Where do you mob want to meet up? - City of Port Phillip · City of Port Phillip Urban South Gathering Place Report 2014-15 10 Improved Health . In a holistic sense, health is not

City of Port Phillip Urban South Gathering Place Report 2014-15 1

Where do you mob want to meet up?

A scoping report into Indigenous concepts of Gathering and Place in the Urban South / Southern Metropolitan region of Melbourne

Urban South Indigenous Gathering Place Report 2014-15



Acknowledgement of Country The City of Port Phillip respectively acknowledges the traditional owners of Yalukit Willam Clan of

the Boon Wurrung. We pay our respect to their elders past and present. We acknowledge and

uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

Council also acknowledges those who participated and contributed in consultations and members of

the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community who have shared their experiences and

stories.

Summary

This study explores the concept of ‘gathering’ by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in an

inner city environment and identifies the importance of partnership and shared goals in relation to

the advancement of health and wellbeing outcomes through integrated and culturally responsive

service settings.


Contents Acknowledgement of Country ............................................................................................................... 3

Definitions ............................................................................................................................................... 5

Yalukit Willam: The River People of Port Phillip .................................................................................... 6

The Gathering Context .......................................................................................................................... 6

Gathering, Place and Health Logic .......................................................................................................... 9

Gathering and the Southern Metropolitan Region ............................................................................... 10

Multiple Gathering Venue Model .......................................................................................................... 12

Research Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 13

Demographics ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Urban South Gathering ......................................................................................................................... 17

Examining the Inner Urban South ......................................................................................................... 19

Case Study 1: Our Rainbow Place ................................................................................................ 20

Case Study 2: Indigenous Mural at the Peanut Farm Sporting Pavilion ........................................ 21

Case Study 3: Access Health ATSI Food Bank ............................................................................. 22

Strategic Mapping of Urban South Gathering ....................................................................................... 23

What is needed to achieve gathering ................................................................................................... 25

What do the community value and benefit from? ................................................................................ 27

Stakeholder expectations ...................................................................................................................... 29

Recommendations and Discussion ....................................................................................................... 30


Definitions

Aboriginal – Used to refer to the first peoples of Australia (people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander). ATSI – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous – Used to refer to the Indigenous people of Australia Non-indigenous – Used to refer to the non-indigenous people of Australia CtHG – Close the Health Gap SMR – Southern Metropolitan Region ACCHO – Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation ACCO- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Nairm Marr Djambana – (Translation: Gathering by the Bay) Frankston Gathering Place Willum Warrain – (Translation: Home by the Sea) Hastings Gathering Place Mullum Mullum - Eastern Suburbs Gathering Place LGA – Local Government Area Urban South – Area comprising of the five LGA’s in the Urban South of Melbourne:

• CoPP - City of Port Phillip • CoS - City of Stonnington • GECC – Glen Eira City Council • BCC – Bayside City Council • KCC – Kingston City Council

USLIN – Urban South Local Indigenous Network Southern Metro Region – Area comprising of ten LGA’s in the southern metropolitan region of Melbourne

• CoPP - City of Port Phillip • CoS - City of Stonnington • GECC – Glen Eira City Council • BCC – Bayside City Council • KCC – Kingston City Council • CGD – City of Grater Dandenong • FCC – Frankston City Council • MPS – Mornington Peninsula Shire • CoC – City of Casey • CSC – Cardinia Shire Council


Yalukit Willam: The River People of Port Phillip

“Their form of government however is no burden to the state – the Chief governs, Priests advise,

Doctors and Enchanters cure, Warriors fight, but each and all gratis, equally applying for their daily

food” 1

Elder Judith “Jacko” Jackson with volunteers at the Wominjeka BBQ (Photo T.Condie)

The Gathering Context

The concept of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) community gathering for health is not a

new concept in the Southern Metropolitan Region (SMR) and has long been utilised as a formal tool

for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement by local community health organisations.

Programs such as the Wominjeka BBQ and Inner South Community Health Service Our Rainbow

Place (Est. 2000) in St Kilda have long been a place for community to get together over a meal and

thereby provide a point of engagement for friends, family, wider community and health services.

These gathering programs formalise these events into organised links between community and

services.

1 Yalukit Willam: The River People of Port Phillip, Meyer Eidelson


In recent years gathering initiatives have factored in national and state response initiatives aimed at

advancing the health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Key

initiatives advancing gathering as a setting for health promotion and culturally sensitive service

provision are closing the Health Gap 2009-13 and Koolin Balit 2012-22.

