DJILBA 2014 | Issue 6 CHAMPION MESSAGE
Kiya and welcome to another edition of
our Champion Views newsletter.
Something new...
The students of Certificate II in
Leadership Development and
Nutrition course, in partnership
with the City of Armadale,
Women’s Health and Family
Services and South Metropolitan
Health Services are having a ….
August and September, the second rains
Often the coldest part of the year, with clear, cold nights and days, or
warmer, rainy and windy periods. As the nights begin to warm up there are more
clear, sunny days. Roots were collected and emus, possums and
kangaroo were hunted.
NAIDOC
The Opening Ceremony was a mixture
of
traditional
and
contemporary
celebration of our Veterans and began
with:
Seniors’ Expo 2014 at the
Champion Centre on Tuesday 18th
November 2014 from 10.00am –
2.00pm.
Traditional
Welcome
performed by locals
Vivienne Hansen,
Flag Raising ceremony conducted by
members of the Australian Defence
Force and the Kelmscott Pinjarra
Memorial Troop of the 10th Light Horse
Regiment, with a bugle player supplied
by the Salvation Army,
This event will provide seniors in
the local area with the opportunity
to meet service providers, and to
socialise and network.
Some of the activities:
Genealogy – Yorgum & State
Libraries
Expert Health and Nutrition Advice
Free giveaways
Free Entertainment
Coffee and Tea provided and a
light Lunch will be served
Other news...
Interested in sending in a good news
story? Check out OUR COMMUNITY
STORIES and send them in to us. Of
course don't forget the photos!
We are always interested to hear
feedback and discuss any programs
you would like to see running, so come
down and have a yarn with us.
Until next time, Champion Centre Team
Jodie, Brenda, Karina & Mandy.
to
Country
Morton and
Traditional Smoking Ceremony by Nigel
Wilkes and Shannon Kearing,
Cont. page 5
The City of Armadale’s NAIDOC
Celebration Day saw over 1000 people
enjoy the food, music and culture of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people. The annual NAIDOC event saw
special cultural performances by the
Wadumbah Indigenous Dance Group
and the Mungart Yongah Aboriginal
Dancers.
Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones said it
was fantastic to see so many
community members turn out to
acknowledge NAIDOC and celebrate
the day, regardless of the weather
conditions. This year’s national theme
was Servicing Country: Centenary &
Beyond, acknowledging the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander contribution
to the defence of our country and to
recognise the role they played and
reflect on their sacrifice.
Page 1
WAABINY MIA
INDIGENOUS PARENTING
SERVICE (Funded by the Australian
Government: Department of Prime Minister
and Cabinet)
If you are a Nana, Pop, Mum or Dad
we are interested in hearing from you!
PLAYGROUPS
EVENTS
Save the Children
Wednesdays, 9.30am – 12 noon and
Thursdays, 12.30pm—2.30pm
National Aboriginal & Torres
Strait Islander Children's Day
(NATSICD)
The Armadale Intensive Supported
Play scheme (ISP) is an early learning
program for children aged 0-5 years
old.
Check OUT the Community stories
page for the news on National
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
Children's Day (NATSICD).
The program aims to ensure that
children have the best start to life
through providing quality, accessible
and culturally appropriate early
childhood education.
At the same time we run the Deadly
Chef program for Mums, Aunties and
Grandmas. We also provide transport
to and from the program.
Contact Nola 0478039651
Waabiny Mia is set to hold Family
Tree/History projects for the whole
family. If you have any ideas come
down and have a yarn with us.
Do you have a family member that has
served in the Army, Navy or Air Force?
We would also like to yarn with you to
see how we should celebrate and
honour our Aboriginal Service men and
women.
Also check out the new
playgroups running here at the Centre
HIPPY PROGRAM
SEMINARS
Sister Kate’s Home Kids Aboriginal
Corporation and Communicare Inc.
have secured the HIPPY Program,
through the Brotherhood of St
Laurence and are now seeking
interested Aboriginal families who have
a 4 year old child to be part of this
new and exciting program.
