Mirrung NguWanjarri

Northern RiversCommunity Legal

Centre

Project ObjectivesConduct legal needs consultations within

5 Bundjalung communities

Provide a Women’s Outreach Solicitor to the Bundjalung Community

Present two workshops on family violence and legal related issues

Provide two workshops to Kyogle Young Women’s Group

Develop a Cultural Awareness training package

Issues Identified

Prior to Commencement 1. Consultations

Ongoing and constant consultation of Aboriginal Communities

Outcomes not reported back to communities

Getting community members to attend the consultations

Giving something back in return

Issues Identified

Prior to Commencement 2. Kyogle Young Women’s group

Support and Counselling needed to be incorporated into these sessions

School Counsellor was unable to meet the needs of the young women

Obtaining ongoing financial support from either a government

or community organisation

Successes to Date 1. Community Consultations

Decided to consult age/gender groups rather than entire communities

Adult WomenYoung Women

Young MenAdult men

Mixed Group

Successes to Date 1. Community Consultations

cont...

Adult Women’s Group

Lake Ainsworth Aboriginal Women’s Gathering

Ballina Women

Included a weekend of Women’s Healing and Spiritual Growth

Successes to Date 1. Community Consultations

cont...

Young Women’s Group

Aged 12-16 years

Young Men’s Group

Aged 12-16 years

Successes to Date 2. Women’s Outreach Solicitor

Cabbage Tree Island

Ballina

Kyogle

Successes to Date 3. Kyogle Young Women’s Group

Methodology –

Relaxation & Visualisation techniquesExplore a negative/distressing event

Review same event with a positive outcomeDevelop strategies to enable client to

achieve positive outcomeOutcome is to empower young person to

control or minimise the effects of the event, should it occur in the future

Successes to Date 3. Kyogle Young Women’s Group

Sessions supported by the Principal and provided at the school

Changes in participants behaviours

Have ongoing funding to continue groups till the end of the year

Child and Adolescent Counsellor attached to ongoing program

Successes to Date

4. Workshops on family violence and legal

related issues

With each consultation, information is being provided to participants

as it is required

The Principal Solicitor attends the Adult Consultation sessions and either provides

information as requested, or makes individual appointments

if required

Involvement in other Projects

NSW Legal Assistance Forum (NLAF)

Northern Rivers Civil Law Project

Identify and respond to civil law issues in Aboriginal Communities

Consultations currently occurring

Culturally appropriate resource, change in delivery service or support and training

Final Thoughts…

Give back to the community

Dangle the “Carrot”

Provide updates on outcomes

Pilot Programs are often considered as “Band-aid’s” and have little

respect within communities

Continue to provide a service even when numbers begin to dwindle

Involve as many people/services

as you can, more ideas = more success