Closing the Health Gap 2009-13

The Victorian Government Department of Health Southern Metropolitan Closing the Health Gap

Plan 2009-132 prioritised Trial Gathering Places as a place based response addressing health

inequalities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Southern Metropolitan

Region (SMR).

Through Closing the Health Gap (CtHG), the development of gathering places in the SMR aimed to

complement existing local health service programs by encouraging ATSI leadership and culturally

sensitive health service delivery. The gathering place sought to establish physical spaces where ATSI

community networks could be formed and strengthened. The service model’s intent was to enable

members of the ATSI community to access a range of core services and referral pathways to other

services.

Program logic for gathering place trials was informed by the Southern Metropolitan Region needs

analysis which identified that:

• The ATSI population in some areas of SMR is growing much faster than in other regions

with significant increases in the Casey, Frankston and Mornington Peninsula

• Access to services was an issue as there was only one Aboriginal Community Controlled

Health Organisation (ACCHO) in the SMR that mainly serves three of the 10 LGAs in the

region (Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong). Additionally only one Aboriginal

Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) operated in the SMR.

• Lack of a primary health care organisation for ATSI community highlights a need for

mainstream services to be culturally safe competent and responsive.

In 2010 Close the Health Gap (CtHG) prioritised the development of four SMR gathering place sites

and the formation of community management structures to govern the trial sites. At the completion

of the CtHG strategy in 2013, two gathering places in Hastings and Frankston had been established

with a remaining two in Casey and the Urban South were in varying stages of progression.

2 Southern Metropolitan Closing the Health Gap Plan 2009–13


Koolin Balit: Victorian Government Strategic Directions for Aboriginal Health 2012-2022

Koolin Balit 2012-223 is the Victorian Government's strategic direction for Aboriginal health. The

strategy sets a framework for what the Department of Health, together with Aboriginal

communities, other parts of government and service providers, will do to make a significant and

measurable impact on improving the length and quality of the lives of Aboriginal Victorians.

Koolin Balit provides an opportunity to build upon CtHG gathering initiatives through an integrated,

whole of life framework based around a set of key priorities and enablers of Aboriginal health.

• A healthy start to life

• A healthy childhood

• A healthy transition to adulthood

• Caring for older people

• Addressing risk factors

• Managing illness better with effective health services.

The six priority areas will be steered by three key guiding concepts of:

• Improving data and evidence

• Strong Aboriginal organisations

• Cultural responsiveness

3 Koolin Balit: Victorian Government Strategic Directions for Aboriginal Health 2012-2022


Gathering, Place and Health Logic

From a health logic perspective gathering aims to advance health and wellbeing outcomes through

the establishment and utilisation of culturally sensitive settings that encourage ATSI people’s active

participation and determination of community life.

Figure 1 Gathering, Place and Health Logic

Community Gathering

The concept of gathering in ATSI communities is best described as community coming together for a

shared reason. That shared reason may include retaining and practising culture, socialising, sport and

recreation, celebration, men’s business, women’s business, sorry business or simply to have a feed.

Gathering describes the way in which ATSI community comes together and interacts for a common

cause.

Culturally Sensitive Places

In Indigenous communities, culturally sensitive places are essential in fostering trust and belonging.

Culturally sensitive places can nurture pathways and linkages to services and supports through the

generation of trusting relationships which make referrals and connections easier. Having such

dedicated places for Aboriginal people strengthens cultural identity and offers greater visibility within

the broader mainstream community. Culturally sensitive places will become settings for people to

meet new people, and reconnect with old friends and family. Through this process networks form

and often extend beyond the physical setting.

Improved Health

Culturally Sensitive

Place

Community Gathering


Improved Health

In a holistic sense, health is not just the absence of disease but a state of complete physical, mental

and social well-being4. The concept of gathering in a health context looks at utilising the way

community comes together as a mechanism for advancing health outcomes and service delivery.

Through supporting gathering the focus shifts from the absence of disease to community ownership

over the physical, mental and social aspects of their health and wellbeing. Health outcomes are

encouraged through integrated services and support, trust and engagement.