Light lunch included for all participants
who attend.
We have some great activities/events
planned and we will walk with you
every step of the way. So come along
and be part of this new exciting
program for our Aboriginal families.
Contact Alta or TJ 9498 3970
Until next time stay deadly!
This workshop will inform participants
about what you need to do to get
ready for employment and
employment opportunities.
HOT DESKS
“Hot Desking” is an office organisation
system which allows multiple workers
to use a single physical work space.
ATSIAG
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Advisory Group meets the
first Tuesday of every second month
(Feb– Nov) at 12.30pm at the
Champion Centre.
The purpose of this group is to advise
and make recommendations to the
City of Armadale on a range of issues
which affect the quality of life of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people living in the City of Armadale
region.
Contact Jodie on 9399 0819.
TBA September
10am—2pm
Aboriginal Workforce
Development
Page 2
The Champion Centre has a number of
community organisations utilising the
Centre’s space for their own groups'
purposes and to connect with the
champion Centre’s clientele.
Contact Brenda for more information
about availability on 9399 0820.
WHAT’S ON
Save the Children
Reconnect
The Reconnect program provides
holistic support for young people
aged 12-18 who are homeless or
at-risk of homelessness, and are
Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander. This involves working with
the young people to achieve family
reconciliation where possible, and
engagement with employment,
education, training and the
community.
Contact Johnna 0413263462; Edna
0413342647
Play Group & Deadly Chef
Friday 10:30-12:30
Nubararch Quarnt Kaatdijin is an
early learning program for
children 0-5 years old. The
program aims to ensure that
everyone’s children have the best
start to life through providing quality,
accessible and culturally safe early
childhood education. At the same time
we have a program for Mums, Aunties
and Grandmas, including yarning and
cooking. We also provide transport to
and from the program.
Playgroup details:
Wednesday 10am-12pm
Contact Zeb and Nola 0478 039 651
One Step closer
Friday 6-9pm Blackburn Reserve;
Challis Road (behind the
Champion Centre)
One Step Closer is a safe space for
Aboriginal children and young
people aged 8-15 years old on a
Friday evening. Save the Children
along with Nyoongar Sport
Association run traditional sports and
activities. The aim of this program is
to give young people in Armadale a
fun, positive and culturally safe space
in their local area. Participating in
sports also gives young people the
opportunity to develop solid skills like
leadership, team work and selfconfidence.
Contact Courtney Mon-Fri
0422779820
Strong Tomorrow
Mon, Thurs, Fri
Strong Tomorrow works closely with
WA Police to provide support for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
young people aged 12-18 who have
come in to trouble with the law. This
involves providing young people with
a positive mentor to help them
overcome the challenges they face,
identify their strengths and support
them to choose alternative paths.
Contact Steve 0423826684
Yorgum
Counselling
Wednesday & Thursday
10am—3pm
Back to Country Camps
Mon-Fri
Back to Country camps are for
Aboriginal young people aged 1217. The camps are about having fun,
learning about Noongar culture,
building confidence and
independence, and spending time
with Noongar elders. The camp
encourages young people to be proud
of their culture and gives them an
opportunity to learn how to be solid
young role models and leaders in their
community.
Contact Courtney 0422779820
Aboriginal Driver Training
Friday 10am – 2pm
Mooditj Youth Development
Wednesday
Thursday 4.30pm—6pm
The only Nyoongar Youth Resource
Service driven by local Nyoongar
youth, we aim to build resilience in
our Koorlingars (kids), empower their
families and strengthen culture. A
newly developed initiative for high risk
Aboriginal youth aged 13-25 years.
Contact Teresa Miller on 0402492886
Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid
Impacts Aboriginal Community
Development Programs delivers this
course to both Aboriginal & non
Aboriginal people who work in the
Human Resources and
Managerial sector and who
regularly engage with Aboriginal
people in their workplace.
