Aboriginal-led family violence service launches in North Geelong

THE state government has worked with Aboriginal communities to establish a new, Aboriginal-led service to support people affected by family violence in the Wadawurrung Country area.

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward officially opened the Aboriginal Access Point Barwon service on Tuesday this week.

“It’s been wonderful to see the really incredible important work that is being done here, that inclusion of community, that strengthening and building of community has been so important,” Ms Ward said.

“Wathaurong are to be congratulated for this great work.”

Operated by the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, the service is staffed entirely by an Aboriginal workforce, providing culturally safe support for local Aboriginal families impacted by family violence.

Co-operative chief executive Simon Flagg welcomed the new service.

“Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative welcomes the investment into culturally safe support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our region,” Mr Flagg said.

“This service, alongside services that Wathaurong already provides with The Orange Door, will allow us to support our community who are experiencing or at risk of family violence.”

The service offers culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on Wathaurong, Gulidjan, and Gadabanud country, encompassing the Geelong, Bellarine, and Colac regions.

The state government has invested $2.6 million to create three Aboriginal-designed and led family violence services to complement The Orange Door Network.

“We are investing in needed Aboriginal-led family violence supports that are culturally safe and tailored to meet the needs of Aboriginal people,” Ms Ward said.

The Barwon service is the second Aboriginal Access Point in Victoria, with the first launched in the Bayside Peninsula area in July 2023.

The new service provides support through face-to-face contact points, phone and email, and outreach support for Aboriginal communities and groups.

Lara MP Ella George said it was important work.

“It is so fantastic to see a community-based organisation delivering these kind of services to their community.

“Wathaurong know their community best and they should be delivering these services. I am proud the government is getting behind them to support them with this.”

The service operates under the Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way strategy, a key Aboriginal-led Victorian Agreement aimed at strengthening the lives of Aboriginal people, families, and communities and ensuring they live free from family violence.

For more information about the Aboriginal Access Point Barwon service, head to wathaurong.org.au/community-strengthening-team