Gathering and the Southern Metropolitan Region

Through Close the Gap, four areas in the SMR were identified to trial gathering place models. The

local government areas of Mornington Peninsular Shire, Frankston and Casey focused upon single

venue gathering place initiatives at Hastings (Willum Warrain), Frankston (Nairm Marr Djambana)

and Cranbourne. In contrast, the Urban South, (the subject of this study and incorporating cities of

Port Phillip, Stonnington, Glen Eira, Bayside and Kingston), looked at options for gathering with a

focus on the suburb of St Kilda.

Over the strategy period, two of the four Close the Gap gathering initiatives, Willum Warrain

(Hastings) and Nairm Marr Djambana (Frankston) established community governance committees

resulting in single venue gathering places being established and operational. The core objectives of

these sites were to:

1. Create a community-managed space for ATSI people

2. Provide a link between ATSI people and mainstream health services delivery as directed by

CtHG

Single venue “Gathering Place” models

Gathering place venues at Hastings (Willum Warrain) and Frankston (Nairm Marr Djambana) were

established within single LGA areas each having experienced significant growth in ATSI population.5

The gathering places were established on the premise that, despite mainstream health service

programs being available through mainstream settings, there was significant concern that ATSI

community were not accessing health care. Local estimates suggested at the time that less than 30 %

of the local ATSI population were accessing medical services5.

4 Constitution of the World Health Organization. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1948 5 Closing The Gap In Aboriginal Health Outcomes Initiative, Case Study Report, January 2014


Additionally the report further recommended.5

• A substantial need to assist local Aboriginal people to access health care existed.

• ATSI community were not well informed of the health services available and or were

reluctant to access them.

• The absence of a friendly place for the local community to access programs and activities.

• Limited opportunities to facilitate links between ATSI community and health services.

• The need for cultural appropriate service entry points to be established.

Figure 2 Single Venue Model


Multiple Gathering Venue Model

Unlike the single LGA gathering models explored by the City of Frankston, City of Casey and the

Mornington Peninsular Shire, the Urban South region, consists of five LGA’s each with a differing

approach to ATSI policy.

Preliminary planning for the Urban South Gathering Place began in 2012 and was pursued through

collaboration between City of Port Phillip and the Urban South Local Indigenous Network (USLIN).

A number of challenges emerged from the process to establish a single venue gathering place

prompting consideration around the value of a different model for ATSI gathering for the Urban

South. Key factors were

• City of Port Phillip, Inner South Community Health & the Salvation Army Access Health

have long standing commitments to reconciliation and ongoing investments in Aboriginal

policy, advocacy, health and cultural programming.

• City of Port Phillip and delegates of the USLIN met on a number of occasions to progress

gathering opportunities and ATSI leadership

• Significant ATSI gathering initiatives already occurred in the Urban South region and across

multiple sites predominantly in the Port Phillip area.

• The limited availability to an accessible stand-alone single venue setting in the inner urban

setting

• The Urban South ATSI population is unique with a diverse range of capacity and skills which

encouraged both formal and informal leadership however there remained a limited capacity

to establish an independent governance committee. While no formal ATSI community

leadership group existed, the implementation of existing gathering is reliant on ATSI

community leadership and input.

• LGA’s and community and health agencies across the Urban South differed in their approach

to ATSI policy and issues.

o The City of Port Phillip, having the only designated Indigenous Policy Officer, and

was the only LGA to be regularly represented in Gathering Place discussions

through regular attendance on the USLIN.

o Inner South Community Health having a designated space for Indigenous programs

and ATSI specific programs providing a range of services and supports


A Department of Health funded Indigenous Gathering Place Officer was employed by the City of

Port Phillip to further research and scope the project whilst additionally generating activities and

sustainable gathering initiatives.

Research Methodology

The intent of this study was to • Explore the concept of a gathering place in an inner city environment.

• Provides analysis of demographic trends in the LIN area including if possible transient and

resident populations.

• Identify existing gathering opportunities and provides insight into gaps.

• Considers options with regards to working with established indigenous programs in meeting

gathering place aspirations

• Establish short and longer term goals in relation to contemporary gathering, and the

advancement of cultural activity, language, dance, relationships with traditional owners.

To achieve this the • Research of influential national, state and local policies that generate health and wellbeing

outcomes through gathering and place.

• Site visits to existing gathering settings and interviews with key people who have influenced

the development and operation of gathering places in the SMR

• Interviews with ATSI service providers in the Urban South

• Interviews/survey with ATSI community members currently attending services and ATSI

gathering opportunities.