Contact Teresa Miller on 0402492886
Page 3
Book an appointment or simply turn
up at the Champion Centre to speak
with Liz Hayden on a range of issues
including grief and loss, link up
reunification, individual and family
counselling.
Contact Liz on 9218 9477
Are you 16 or over and don’t have
your learners permit? Visit the
Champion Centre and sit your
learners permit for free. The
program is available to all ATSI
persons metropolitan wide.
A light lunch and refreshments are
provided.
Contact Centre Staff on 93990820
Aboriginal Alcohol & Drug Service
Counseling: Thursdays 9am—
12noon
AADS provides free advice and
counseling to local Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people and their
families on alcohol and drug
problems/issues.
Contact Samantha on 9221 1411
Anglicare WA
Mental Health Carer Support
Wednesday 10am—1pm
Targeted Community Care (Mental
Health) Program – Mental Health
Respite: Carer Support provides a
range of flexible respite and support
options for carers and families of
people with severe mental illness and
carers of people with an intellectual
disability.
The aim of these services is to
provide support to assist carers and
families to maintain their caring role.
Contact Bernie on 9394 9214
WHAT’S ON
NEW CHANGES
B2 Clinic—Sexual Health
Tuesday 10am—1pm
Due to the Champion Centre filling to
capacity with new programs, new
community members and new service
providers using the centre, it was
recognised that room changes needed
to be made.
The B2 Clinic is a sexual health service
provided within the Infectious Diseases
Department of Fremantle Hospital. The
clinic aims to provide comprehensive
sexual health care that is accessible to
all members of the community.
Contact Donna on 9431 2874
Partners in Recovery
Wednesday 10am—1pm
John is the Partners In Recovery
Aboriginal Support Facilitator for the
Bentley and Armadale region.
He assists with Aboriginal mental health
support networks for individuals,
families and communities to ensure
their required needs are met, or assists
with referral on to other suitable
support agencies/organisations in their
region.
Contact John or Schiane on 92583018 /
0447472501
Medical Clinical Room – one room
has been completely redone to house
all clinicians for basic health checks.
Counselling/Meeting Room – one
room has been changed for the use of
all hot deskers that need a confidential
space for counselling. This room will
also be available for confidential
meetings.
Kitchen Fit Out – basic kitchen and
catering equipment have been
purchased for future nutritional
programs and events.
Contact Brenda for more information
about availability on 9399 0820.
CENTRE PROFILE:
Certificate II in Leadership
Development & Nutrition
Tuesday & Thursday
9.30am—2.30pm
This qualification is designed to further
develop and enhance a person’s
leadership skills. It allows participants
to develop self, work collaboratively
with other team members, plan and
participate in team meetings,
communicate effectively and identify
the rights and responsibilities of others.
A major component of the Leadership
Course is active participation in a team
or community based project.
Participants are required to work in a
team to undertake a practical project
which benefits not only the team or
community, but also contributes to
their own skill development and
achievement.
To achieve the Certificate II in
Leadership Development participants
must successfully complete a total of 8
core units and 4 elective units. This
course is Centerlink approved.
Contact Karen on 9399 0689
SIONE IS A STUDENT
FROM KELMSCOTT
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ON
PLACEMENT WITH SMYL
INC
Hi my name is Sione Ashworth but my
mates call me Sam or Si-one and I am
a trainee here at the Champion Centre
every Wednesday.
Page 4
SIONE
I am a year 11 student at Kelmscott
Senior High School. My dad is part
Nyoongar originally from down south
with his parents growing up in the
missions and my mum is part Martu
from Wiluna up north. I was born here
in Perth, but raised with my brothers in
Wiluna with most of my family, but
moved back to Armadale in 2005 for a
better education.
Rugby is huge in my family, with me
and my brothers playing the sport all
our lives and even having the chance to
travel to the Gold Coast to play
Indigenous rugby for Lloyd McDermott.
My older brother Thomas recently got
picked to play U/20s for the Australian
Indigenous Rugby Union Team and is
travelling to play in the USA.
