Partners In Recovery (PIR) – North Stradbroke Island

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Gallang Place recently invited eight Partners In Recovery (PIR) participants to attend a three-day cultural camp on Minjerrabah, North Stradbroke Island.

The camp, held in May 2017, connected participants with the country to increase social and community participation through cultural activities. Participants had the rare opportunity to engage with 2017 NAIDOC award-winning Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders who happily shared their Quandamooka culture and traditions at Terra Bulla, the Old Aboriginal Mission.

Traditional land owner Mathew Burns delivered an artefact and cultural talk on the hidden yet very well-documented histories of Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) and Moorgumpin (Moreton Island). The group also went on the Gorriemooka 4WD Tour with traditional land owner Brian Coghill across the island to appreciate the natural flora and fauna plus the Aboriginal connection to land and sea.

Participants also learnt how to make fire, weave grass skirts, fillet mullet fish and prepare traditional food.

 Feedback from participants was amazing. Here is what a few had to say:

“They have all helped me have an understanding about other cultures, and [it] was good to get away and enjoy what others loved to do. The birds’ singing helped me with my healing or so I believe.”

“Thank you for all your help and support. Thanks for understanding and the time your staff has helped our group to enjoy something new. I had a great time and would like to do it again. Thank you for asking me to join your group, I will never forget the great time [we had].”

“I liked the first activity the most ’cause we sat down as a group and listened to the Elders, and you could hear in their voices what the land/place of home meant to them and their people.”

Gallang Place Open Day

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Gallang Place Launches a New Cultural and Healing Hub

Gallang Place has provided culturally appropriate counselling and healing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in South East Queensland for 20 years.  After 17 years in their old Queenslander in West End they are now setting up a new Community Hub in Cannon Hill.

Noeleen Lopes, Gallang Place’s CEO said:

 “This is more than just an exciting new office, it’s a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations can share their ideas, culture and deliver programs to educate, support and heal our communities.”

This Community Hub will accommodate:

  • Culturally sensitive healing and counselling support services for families and individuals
  • A support team focussed on Indigenous youth at risk
  • Service teams to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with persistent and severe mental health problems
  • Culturally sensitive counsellor training programs
  • BlackCard delivers Cultural Education and Training Workshops
  • Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
  • Meeting and training rooms

Mundanara Bayles, CEO of BlackCard, added:

“This is a great new space that not only lets us work closely with other like-minded organisations, but gives our Elders a base to build community networks and supports.”

Marja Elizabeth, CEO of Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service, added:

“We are fortunate and happy to be working in partnership with Gallang in providing legal and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. The new facility demonstrates how Indigenous organisations from different sectors can work together collaboratively for the benefit of the community.”

The Hub is at 57 Southgate Ave, Cannon Hill and will hold an ‘open house’ Friday 4 July from 9:30 with the official launch at 10:00 am.

BlackCard – Gallang Place Report Launch

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Research Report Launch

Funded by Greater Metro South Brisbane Medicare Local BlackCard and Gallang Place undertook a research project into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health services in Brisbane South. The project consulted with Elders and community members to find ways of improving services to the community.

The launch was held at the QAIHC Offices in South Brisbane on June 4 2014 and was well attended by Elders, community members and a large number of representatives of NGOs and agencies involved in delivering mental health services.

Mundanar Bales, Managing Director of BlackCard said:

“This report will provide a cultural blueprint for everyone delivering any health or support services to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people – it’s a ‘must read'”

She went on to say:

“What makes this report unique is that it examines community issues from an ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Frame of Reference.”

BlackCard and Gallang Place praised their insight and support of Greater Metro South Brisbane Medicare Local for making this research possible.

Read the report