• Review of City of Port Phillip Community Centres & Venues for Hire modelling in relation

to supporting

• Interim reporting back to Department of Health and human Services

• Gathering/event trials through identified venues and settings

• Regular reporting back through the USLIN


Demographics

Urban South ATSI Population (ABS 2011).

The Urban South has a combined ATSI population of 12246 and has seen relatively static growth in all five LGAs from 2001-2011. In comparison to the wider Southern Metropolitan Region which has experienced large pockets of growth in the Casey, Frankston and Mornington Peninsula areas from 2001-2011.

Figure 3 Urban South Population spread

6 ABS Port Phillip (LGA25900) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS Bayside (LGA20910) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS Stonnington (LGA26350) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS Glen Eira (LGA22310) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS Kingston (LGA23430) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile


Selected Medians and Averages (ABS 2011)

Figure 4. Median age, 2. Rent, 3. Average household size, and 4. Percentage of ATSI total dwellings of area in State Housing authority7.

Figure 4 - Selected Medians and Averages

ATSI Victorian Median

ATSI Australia Median

1. Median Age 22 21

2. Median Weekly rent $200 $195

3. Average Household Size 3 3.3

4. Percentage of total ATSI Dwellings of area in State Housing Authority

17.55% 21.53%

7 ABS Port Phillip (LGA25900) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS Bayside (LGA20910) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS Stonnington (LGA26350) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS Glen Eira (LGA22310) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS Kingston (LGA23430) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS 2011 Victoria (2) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile ABS 2011 Australia (0) 2011 Census Population and housing :ATSI peoples (Indigenous) profile

CoPP

1.

33

2. $284

3. 1.9 4. 20.77%

CoS

1.

30

2. $380 3. 2.4 4. 7.6%

GECC

1.

34

2. $326

3. 2.8

4. 5.6%

KCC

1

26

2. $270

3. 2.8

4. 13%

BCC

1.

34

2. $340

3. 2.5

4. 18.82%


Qualitative data

Accurate statistical representation of the Urban South demographic can be problematic as

population numbers alone are insufficient to clearly identify needs and trends. With this in mind,

further consultation with health service providers and ATSI community involved in current gathering

programs in the Urban South identify the following emerging themes.

• Need for accurate data

• A complex high needs demographic identified in CoPP

• Transient population

Accurate data

• ABS data, taken at 5 year intervals, does not paint an accurate picture at a local level

of who the ATSI community is and what their needs are.

• Low identification rates in ATSI community coupled with factors of social isolation,

and transient population are problematic to evidence-based planning.

Complex high needs: Ageing & Isolated population in the CoPP

• There is a high amount of ATSI HACC clients identified with high needs in Port

Phillip West.8

Through interviews with ATSI health service workers the following trends in client accessing

services were identified:

• Existing ATSI programs in the CoPP highlight significant mobility issues and complex

health problems in physically connecting ATSI clients to services.

• Existing ATSI programs in the CoPP pick up a demographic of older ATSI clients

from state and public housing who are more likely to live alone.

Data and service provider feedback indicates that the CoPP ATSI demographic goes against the

national trends of an average younger population in larger families and illustrates an older

demographic who are more likely to live alone.

A Transient Population

• In Urban South areas are more densely populated with a higher average weekly

rental. As the area has a higher number of rooming houses and crisis

8 ISEPiCH Population Health Atlas Planning Resource: May 2013


accommodation, ATSI service providers have become accustomed to an ATSI

population that frequently move residence in, out and around the local area.

Urban South Gathering

The Urban South has many existing long term gathering programs established in the Port Phillip

region. Figure 5 below demonstrates the location and frequency of current programs. ATSI gathering

programs operate on a weekly-fortnightly, monthly and annual basis.

Figure 5 - the location and frequency of current programs


Inner Urban South Programs

Frequent 1-2 Weekly

• ISCH Wominjeka BBQ at Veg out Community gardens (CoPP)

• Our Rainbow Place , ISCH at Mitford St (CoPP)

• The Salvation Army Access Health ATSI Food Bank at Peanut Farm Pavilion (CoPP)

Figure 6 - Inner Urban South Programs

Monthly Programs

ISCH ATSI Youth programs

ISCH Koori Women’s Group

ISCH Elders group

Urban South LIN

Annual Gathering programs engaging ATSI community

Arts and Festivals: Yalukit festival (CoPP), Bubup Festival (Stonnington) NAIDOC Week (US region), Reconciliation Week (US region)

Kingston Koori Mob: Annual Sea Country Boat Trip


As demonstrated in Figure 5 & 6 current ATSI gathering programs occur across the Urban South

region with Annual cultural celebrations for significant dates and events such as Reconciliation Week

and NAIDOC Week a common theme in all LGA areas, however frequent Monthly, Fortnightly &

Weekly activities are restricted to the CoPP and CoS local government areas. These more frequent

programs represent ATSI community engagement programs with a stronger focus on Health and

Wellbeing and partnerships at LGA’s, community health service providers and at an ATSI community

level.