Being a trainee here at the Champion
Centre is a good and exciting
experience for me with new people to
meet and great every week, as well as
meeting family for the first time. This
also opens many business opportunities
for me in the future if wanting any job
in this field.
Since I’ve started my traineeship here 2
months
ago,
this
place
and
environment is so welcoming with my
colleagues feeling more like family to
me rather than work mates. I’ve learnt
so much not just about what to do
when
working
in
a
business
environment, but also more about my
culture and who my ancestors where.
What I do isn’t just sitting in front of
the computer and answering the
phone, but I sometimes help the ladies
with setting up programs for save the
children, help set up the family history
board and job guide board, help
Brenda with the family tree, go to the
city with Karina to help pick up
packages for the centre, go with the
boys’ program every fortnight for a
walk, learn the Nyoongar names of the
local animals, tell stories, painting and
throw the boomerang in the park, only
to name a few.
I enjoy being a trainee here because
besides
the
opportunities
and
experiences I get, this is a positive
environment with positive people to be
around with and get along with. I can
never get enough of the Champion
Centre.
OUR COMMUNITY
STORIES
NAIDOC Continued
Dance
Group
Mungart
Aboriginal Dance Group,
Yongah
National Aboriginal & Torres
Strait Islander Children's
Day
(NATSICD)
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Children's Day is the largest
national day to celebrate our children.
The day is celebrated across Australia
each year on 4 August. Children's
Day, and the week leading up to it, is
a time to for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander families to celebrate
the strengths and culture of their
children.
Petty Officer Sam Sheppard talked
about the reason for the theme,
Didjeridoo Jam by Morton Hansen,
Jeremy Garlett and Nigel Wilkes.
There was lots of main stage music
and entertainment throughout the day
with some great performances by the
Wadumbah Indigenous Dance Group,
Merindas and Jarred Wall.
The activity hubs for children and
youth were popular throughout the
day. Young children took part in a
variety of arts and craft activities and
enjoyed petting the visiting small farm
animals. There was also a very special
area, for our local Elders where they
were able to stay dry, relax and enjoy
the festivities.
The day is an opportunity for all
Australians to show their support for
Aboriginal children, as well as learn
about the crucial impact that
community, culture and family play in
the life of every Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander child. In 2014
Children's Day focussed on
celebrating the positive role culture
plays in children's safety and
wellbeing.
The day was also complimented with
50 service providers throughout the
hubs and in the services marquees
ranging from employment, health to
environmental landcare.
Page 5
This year the Champion Centre
celebrated the NATSICD theme of
Kids in Culture - Strong, Proud,
Resilient with its annual event on the
7th August inviting children and their
parents from various playgroups,
primary schools and the general
community to join in the fun with
children based activities run by local
service providers such as Polytechnic
West – Children Services,
Communicare - Communities for
Children, Sister Kate’s Home Kids
Aboriginal Corporation, Aboriginal
Health Council of Western Australia.
One hundred children from Westfield
Park and Groveland Primary Schools,
Coolabaroo Neighbourhood Centre,
Save the Children Playgroup and
various community children and 57
parents, teachers and staff also
enjoyed the varied workshops by
Reds Roving Australian Wildlife
Displays - understanding the
importance of protecting native
animals, Clontarf Foundation –
football clinics and Maar Koodjal
Dance Group - teaching and
performing traditional Noongar
cultural dance and stories. A fun day
was had by all.
The Champion Centre is a gathering place for Aboriginal people, and for agencies
working with Aboriginal families and communities...
We offer an inclusive neutral environment, promote healing of many groups within the local area,
reconciliation, build bridges for families, share knowledge and connect with the Armadale community
promoting hope and opportunities.
We are Aboriginal led, work in Aboriginal ways and welcome everyone.
Champion Centre Contact Details
76 Champion Drive, Seville Grove WA 6112
T: 9399 0820 | F: 9498 1966 | E: [email protected]
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 3pm
We welcome your articles and suggestions.