We are a primary health and wellbeing organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people operating on the traditional lands of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples. We strive to provide a holistic model that responds to the physical, social emotional, Cultural and spiritual need of our people.
Stay Connected with us
We have moved away from bulk printing our newsletter, but we want to make sure everyone in our community stays informed. If you wish to receive the newsletter automatically, please contact Goolum Goolum at 5381 6333 or reception@goolumgoolum.org.au to be added to our digital list. If you don’t have an email we can post a copy to you. Support is available for anyone who needs help connecting online. March-April
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative respectfully acknowledges that our offices are based on unceded land of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawajali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples. We pay our respects to their ancestors, and to Elders, both past and present, and to the future Elders and caretakers of this land.
Welcome
Dalk
Lots happening in April with some great activities underway. I look forward to the GOYM activities and the community event.
Again we welcome some new faces into the Goolum team and I wish these people all the best as they find their way working with community. It is important we take the time out to make people feel welcome and to retain our sense of family as we grow bigger. Good to see the Elders and Sistas getting together and creating some deadly arts and crafts.
Congratulations to our young ones who are doing all sorts of amazing things including Archie Nikkelson and his CFA achievement award, John Clapham – appearing the Goolagong series, and Jordan Lockwood heading off to the Geelong Next Gen Footy Academy.
And to all the Donald Mob who excelled for the Donald Devils basketball teams.
Great to see our young people staying active and participating in healthy lifestyles.
The Easter hunt was a great event and thanks to the organisers and all the kids who found some Choccy Eggs!! Hope they were delicious.
Lots of other important information in this newsletter and importantly its time for the annual Flu jabs – please take advantage of our clinics as the Flu can make people very unwell. Our team is there to get you sorted. Take care – and lets not talk footy tipping!!
Board of Directors
Ants Craig - CEO
John Gorton Board Director
Lachlan Marks Board Director
Pamela Branson Board Director
Brandi Olston Board Director
Jake Goodes Chairperson
Kelly Britten Board Director
Archie Nikkelson – Achievement Award
On the weekend of 21st March, Archie and his team Warracknabeal CFA attended Victorian Fire Championships in Stawell. The Fire Championships are a statewide firefighting competition where volunteer brigades (30+Birgades) go head-to-head in simulated firefighting events, showcasing skill, teamwork, and speed. Archie and his team got – 3rd place in the Under 14’s Striking Second Disc Once with a time of 20.35. Archie, and his team also got 2nd place in the 4Y with an incredible time of 9.93. Special mention to Archie, who competed in 5 events and achieved podium finishes in two – an incredible effort!
EASTER HUNT
Group
A Trip to the Zoo
On Friday 10th April our Family Services Staff Tyra and Molly took Zarah, Izac, Ryder, and Braxton to the zoo as part of a mentoring activity. The children had the opportunity to see some native animals, and everyone had a great time. They also developed new friendships with one another throughout the day.
This April is ‘Get off ya Moom! Month. It’s your opportunity to get up and get moving! Get involved by scanning the QR code to register yourself and family for FREE. We’ll have challenges and activities for you to get involved in... and you receive a GoyM! pack. Let’s go!
New Staff Profiles
NICKNAME Sig, Siggy
PROGRAM AREA
ADLO
PLACE OF BIRTH Horsham
AFL TEAM St Kilda
NICKNAME: Lizzy / Liz
PRONOUNS: She/Her
PROGRAM AREA
Family Services Support Worker
PLACE OF BIRTH
Nhill, Victoria
AFL TEAM: Carlton
NICKNAME: Paits
PREFERRED NAME: Paityn
PRONOUNS: She/Her
PROGRAM AREA
Family Violence Case Practitioner
PLACE OF BIRTH Bairnsdale
PROGRAM AREA
IFS / FPR Case Practitioner
PLACE OF BIRTH Swan Hill
AFL TEAM Carlton Blues
FAVOURITE FOOD Seafood
FAVOURITE FOOD Pasta
MY SPORTS Love Walking
OTHER INTEREST
Cooking, Travel, Spending time with my 2 y/o daughter
FAVOURITE QUOTE
“It is what it is”
“Not my chickens, not my farm”
FAVOURITE FOOD
Creamy Chicken Carbonara
MY SPORTS: Gym
OTHER INTERESTS Napping and Snacking
AFL TEAM Richmond
FAVOURITE FOOD Mexican, Pasta
MY SPORTS: Running, Triathalons
OTHER INTERESTS
Studying Bachelor of Social Work final year
FAVOURITE QUOTE
“Always look on the bright side”
MY SPORTS Athletics, footy, running, netball
OTHER INTERESTS
Singing, dancing, animals, cheering at sports day
Sigrid Ellifson
Elizabeth Loveday
Paityn Chambers
Tamika Fraser
Elders Trivet Making
In February, our craft group created beautiful trivets for their pot plants. The ladies carefully sanded wooden blocks, glued four beads underneath to form the feet, and then painted and decorated each piece to suit their own style.
