January started off with Watnanda Team having the opportunity to go to the Australian Open for a day. The day was a long one, but it was worth the early start and late night. January went quite quickly with Watnanda working with Creative Victoria on the OIP First Nations Capacity Building program. Watnanda’s team member Kerrie continued to work with Women’s Health Goulburn North East on the ‘No Shame, This Way Forward’ project. The Aboriginal Water Program Evaluation stage 2 started with organising conversations with key people working in this area. Judy attended and actively participated in the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Board meetings which the coming year looks very exciting, with new CEO coming on board to lead Kinaway into 2020. Judy was also looking forward to attending and actively being involved in the North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) as a Board Director.

During January had it challenges with the bush fires experienced in our Region and across Victoria.

Watnanda Consulting has a new car to ensure reliability and safety can be provided to deliver a service.

Kerrie facilitated and delivered the No Shame, This Way Forward resource kits workshops across the Hume Region. Kerrie represented Watnanda who was asked to participate in the Evaluation which Urbis were conducting on behalf of Safety Victoria. This work was completed in April.

Watnanda was engaged by Parks Victoria to facilitate a Truth Telling and Healing Forum on behalf of the Barengi Gadjin LC, Gunditj Mirring TOAC, Eastern Maar AC and Parks Victoria. The forum is to be co-designed by all groups.

The Aboriginal Water Program stage 2 continued with coordinating the conversations with key people. The Aboriginal Water Program consultations mode of delivery had to change from direct contact to having phone conversations. This proved to be quite challenging at times, but it was managed to every one’s ability.

The Watnanda team organised and coordinated a trip for the Wodonga’s Aboriginal Senior Consultative Group members to travel to the South West of Victoria basing themselves at Halls Gap in the Gariwerd (Grampians). The group of 16 left Wodonga on the Thursday morning and returned on Sunday. During the time away the group experienced Welcomes to the Countries they crossed, smoking ceremonies and learnt about the survival of the Traditional Owners.

Watnanda was engaged by Price Waterhouse & Cooper Indigenous Consulting to organise consultations with the local Aboriginal community for the work they were doing with the Wodonga City Council Reconcilitation Action Plan.

The OIP First Nations Capacity Building program was starting to take shape with the tailored training sessions and the shared training sessions were developed based on the initial conversations with the participants in 2019. There were 17 tailored training sessions designed to deliver over the next few months. The Watnanda team has the pleasure to work with Karen Milward from Karen Milward Consulting on this program. www.karenmilward.com.au/

The work with Creative Victoria OIP First Nations Capacity Building Program was put on ‘pause’ due to the COVID 19 restrictions.

Meereeng 50: Judy was accepted into the acceleration Aboriginal business program. The program started with all 12 Aboriginal businesses coming together at Melbourne University with 6 Corporates who are interested in contracting Aboriginal businesses at the end of the program and into the future. M50 went to virtual sessions in March which was quite foreign for a business to pivot to away that is not accustom or had not practice in this way before.

Watnanda was engaged by Price Waterhouse & Cooper Indigenous Consulting to organise consultations with the local Aboriginal community for the work they were doing with the Wodonga City Council Reconcilitation Action Plan.

Judy attended and actively attended the Kinaway and NECMA Board meetings. However, due to the COVID restrictions in March the meetings went virtual.

After the bush fires and the devastation felt by many people that another test was placed in front of us, COVID 19. Due to COVID 19 restrictions and the uncertainty of what the future may bring, Watnanda had to say thank you and goodbye to Kerrie for all the hard work she had done over the past 6 months. Hopefully one day there will be another opportunity for Kerrie to return to our team.

Judy continued to actively be involved as the Chair for the Wodonga Aboriginal Network.

Judy continued to be the co-convenor of the Ovens Murray Aboriginal Governance Committee and the deputy chair of the Eastern Area Koori Caucus.

To progress the Truth Telling and Healing Forum during the restrictions a historical fact timeline is being developed to assist with identifying the unresolved business. A draft forum plan was developed based on the input by Barengi Gadjin LC, Gunditj Mirring TOAC, Eastern Maar AC and Parks Victoria.