In Figure 6 ATSI gathering programs are observed to correspond with the areas where agency

commitment has driven the development of Indigenous services. There is also an observed alignment

to areas where strategy and policy work of the local government may be considered strong.

Examining the Inner Urban South

For the purposes of this report a closer examination of gathering in the City of Port Phillip will be

presented. It is proposed that a closer look at the in inner urban south may provide insights into a

model for gathering in the inner urban context.


Case Study 1: Our Rainbow Place

Boon Wurrung Elder Carolyn Briggs launches Our Rainbow Place at Mitford Street (Photo:

T.Condie)

Our Rainbow Place (est. 2003) is a fortnightly drop in meal held each second Thursday at the

Mitford Street cottage located at Inner South Community Health in St Kilda.

The program provides a series of community meals each year that are delivered by ATSI community

volunteers facilitated by ISCH.

Our Rainbow Place provides a health service entry point for ATSI community as well as a place for

social inclusion and connection. The end product is a fortnightly lunch attended by 30-40 ATSI

community members on average delivered by ATSI community and volunteers that has been

successfully running for over ten years.

The service encourages ATSI community involvement and ownership in the planning, management

and delivery of the program while supporting skills development and capacity of ATSI community.


Case Study 2: Indigenous Mural at the Peanut Farm Sporting Pavilion

Peanut Farm Pavilion Indigenous Mural, Artist: Adnate. (Photo D.Carter)

The City of Port Phillip installed the Peanut Farm Indigenous Mural in 2014 as a visual

acknowledgement of the organisation’s commitment to supporting ATSI community gathering.

The mural itself celebrates the venue’s strong connection and commitment to indigenous sport as

led by the St Kilda City Saint’s local football club and Indigenous community. The mural depicts Bunjil

(the Creator) and two local Aboriginal children involved at the football club. The decision to install

the mural came from consultation with the US LIN which highlighted the Peanut Farm Pavilion as a

venue local ATSI community identified with. The venue was considered culturally appropriate and

highly accessible within a precinct of other local ATSI frequented venues.

Initially the mural provided the Peanut Farm Pavilion with a visual branding that ATSI community are

welcome and celebrated. The space has since been utilised for a number of additional program

opportunities including the ATSI Food bank programs, USLIN monthly meetings, NAIDOC week

activities and other significant ATSI community events.


Case Study 3: Access Health ATSI Food Bank

The Access Health Food Bank was established in 2014 through a partnership between The Salvation

Army Access Health and the City of Port Philip in response to food security issues arising in the

local ATSI community.

Food security was identified as an issue of concern for the local ATSI community and is reflected in

the CoPP RAP as a focus area to act on. The LIN identified that low socioeconomic pockets of the

ATSI community would often eat poorly or not at all towards the end of fortnightly pension

payments. In response a Food Bank to supply fresh fruit and vegetables on the alternating weeks to

pension payments was established to improve health and wellbeing of ATSI community.

The program was driven by the Salvation Army Access Health First Peoples worker with help from

volunteers and the Department of Health funded Gathering Place Research worker sourcing the

venue at the Peanut Farm Pavilion and ongoing resources. The service on average is attended by 10-

20 local ATSI community per fortnight and Access Health have additionally linked in the services of

an outreach nurse and doctor for consultations and referrals providing an entry point to health

services that otherwise would not have been accessed.

The Food Bank, as part of an extended outreach program, now provides the platform for additional services and support such as:

• Health service referrals • Cooking classes • Assistance accessing computers for job searching and education enrolment • A need for basic sanitary items such as: toothbrushes and toilet paper


Strategic Mapping of Urban South Gathering

In contrast to neighbouring regions in the SMR, where a single venue gathering place model has been

utilised, the Urban South stakeholders have developed working partnerships that cater for the

complex needs of the ATSI community across multiple service and community settings.

