Watnanda Consulting has been on the road this month travelling across many Countries. Judith travelled to Casterton to attend Aunty June Gills funeral and the celebration of her life. Aunty June was a true Gunditjmara Elder who shared stories, wisdom and her time with many people over the years. Judith called in to visit Aunty Kay and Uncle Ted Lovett in Ballarat. Uncle Ted is another true Gunditjmara Elder who is very knowledgeable, has lots of wisdom and proud of his family and their achievements. Aunty Kay is a well-respected person within the Ballarat community and has campaigned for social justice for many years.

Judith attended the “Meet the Candidates’ at the CUBE Wodonga. Mathew Atkinson and Mick Harding came along to let us know why they are standing for the First Nations Assembly for Victoria.

It is now time to cast your vote and we are so fortunate to have Lucy from the treaty Commission Connole assist people to register to vote and she is also the one at the polling booths throughout the North East. It is not to late you can get online or call the Treaty office for assistance if you need it.

Judith has been working on the Business plan and engaged Sam Holding from Hue Graphics to work on the graphic design and formatting. The final draft has been sent off to the Project Steering Committee.

Link: http://www.huegraphics.com.au/

A plan has been developed and Judith has been in contact with the CP workers to set a date and time for the first yarning session to happen.

Watnanda Consulting family would like to welcome Kerrie Brown who will be coordinating this project for the next 6 months. Kerrie brings with her over 25 years’ experience with the Wodonga community. Kerrie is going to work with Hume Region Dhelk Dja Action Group, Women’s’ Health Goulburn North East and Urbus to deliver this resource kit across the Hume Region.

Judith was engaged by Right People for Country to do mediation work. It was lovely to meet people who can come together and work together for our future generations. 

Link: https://w.www.vic.gov.au/aboriginalvictoria.html

Represented the committee at the East Division Aboriginal Caucus meeting held in Nagambie.

Attended the East division Aboriginal Governance Committee meeting in Nagambie.

Watnanda Consulting Pty Ltd has been engaged by the East Division Child Protection to conduct Yarning Circles with Aboriginal workers and learning circles with managers. We Met with the manager to develop an action plan.

This project is progressing with starting to get all the artwork and printing arrangements sorted.

Developed an action plan to assist with this work to flow. Started connecting with the participants who have been engaged in this program. It was great to see the wonderful work that is happening through song, theatre, and the arts in our communities. It is a privilege to have this opportunity to work with all these talented and inspiring people.

Link https://creative.vic.gov.au/

Judith was nominated and she accepted to be on the Kinaway Board. The first meeting was to review the strategic plan where she got to meet the other board members. Jamie Thomas and Sara Jones from Wayapa Wuurrk started the planning day with an introduction into their program

Link: https://kinaway.com.au/

Link: https://wayapa.com/

This project is progressing with starting to get all the artwork and printing arrangements sorted.

Watnanda Consulting Pty Ltd has been engaged by Creative Victoria to deliver the First Peoples Capacity Building program throughout Victoria to creative organisations, over the next 15 months. We are delighted to have Karen Milward to work with us during this time. 

Link https://creative.vic.gov.au/

Judith attended and participated in the conversations throughout the day. Many of the representative community members attended from across the Ovens Murray Area. Marie Fletcher did a great job at facilitating and keeping us on track. The day was about understanding self-determination and how does this fit with Aboriginal people living in a regional and rural area.

Judith attended a dinner and the reading of a play called “Stolen’ read by local Aboriginal people. It has been a long-standing play that Jane Harrison wrote and has travelled around the Country for many years.

On the last Friday of every month the FNSACG comes together to have a yarn and find out what’s happening in our community. This meeting focused on the trip to Canberra for a few people and ideas ad ways to help improve communication amongst the group.

Watnanda Consulting Pty Ltd has been engaged by Hume Region Dhelk Dja Action Group to implement this project which we hope will prevent and reduce family violence in our families.

