by ·Comments Off on Woor-Dungin presents ‘How can philanthropy walk with us?’ at IFIP Pacific Regional Hui

IFIP Pacific Regional Hui, Otaki, NZ 8-9 May 2017

 

On 9 May Woor-Dungin presented a session at the International Funders for Indigenous Peoples’ Pacific Regional Hui (‘gathering’) in Otaki, New Zealand, titled ‘How can philanthropy walk with us? A key to successful philanthropy with Aboriginal communities’.

Woor-Dungin’s presenters spoke about what philanthropy can do to work more effectively with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to build respectful relationships and ensure successful outcomes. Central to this is the concept of dadirri, or ‘deep listening’ – listening with all the senses.

The message to philanthropy was summed up in the following simple but powerful words:

“Walk with us.
Not in front of us, not behind us, and definitely not over us.”

‘How can philanthropy walk with us?’ was received with great interest by the other presenters and by representatives of philanthropy in the audience. It was reportedly one of the highlights of the hui.

International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) is the only global donor affinity group dedicated solely to Indigenous peoples around the world. The New Zealand hui was one of 14 major conferences IFIP has organised over the past 17 years, bringing thousands of donors and Indigenous leaders together.

Woor-Dungin’s Executive Officer, Christa Momot, was on the hui’s organising committee.

  • Watch a recording of ‘How can philanthropy walk with us? A key to successful philanthropy with Aboriginal communities’ here
  • Read more about IFIP here
  • Read more about Woor-Dungin’s Respectful Relationships program here

Photo of hui participants courtesy of IFIP Pacific Regional Hui’s Facebook page.

by ·Comments Off on Congratulations to Mallee District Aboriginal Services’ new graduates

MDAS logoMDAS logo_text Bouverie Centre

 

Thirteen staff from Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) have recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Family Therapy.

MDAS is one of Woor-Dungin’s Aboriginal partner organisations.

The one-year course was delivered by Alison Elliott and Fiona McIlwaine from the Indigenous Program at the Bouverie Centre. The Bouverie Centre is a key stakeholder in Woor-Dungin’s Aboriginal Community Worker Support Program.

The successful graduates work in MDAS’ family services, social and emotional wellbeing, and executive teams at Mildura, Swan Hill, Kerang and Robinvale. They attended a graduation ceremony at the Mildura campus of Latrobe University on 21 April.

Click here for MDAS’s website and here for their latest newsletter.

by ·Comments Off on Belated third birthday wishes to Willum Warrain

Willum Warrain's third birthday, 25 Mar 2017

On 25 March Willum Warrain celebrated their third birthday.

Willum Warrain is one of Woor-Dungin’s Aboriginal partner organisations.

Over 180 people attended the Gathering Place at Hastings on a beautiful sunny day.

The celebration began with a smoking ceremony, and during the BBQ a pair of wedge-tailed eagles were seen circling overhead.

DPP_0098

Woor-Dungin wishes Willum Warrain many happy returns, and acknowledges their kind permission to reproduce photographs taken on the day.

For more information, please visit Willum Warrain’s Facebook page.

by ·Comments Off on Bunjil sculpture unveiled at Willum Warrain

Bunjil launch at Willum Warrain with Minister Hunt

A magnificent statue of Bunjil, creator spirit of the peoples of the Kulin nations, was unveiled 28 April at Willum Warrain’s Gathering Place on the Mornington Peninsula.

Willum Warrain is one of Woor-Dungin’s Aboriginal partner organisations.

The sculpture, made by local artist Paul Mutimer, was funded through the generosity of the George Hicks Foundation.

The unveiling was attended by Federal Member for Flinders Greg Hunt.

Here is a report of the event courtesy of Willum Warrain’s Facebook page:

It was a wonderful event tonight at Willum Warrain with 100 or so people in attendance. Uncle Chris West from the Bunurong Land Council had some supportive comments to make whilst he did the Welcome to Country. Lionel, Nola, Jeanette, Wenzel and Neil did us proud with the smoking ceremony and water blessing.

Well done MC-ing and organising everything Karsten and Dawnie, Vicki and Anne for the catering.

We appreciated the kind words and participation from Greg Hunt, Bev Colomb and Stephanie Exton. Thanks to everyone who came and shared in the unveiling.

A big day for Willum Warrain!

Paul Mutimer, the sculptor, wasn’t able to be there to see his great statue unveiled but everyone loved his Bunjil. It was good that his wife and daughter were there instead.

Bunjil at Willum Warrain

The fabulous photographs also come from Willum Warrain’s Facebook page and are reproduced here with kind permission.

Read more about Willum Warrain here.

by ·Comments Off on Jane Rosengrave wins Public Advocate’s Best Achievement in Disability Advocacy award

The Public Advocate, Colleen Pearce, has awarded Woor-Dungin member Jane Rosegrave the Public Advocate’s Best Achievement in Disability Advocacy award at the 2017 Funds in Court Inspire Award presentations, held 26 April in Melbourne.

“Jane is a very worthy recipient,” Ms Pearce said.

“Jane is a proud Aboriginal woman and disability advocate who is widely respected for her fearless advocacy regarding violence against people with disability. With 90% of women with an intellectual disability experiencing sexual abuse, Jane’s willingness to speak about her experiences and tireless advocacy has given a human face to this shocking statistic and brought much-needed public attention to this previously ignored issue.”

Jane is also a member of Reinforce Self-Advocacy and a board member of First Peoples Disability Network Australia.

We congratulate Jane on her achievement.