It has been wonderful seeing the creativity of our community lately! The finished trivets are now proudly displayed in their homes!
Congratulations John
John Clapham from Donald was recently a cast member in the upcoming series Goolagong. The series chronicles the life of Evonne Goolagong Cawley. John plays Kevin who is Evonne’s brother. The film was filmed and produced in Victoria. What an amazing achievement John, such a proud moment for you and your family.!!
Jordan’s Footy Dedication
In January Jordan Lockwood received an invitation to attend the GEELONG NEXT GENERATION FOOTBALL ACADEMY training session for a selection in the team. This event was for indigenous children only. Jordan had a training session in Horsham and 2 training sessions at the GMHBA stadium in Geelong. Jordan then received an email stating that he had been selected for the team. Jordan has first game on Monday 13th April.
Moving forward if Jordan does well in these games, he could be selected to move ahead and be part of the FLYING BOOMERANGS. This opportunity is also how other indigenous AFL players made their footy carers through these types of programs.
Jordan is very excited to be part of this program and happy to show off his footy skills on the field. Jordan is a very talented football player and has enjoyed every moment of it and will continue to give it his all as he always does.
We are very excited to see what his future holds for him from here on, but his family will be proud of his achievements either way. He is only 14yrs of age, so he has years left of opportunity lying ahead. Good luck to Jordan and all the best. Proud moment for the Lockwood family.
Basketball Stars
Donald Basketball Achievement Awards
Congratulations to our Donald Mob on achieving some great awards from the 2025/26 Donald Devils Basketball season.
Latoya Rayner - Under 12’s Coaches Award, Most Improved & U12’s Premiers
Kyetta Rayner - Under 12’s Coaches Award
Nullah Clapham - Men’s Coaches Award
Ethan Clapham - Men’s Premiers
Well done to all!
Chair Yoga!
Celebrating Sistas
Our Celebrating Sistas have enjoyed a wonderful couple of months filled with vibrant programs and plenty of laughter. We ventured out on Country to Halls Gap for a special day, sharing lunch together and visiting Brambuk. A fortnight later, we kept the fun going for Get Off Ya Moom Month with an 80s-themed chair yoga session—our Sistas certainly know how to have a laugh! Most recently, we celebrated Easter by creating colourful Easter baskets and enjoying a range of bright and cheerful craft activities.
Easter Craft!
Halls Gap Trip
Elders Easter Craft
Our craft ladies had a wonderful time creating lovely Easter wreaths to hang on their doors, along with some adorable little rabbit ornaments.
Healthy sleep habits for all our mob
Steps to your deep dreaming so you wake up feeling deadly
Following these tips can help improve your sleep. Remember to yarn with your GP if you are having sleep troubles.
Daytime things to help you sleep
Exercise regularly
Avoid caffeine, sugar, and smoking/vaping near bedtime
Eat healthy foods
No naps after 3pmTrack your sleep
Winding down in the evening
Avoid alcohol near bedtime
Use your bed only for sleep and intimacy
Keep a healthy sleep routine
Set your alarm
Getting ready for bed
Have a shower or bath
Create a sleep-friendly environment and block out light
If you can't fall asleep keep trying
It's normal to have difficulty falling or staying asleep every now and then. But see your GP if you are having ongoing trouble sleeping.