Over the next 12 months we will hold 4 workshops and roll out over 300 resource kits that were developed in 2017 with the guidance of an advisory group. This project is being auspice by Women’s health Goulburn North East (WHGNE)

We called in to visit Jill Gallagher and Caroline Kell at the Treaty office in Carlton. It was great catchup them both on the Treaty news and gathering resources for the Treaty Bags on our road trip around the North East of Victoria.

Judith was invited to speak at the Apology Day morning tea organised by the Wodonga Library. It is a day to reflect and reach out to all family members who were removed. 11 years on since PM Kevin Rudd Apologised to the Stolen generation and it was the beginning of Closing the Gap campaign.

Treahna Hamm spoke of her experience being at the Apology Day in Canberra.

Watnanda Consulting entered a team this year in the City 2 City event to raise money for Albury Wodonga Health. We entered the 7.5km walk and talk. It was great to have our team including partners and children make a family day.

Co-chair the OMAGC meeting held this month. There are lots of things happening across the Ovens Murray regarding programs and projects. We are trying to align all the plans and frameworks and to look at the priorities we want to work. If you are an aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person wishing to join a committee to represent the local area where you live, please contact Liz Heta on 0250557777.

The Centre for Continuing Education (Wangaratta) Strengthening Family Connections Advisory Group had its final meeting this month. Thank you again to all the Advisory Group who were part of this, to Rosie Koop for keeping on top of all the changes and to Felicity Fletcher for providing this opportunity to Watnanda Consulting to be part of this great program.

Link: https://www.thecentre.vic.edu.au/

Victorian Treaty Community Engagement Project

During this month Watnanda Consulting has been planning the road trips. Liz Heta from DHHS is coming along to promote the work she is currently doing. We are hoping to hear the voices of Aboriginal people in the North East of Victoria on their aspirations for a Victorian Treaty.
Link: http://victreatyadvancement.org.au/

Treaty for Victoria Community Engagement visit to Benalla 25 February

Other places and dates we are visiting are:

Corryong 5^th March  - Black Sheep Café – 12noon

Tallangatta 7^th March - Teddy’s Joint – 10.30

Mansfield 12 March - Old fire Station Bistro & Grill – 6pm

Wangaratta 19^th March - Café Derailleur – 12 noon

Beechworth 22^nd March - Beechworth Provender – 12 noon

Bright 26^th March - Dumu Balcony Café- 12 noon

Wodonga 27^th March - Café Grove – 12 noon

Watnanda Consulting was proud to sponsor Evie Johnston who play netball for the Queensland under 14 black team at the National Indigenous netball carnival on Friday 11 January. Evie was successful in trying out for the Queensland team that will play at Surfers Paradise during September.

Watnanda Consulting hosted 3 guests at the Australian Open on Monday 14^th January, the first day of play. It was in appreciation for their support and assistance over the past 2 years they have provided to Watnanda Consulting.

On 24 January I travelled down to Gunditjmara Country to attend the McDonald family gathering held at Lake Condah Mission. Over the weekend there were cultural tours, cultural practices experienced, historical research shared, and stories told to ensure the knowledge is passed down to the next generation. I am looking forward to the next family gathering in 2021.

A community ceremony was held on the 26^th January at the convincing grounds Portland in memory of the people who passed away as a result of the massacres and killings since colonisation.

The Centre for Continuing Education (Wangaratta) has engaged me to establish and facilitate an advisory group for the Strengthen Family Connections program. This project is going to be so beneficial to all Aboriginal families who participate. The aim is for the Strengthening Family connections program to be piloted in Wangaratta in February 2019. Rosie Koop and I have completed all the children’s, parents/carers, and the group sessions are on track to be completed by the next Advisory group meeting in February 2019.

Link: https://www.thecentre.vic.edu.au/

The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (Shepparton) has engaged me to find out the education and training opportunities in the Hume Region for young Aboriginal people wanting a career in the Natural Resource Management sector. This report has been completed and submitted.

Link:    https://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/

Victorian Treaty Community Engagement Project

During this month I have been planning the travels I will be doing to hear the voices of Aboriginal people in the North East of Victoria on their aspirations for a Victorian Treaty. 

Link: http://victreatyadvancement.org.au/