Figure 7 - Urban South Stakeholders

Local Government

ATSI Community

Community Health

State Government


A Model for Gathering in the City of Port Phillip

Figure 8 City of Port Phillip Gathering Strategy Map


What is needed to achieve gathering

At a strategic and policy level a number of key themes that have emerged from this research that are considered fundamental to gathering.

Figure 9 - What is needed to achieve gathering

Cultural responsiveness

Gathering programs in the CoPP benefit from a culturally responsive and consultative service sector that seeks guidance from the Traditional Owners (the Boon Wurrung Foundation) on all relevant issues. This approach ensures that the cultural and social needs of ATSI community are met by a culturally responsive sector.

Strong Partnerships

In the City of Port Phillip strong stakeholder partnerships which contribute to overall gathering outcomes are achieved through:

• Broad sector/stakeholder participation in the Local Indigenous Network provides a platform for planning and partnerships between service providers and community.

• The establishment of the Koolin Balit working group provides a platform for co-ordination and planning between service providers.

• Three years ongoing implementation of the City of Port Phillip Reconciliation. • Accessibility and opportunities provided by the Community Grants and Community Facilities

at CoPP. • A long term commitment by local health service providers to service delivery, inclusive

planning and utilising community leadership.

Skilled Professionals

• In the absence of a formal ATSI community group governing gathering programs (as identified in stand-alone gathering facilities), investment in skilled professionals at stakeholder and community level has been the key to facilitating gathering.


• Across the Port Phillip Council and the ATSI service sector there is an investment into skilled professionals that complements each other’s work and delivers partnered outcomes to community.

Shared Vision

In the City of Port Phillip a shared vision across local government, service providers and ATSI community is currently achieved through:

• Strategy and Policy: RAP, Koolin Balit set target areas and co-ordinated stakeholders work together to achieve shared outcomes across themes of reconciliation and ATSI health.

• Working groups and networks which have assisted in establishing a co-ordinated sector that works together to complement services with minimal overlap across the sector.

• The City of Port Phillip has made a formal commitment to ATSI employment as outlined in the RAP.

• City of Port Phillip employs an Indigenous Policy Officer who is responsible for the implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan

• Inner South Community Health employs 6 ATSI staff as part of an Indigenous Access team to facilitate ATSI engagement programs and support access to a broad range of health services targeted at elders, women’s, families and youth.

• The Salvation Army: Access health employs an Indigenous Liaison Officer to facilitate outreach programs and access to health services to at risk community groups.

• Koolin Balit. • The Department of Health employed a Gathering Place Research worker to research and

scope existing Gathering in the Urban South.

Long Term goal

A long term commitment for future and sustained gathering investments are recommended across all stakeholders at local/state government, service providers and ATSI community.

A subcommittee of the Urban South LIN was established as a working group to further development of the Urban South Gathering Place concept; two key themes emerged as long term goals:

• Sustained programs that continued to meet the needs of ATSI community. • Continuing to advocate for sustainable gathering and health and well-being opportunities for

ATSI people. This should include gathering at a variety of settings and include the aspiration of influencing the future development of settings that foster social, cultural, health and wellbeing of ATSI people.

Training and Development

Stakeholders invest in ongoing training and development of their organisation to ensure ongoing respectful relationship with ATSI community exists through regular cultural safety workshops and inductions for new staff.

• The City of Port Phillip provides an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols Framework for its staff as a guide conducting business with local ATSI community.

• The City of Port Phillip sponsors an annual Indigenous cadetship/trainee providing an experiential learning and skills development opportunities for ATSI candidates.


• Community Health services (such as ISCH and Salvation Army) provide cultural awareness training to staff to ensure they are best equipped to work with ATSI community.

• Working groups and networks are settings for cross organisational support, skill sharing and informal mentoring.

• Additionally at an ATSI community level, local leaders contribute as volunteers, which have been a key resource to delivering Gathering programs.

• The Urban South Koolin Balit Co-ordinator established an Indigenous employee training fund for the region.

Ongoing Investment

The long term commitment from all stakeholders towards a sustainable Gathering Place model, including staff, programs, resources and volunteers.

• The CoPP invest in the long term planning, evaluation and renewal of its Reconciliation Action Plan 2012-2015.

• Koolin Balit the Victorian Government’s strategic direction for Aboriginal health 2012-2022 provides ongoing consultation and direction for the ATSI health sector.

ISCH has a significant investment across staff and programs working in the ATSI health sector with long term commitments to programs that advance healthy outcomes for ATSI people. Further investment is required to ensure these programs continue – the majority of which are not funded recurrently.