The Aboriginal Water Program stage 2 report was being developed based on the documents reviewed and the conve

The OIP First Nations Capacity Building program ‘pause’ was decided to be lifted with a re-program designed based where the creative organisations decision 1/ continue with identified tailored topics, adjust the topics, or withdraw from the program. There were 4 creative organisations opted to continue with the program.

Watnanda decided to offer 2 scholarships to the Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program for 2021. An information session was conducted virtually however no Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people in the North East took this opportunity up. Watnanda hopes to be involved in the 2022 program to offer a scholarship.

udy and Catherine had professional photos taken by Little Rocket to assist with reviewing Watnanda’s website.

Meereeng 50: M50 continued throughout the 4 months. Judy received Business coaching from Jodie Sizer from PWC.

Judy participated in the NECMA cultural safety training provided by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation. Judy assisted with providing the local content for the training.

Judy met with Liz Heta from Department of Health and Human Services.

Judy met with the Local Aboriginal Networks Chairs in the North East.

Judy attended and actively attend the Kinaway’s and NECMA Board and sub-committee virtual meetings.

Judy continued to actively be involved as the Chair for the Wodonga Aboriginal Network.

Judy continued to be the co-convenor of the Ovens Murray Aboriginal Governance Committee and the deputy chair of the Eastern Area Koori Caucus.

COVID 19 consortium developed a fridge magnet, care packs.

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

The historical fact timeline draft was completed by Parks Victoria and is now sitting with the 3 Traditional Owner groups to enter their information. The plans for the Truth Telling and Healing forum are still being worked through.

The Aboriginal Water Program report was completed in October. However, there were 2 reports developed they were truth telling report for internal purposes and the public report for the participants and to assist with the future of the Aboriginal Water Program. Watnanda engaged Mim McGowan (editing) and Hue graphics (graphic design) to assist with getting the report up to a quality standard to submit.

Watnanda was engaged by the Glenelg Shire Council to review the Glenelg Aboriginal Partnership agreement.

The OIP First Nations Capacity Building program was getting back on track. Karen Milward from Karen Milward Consulting co-facilitated the workshops with Judy.

Watnanda sponsored and engaged Cooee café and Ngarga Warendj to provide Jal Jal Chocolates, specialised teas and lemon myrtle biscuits and coffee mugs to make up gift hampers for Wodonga Aboriginal Seniors Consultative Group members. The idea was to lift the spirits of the group members.

www.cooeecafeandcatering.com.au/

https://www.ngargawarendj.com/

The Watnanda team organised and coordinated a trip for the Wodonga’s Aboriginal Senior Consultative Group members to travel to the South West of Victoria basing themselves at Halls Gap in the Gariwerd (Grampians). The group of 16 left Wodonga on the Thursday morning and returned on Sunday. Over the time away the group experienced Welcome to the different Countries they crossed, smoking ceremonies and learnt about the survival of the Traditional Owners.

Watnanda was engaged by Price Waterhouse & Cooper Indigenous Consulting to organise the consultations appointments with key local Aboriginal people. PWC was engaged by Wodonga City Council Reconcilitation Action Plan.

Meereeng 50: M50 went virtual which provided challenges but was valuable to learning about all aspects of growing your business.

Judy attended the ‘Caring for Country’ virtual forum.

Judy attended the First People’s Assembly Forums.

Judy was accepted into the Women’s Board acceleration program for 2021 with the support of NECMA.

Met with Tahlia Biggs who had just started in a position at the Wodonga City Council.

Judy met with LANs Broker Darren Moffit.

Judy met with Mel Walkerden from the Wodonga police station.

Judy attended and actively attend the Kinaway’s and NECMA Board and subcommittee virtual meetings.

Judy participated in NECMA’s Strategic Plan

Judy joined the Albury Wodonga Regional Deal Economic Development, Infrastructure & Connectivity Reference Group (1 meeting was attended).

Judy was appointed onto the Victorian Aboriginal Employment & Economic Council.

A North East Aboriginal Consortium was established to provide an opportunity for all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people living in the North East to receive COVID 19 information and care packs. Watnanda provided the coordination for this project.

Judy resigned as the Wodonga Aboriginal Network Chair.

Judy resigned as the co-convenor of the Ovens Murray Aboriginal Governance Committee.