GET DRIVING WITH GOOLUM
Ready to get your L’s or P’s? Give us a call so we can help set you up for driving success!
‘Road to Solo Driving’ Guide
‘Guide for Learner’s’ Log Book
Support to access Learner's and Hazards testing
Lessons with a Qualified Driving Instructor
This activity is made available through Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way Community Initiative Fund
Maternal and Child Health
free pop in clinics every Thursday in May for babies and children from 6 months to 5 years old
get ready, its at Hamilton Street Medical Center with your MCH nurses
Flu and RSV can make babies and young children very sick, especially during the colder months. These illnesses can cause breathing problems and sometimes lead to hospital stays.
7 May 9-11am 14 May 2-4pm 21 May 9-11am 28 May 9-11am
Flu and RSV can make babies and young children very sick, especially during the colder months. These illnesses can cause breathing problems and sometimes lead to hospital stays.
Vaccination helps protect children while their immune systems are still growing, and also helps keep families and Elders safe.
Vaccination helps protect children while their immune systems are still growing, and also helps keep families and Elders safe.
Keeping children up to date with vaccines is one important way we can care for our kids and keep our community strong.
Keeping children up to date with vaccines is one important way we can care for our kids and keep our community strong.
if you can’t make these sessions please contact us on 0488138482 to make an appointment
have a chat to Jenny, Amy or Chelsea and we can answer any questions
0488138482
have a chat to Jenny, Amy or Chelsea and we can answer any questions
0488138482
Celebrating Success
Tracey Reaches New Heights!
We are thrilled to share some fantastic news with the community. Please join us in congratulating Tracey, has officially graduated with a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management.
Tracey’s achievement is a testament to her incredible dedication and the countless hours of hard work she poured into her studies. We have watched her balance her commitments and we couldn’t be prouder of her success.
But the journey doesn’t stop here! Tracey is currently moving through the final steps to become fully credentialled. Very soon, she will be available to see patients right here in our community, providing expert care and support for all their diabetes management needs.
We are so lucky to have your expertise and passion in our team.
Goolum
Goolum
Goolum Goolum
Social, Emotional Wellbeing and Therapeutic
Social,
Emotional Wellbeing and Therapeutic Services
Services
Youth mental health & brief interventions
Youth mental health & brief interventions
For young mob 12 - 25 years
Advocacy
Brief Intervention / Lifestyle support
Care & Recovery Coordination
Cultural and social connection
Ongoing assistance in day-today challenges
Referrals and assistance
accessing mental health services
Bringing Them Home Bringing Them Home
Available to all Community Support to complete Confirmation of Aboriginality (COA) applications and obtain COA Certificate Support to access Link-Up Help to research and understand family history
Social, Emotional & Wellbeing (SEWB)
Social, Emotional & Wellbeing (SEWB)
Advocacy
Assistance in day-to-day challenges
Cultural connection
Education and Employment pathway support
Housing and Homelessness advocacy
Improve emotional wellbeing
Social interaction
Supported referrals to other services
Support in addressing food insecurity
Support to access financial aid
Alcohol & Other Drugs program
For all mob over 16 years
Advocacy
Brief Intervention / Outreach
Alcohol & Other Drugs program
Care & Recovery Coordination
Comprehensive Assessments
Harm Minimisation / Treatment Plans
Therapeutic Counselling
Referrals and assistance
accessing other AOD services
Youth Buddies Youth Buddies
One-on-one support for those aged 12 - 18 years
Weekly or fortnightly catch ups
Help to set achievable goals
A safe space to talk about what’s going on in your life
Cultural and social connection
Referrals and assistance to access ongoing and/or intensive support services For
The holidays can be hard for many reasons and it’s di erent for everyone. If you or someone you know is not doing well, there are contacts and resources to access for help. Nothing is more powerful than giving each other a HAND UP, reaching out to each other and connecting with each other through this time. If you or someone you know is not doing well, there are contacts and resources to access for help. Nothing is more powerful than giving each other a HAND UP, reaching out to each other and connecting with each other through this time.
Horsham Psychiatry5362 1300 (Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm) 3 Robinson St,Horsham 1300 24447 647 (a er hours)