Commitment to Reconciliation

The City of Port Phillip has a commitment to Reconciliation through the reconciliation Action Plan. This plan which delivers Council’s commitments to the national reconciliation movement through the themes of Relationships, Respect and Opportunities

What do the community value and benefit from?

Identified Model

Through this study it has been identified that a model of gathering has emerged in the CoPP. This model has been perpetuated through partnerships at local government, community health services and local ATSI community that deliver culturally responsive gathering programs across multiple venues in the CoPP.


Figure 10 - What do the community value and benefit from?

How does the Identified Model work?

Through this study it is evident that a model of gathering has developed in the CoPP that differs from other neighbouring Gathering Place models but achieves the same health and wellbeing outcomes.

This model presents integrated planning opportunities across all stakeholders in the sector resulting in a model of gathering that is responsive to the needs of ATSI community and capable of delivering community gathering across multiple sites.

Community gathering opportunities provide for key service and cultural outcomes as identified in Figure 10:

• Self determination • Arts • Learning • Health • Social • Ownership • Reconciliation • Recreation • Cultural • Leadership


Stakeholder expectations

Figure 11 Stakeholder expectations

Overarching Policy

The gathering model across ATSI partnerships in Port Phillip has been driven by a shared commitment to reconciliation and meeting the priorities for Indigenous health and Koolin Balit. In figure 7, key stakeholders are broadly represented through local government, ATSI community, community health and state government. The collective ideal being sustained programs, social connection empowerment and health benefits. These outcomes expand into the goals and targets of Koolin Balit,

Reconciliation Action Plan

In 2012 the City of Port Phillip implemented a Reconciliation Action Plan 2012 -2015 directing the council’s work in advancing reconciliation with the ATSI community

Additionally the CoPP RAP has provided opportunities across different LGA departments through building service provider partnerships and funding deeds, community grants and subsidised access to community facilities.

Koolin Balit

The overarching State Government ATSI health strategy provides the goals and target areas for Gathering programs to align programs.

1. A healthy start to life

2. A healthy childhood

3. A healthy transition to adulthood

4. Caring for older people


5. Addressing risk factors

6. Managing illness better with effective health services

Recommendations and Discussion

Three areas of recommendation for ongoing gathering and gathering place planning have emerged from this study.

• Acknowledgement of success of the current model and value of the sector’s ongoing investment in advancing health outcomes through gathering.

• Adoption of a multi venue gathering model but with the aspiration to identify and advance opportunity for ATSI designated settings and programs.

• Continued partnership commitment.

Acknowledgement of success of the current model and value of the sector’s ongoing investment in advancing health outcomes through gathering.

It is recommended that the described gathering model in operation be acknowledged as successful in:

• The support and fostering of gathering • Delivering programs to ATSI community across multiple venues. • The development and maintenance of strong partnerships that continue to deliver programs

and actions such as; Sorry Business, ISCH Our Rainbow Place, ISCH Wominjeka BBQ, Access Health ATSI Food Bank, the ISCH Koori Women’s Group, the ISCH Elders group and ISCH Koori Youth Services.

To maintain and progress gathering it is recommended consideration for

• Recognition of the need to facilitate the model of gathering in order to maintain and support stakeholders and ATSI community in developing and delivering programs across multiple venues.

• Funding for ongoing and sustained gathering place programs. • To continue to develop community capacity in leadership and governance to contribute and

oversee gathering programs independently. • A stronger focus on engagement/gathering outside the CoPP region in the Urban South to

reach ATSI population in CoS, BCC, KCC and GECC.

Adoption of a multi venue gathering model but with the aspiration to identify and advance opportunity for ATSI designated settings and programs.

The long term goal of a dedicated setting may take years to establish, therefore it is recommended stakeholders continue to value and grow the multi venue gathering model to support gathering programs which include:


• Continued provision of subsidised / in kind gathering venues from local government and relevant community agencies on a needs basis to assist programs that support ATSI gathering and ATSI health and wellbeing outcomes.

• Continued support of established programs at ISCH Our Rainbow Place, ISCH Wominjeka BBQ and Access Health ATSI Food Bank as stakeholders at their respected venues.

Continued partnership commitment.

In the Urban South, partnerships and programs have been formed and provide a platform to lead

collaborative service development and community involvement. It is recommended that stakeholders

continue to maintain this platform through the continued investment into formal networks, working

groups and informal community gathering.

