GEGAC’s Bron McInnes, Aaliyah Ratzmann and Belinda Lobley at this year’s Easter Gathering.
Events like this are a crucial way of making sure our community stays connected and people don’t become isolated.
Photo by Jake Lynch/GEGAC
“Humans are not meant to exist in isolation. We have always been connected to our people. And as times change, we need to keep creating new ways to stay connected.”
Shae White has been thinking a lot lately about how mob stay connected, and the importance of those connections.
Shae was part of a team of GEGAC staff that attended the 6th National Social and Emotional Wellbeing Forum in Perth last month, which explored mental health challenges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are facing at the moment, and highlighted strategies to tackle the high rates of Indigenous suicide and substance abuse that continue to devastate First Nations communities.
One of the key themes that emerged from that forum was the importance of continually creating social events and reasons for mob to come together on country, to celebrate, to learn, or just to have a feed and a yarn.
There are lots of great examples of Aboriginal organisations across Australia bringing Community together for special gatherings.
We want to hear from you – what sort of gatherings would you like to see?
Workshops on country? Social events? Sports? Arts and culture workshops? Education sessions for Boorai?
The possibilities are endless, and we want your ideas.
Katungul Aboriginal Corporation on the Far South Coast of NSW runs father and son camps, as do several other Aboriginal organisations, including the Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service here in Bairnsdale, which also runs camps for women.
Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative in Warrnambool hosts cloak making workshops, and an annual cricket match for community.
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative in Mooroopna is one of a number of Aboriginal organisations that organises fishing comps.
The Dilly Bag program by Djirra brings Aboriginal women together on country to explore and celebrate their culture.
Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association hosts dance workshops on country, and Children’s Ground organises field trips on country for kids to learn about bird species.
The Statewide Basketball Classic hosted by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd brings together mob from all over Victoria.
Elsewhere there are art workshops, music events, community meetings about new legislation or programs, traditional cooking gatherings, and seniors’ sports carnivals.
“COVID was certainly the big disruption. But the need for community and connection hasn’t diminished just because COVID has begun to diminish. In terms of mental health and wellbeing, it’s more important now than ever before.”
Shae White
These events help reduce the risk of individuals becoming isolated or disconnected from their family and friends, and keep alive the social pathways that support people in times when they need it.
“COVID was certainly the big disruption,” Shae said. “But the need for community and connection hasn’t diminished just because COVID has begun to diminish. In terms of mental health and wellbeing, it’s more important now than ever before.”
GEGAC is planning on organising more get-togethers for Community in the coming months.
And we want to hear from you – what sort of gatherings would you like to see?
Workshops on country? Social events? Sports? Arts and culture? Education sessions for Boorai?
The possibilities are endless, and we want your ideas.
If you’ve got a deadly idea for a Community gathering GEGAC could host, email Shae at shae.white@gegac.org.au or call 5152 0887.
