A FIRST-hand digital history of Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative is now accessible to the broader community.<\/p>\n
As part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, BADAC filmed the storytelling of their founding elders, and younger community members, and have curated images and information, to share the organisation\u2019s moments of strength and triumph, challenge, resilience and determination.<\/p>\n
Viewable online, the project features at least 15 speakers, and also explores local First Nations activists, the trauma of the Stolen Generations and the involvement of Ballarat\u2019s orphanages.<\/p>\n
It has been funded by a $15,000 State Government Local History Grant.<\/p>\n
BADAC CEO Karen Heap said it\u2019s been crucial to tell their stories now, as the community is ageing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have lost some elders in the past few years. We didn\u2019t want to continue not getting the history down. We wanted to talk with that group about what this organisation is all about,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of Aboriginal people come into Ballarat not really knowing the history of this organisation and the history of the people, so it\u2019s important to get it out there because it\u2019s a really positive story.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re tired of the negativity around Aboriginal affairs. We need some positive, good stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
BADAC chief operating officer Jon Kanoa said meaningful cultural stories often pass with communities\u2019 elders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to capture as many of those stories as we can, especially for our younger generations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat is a really transient community. A lot of people fly in, fly out, but they need to know the history of our organisation that hasn\u2019t only been a health service, but has been about health, welfare and justice for over 40 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people have worked here, or been a member of the community, so they need to know where our roots come from as an organisation, from the Stolen Generation, to how we help out the non-Aboriginal community too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said BADAC\u2019s history is key thread in the Ballarat tapestry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese stories will inspire our community and promote a better understanding of Aboriginal culture and history,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said BADAC has been celebrating and supporting the region\u2019s First Nations peoples since 1979.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis grant means all of us can share the stories and journey of BADAC and our first people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n