Goldfields Mob Facebook page @goldfieldsmob for updates.

Women’s Health Day:

In March, 2021 Maryborough District Health Service, Bendigo District Aboriginal Co-operative and The Orange Door hosted Murrun Dehlk. Murrun Delhk – meaning Live Good Health – was an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Day with a range of activities and some great food from The Murnong Mummas.

As part of the day, Council’s Reconciliation Officer Georgia McGuire put on her artist hat and worked with the women to create a mural that tells the story of the birds of the Goldfields.

Interpretative garden:

 Council, together with the Gallery team, are working with The Dja Dja Wurrung commercial services Djandak, to create an Indigenous interpretative garden as part of the redevelopment of the Central Goldfields Art Gallery.

For more information on the Gallery redevelopment project click HERE.

Goldfields Mob project:

The Goldfields Mob project aims to support First Nations members of our community to connect with each other and have better access to services and support in the region.

     ■ Goldfields Mob Connect Program

A six-week digital literacy program is currently underway, an opportunity for local First Nations families to learn how to navigate social media and online supports.

     ■ Social media

Did you know the Goldfields Mob is on Facebook and Instagram?

Local First Nations people are encouraged to connect with others and to access information.

     Facebook - @goldfieldsmob

     Instagram - @goldfields_mob

For more information about First Nations Community activities or if you just want a cuppa and a yarn contact Council’s Reconciliation Officer Georgia MacGuire on 0428 941 399 or send an inbox message via the Goldfields Mob Facebook page.