These partnerships will be further assisted through:

• The role of the Indigenous Policy officer at CoPP to facilitate Council’s commitment to

Reconciliation and the engagement and support of the ATSI community and services. This role is

essential in maintaining a platform of collaboration between government, services and the ATSI

community and the development of gathering place programs.

• The support of CoPP Sport and Recreation and Community facilities teams in facilitating ATSI

community’s integration into gathering settings and venues with a targeted focus upon the

Peanut Farm.

• Continued commitment of the Department of Health to the Koolin Balit strategy insuring the

co-ordination and delivery of local health services in the Urban South region.

• The continuance of an Urban South Gathering Place Working group to further Gathering Place

objectives. The working group should be expanded to include input from additional stakeholders

such as CoPP Sport and Recreation department and community organisation stakeholders.

• The continued commitment to cross sector membership of the USLIN to provide a co-

ordinated area across LGAs, service providers and ATSI community.

• The continued support of significant gathering programs such as the ISCH Wominjeka BBQ and

Our Rainbow Place

• The continued support of Department of Health for existing programs at ISCH and The

Salvation Army, such as Access Health ATSI outreach programs which provide an informal

platform of community involvement, participation and partnership through programs like the

Peanut farm Food Bank.


References

1. Meyer Eidelson: Yalukit Willam: The River People of Port Phillip, Published by the City of Port

Phillip, 2014

2. Southern Metropolitan Closing the Health Gap Plan 2009–13, Published by the Aboriginal Health

Branch, Victorian, State of Victoria, Department of Health, 2011. Viewed 23/02/2015 at:

<http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/A748226A3F389B03CA25784500824865/$FILE/southern-

metro.pdf>

3. Koolin Balit: Victorian Government Strategic Directions for Aboriginal Health 2012-2022

State of Victoria, Department of Health 2012 Authorised and published by the Victorian

Government, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. May 2012. Second printing July 2013. (1307014) Viewed

23/02/2015 at:

<http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/6430F2F47068726DCA2579FF00019833/$FILE/1307014_koo

lin_balit_jul13_WEB.pdf >

4. Constitution of the World Health Organization. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1948

5. Closing The Gap In Aboriginal Health Outcomes Initiative, Case Study Report, January 2014. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/5D633D5F19E78950CA257C84000474D3/$FILE/Final_case_study_report.pdf> 6. Australian Bureau of Statistics Port Phillip (LGA25900) 2011 Census Population and housing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA25900>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Bayside (LGA20910) 2011 Census Population and housing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA20910>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Stonnington (LGA26350) 2011 Census Population and

housing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA26350>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Glen Eira (LGA22310) 2011 Census Population and housing:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at:

http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/A748226A3F389B03CA25784500824865/$FILE/southern-metro.pdf

http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/A748226A3F389B03CA25784500824865/$FILE/southern-metro.pdf

http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/6430F2F47068726DCA2579FF00019833/$FILE/1307014_koolin_balit_jul13_WEB.pdf

http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/6430F2F47068726DCA2579FF00019833/$FILE/1307014_koolin_balit_jul13_WEB.pdf

http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/5D633D5F19E78950CA257C84000474D3/$FILE/Final_case_study_report.pdf

http://docs.health.vic.gov.au/docs/doc/5D633D5F19E78950CA257C84000474D3/$FILE/Final_case_study_report.pdf


<http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA22310>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Kingston (LGA23430) 2011 Census Population and housing.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA23430>

7. Australian Bureau of Statistics Port Phillip (LGA25900) 2011 Census Population and housing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA25900>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Bayside (LGA20910) 2011 Census Population and housing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA20910>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Stonnington (LGA26350) 2011 Census Population and

housing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA26350>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Glen Eira (LGA22310) 2011 Census Population and housing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA22310>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Kingston (LGA23430) 2011 Census Population and housing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/LGA23430>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Victoria (2) 2011 Census Population and housing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/2?opendocument&navpos=220>

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Australia (0) 2011 Census Population and housing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Indigenous) Profile. Viewed 23/02/2015 at: <http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/0?opendocument&navpos=230>

8. ISEPICH Population Health Atlas Planning Resource: May 2013

Documents

Where do you mob want to meet up? - City of Port Phillip · City of Port Phillip Urban South Gathering Place Report 2014-15 10 Improved Health . In a holistic sense, health is not