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Jingi Wala
Hello and welcome to Ngunya Jarjum's January newsletter. We look forward to working with you mob during 2023 and hope you have a happy and safe holiday season. This is our first newsletter for the year and we have many exciting things to share with you all.
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In this issue...
- NJ News: Hearts for Lismore donation to NJ, Christmas presents donation for Gumaguy family, Community Fun Day, TunedIn - Youth Mentoring in Richmond Valley, Alternative Dispute Resolution Graduate Certificate, ALS & AbSec Family is Culture Community Report Card & Open Letter, Our Allies and Partners: Partnerships and Engagement
- HR update: HR Update, 'Talkin it up!' - HR Spotlight, Looking for work? Multiple Positions Available at NJ
- An Important message for our Carers: Travelling these holidays?, When to contact us
- Programs: Gumaguy, Balaa, Bugil Wernbe
- Upcoming Training: ARC Dad's Group (Accountable, Respectful, Connected)
- Community News and Events: Murwillumbah Pools Day, Community Youth & Family BBQ, 2023 Better Chances Engagement Practice Forum
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Hearts for Lismore donation to NJ
Ngunya Jarjum received a very special donation of a mosaic tile from Hearts for Lismore to our new office. Hearts for Lismore has been distributing mosaic hearts to flood affected homes and businesses in Lismore and surrounding areas to show support for flood recovery.
Mosaics are donated to the project from all over Australia and even some international artist. Hearts for Lismore received this mosaic from Denise Chard Creative Glass Designs. We love it!!
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Christmas presents donation for Gumaguy family
Ngunya Jarjum received a donation through GIVIT for one of our families participating in our Gumaguy program. Sophie from Sydney NSW generously donated a selection of toys, games and books for the family to give to their four jarjums for Christmas. Thank you Sophie!
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Community Fun Day
On The 8th of December 2022, several Ngunya Jarjum staff attended Bunjum Aboriginal Corporation's Community Fun Day celebrations in Ballina. It was great to see community come together to enjoy the afternoon.
Our stall provided information on our services, and art and craft activities for the jarjum's to enjoy. We also had water guns for the jarjum's to have a play and cool off during the hot afternoon. Ngunya Jarjum is always grateful for the opportunity to engage with community, give back and have some fun. Thank you to the event organisers for hosting this event and inviting NJ to participate.
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TunedIn – Youth Mentoring in Richmond Valley
Ngunya Jarjum have been successful with our funding application through NSW Office of Regional Youth to deliver the TunedIn Youth Mentoring program in the Richmond Valley (Casino) until June 2023.
Ngunya Jarjum already provide TunedIn Aboriginal youth mentoring, fee for service through our Balaa services. Extending the service with the funding from Office of Regional Youth will enable us to dedicate some time to youth in Casino area where alternative funding is not able to be sourced – catching some of the young ones currently stuck in the gap between services.
The Ngunya Jarjum, Balaa TunedIn service tailors individual support to a child or young person, providing a one-to-one relationship-based service for youth. This service can be used to:
• Support young people to explore their cultural identity with safety
• Support young people to identify their own goals
• Development of living skills (cooking / cleaning / budgets etc)
• Nurture the young person to develop self-confidence
• Introduce new ideas and opportunities
• Explore employment opportunities
• Other as negotiated and planned
Are you a young person in Casino area who would like to self-refer to the program? Are you a service provider with a young person in mind?
Get in quick – register your interest by contacting 02 6626 3700 and ask for our Balaa Coordinator for an early start in 2023…
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Alternative Dispute Resolution Graduate Certificate
We are pleased to announce that we have received funding through the Attorney Generals Dept. to support a full-time employee to complete a graduate certificate in Family Dispute Resolution (CHC81115) while working with our Aboriginal families across Northern NSW who may be seeking support to navigate Family Law Court systems and processes.
Family Law Courts are a much-preferred choice for our families to manage conflict, especially with the very recent announcement of the Indigenous List for Aboriginal families in Lismore Family Court from March 2023. It makes so much more sense for our families to resolve conflict through family law pathways than to have conflicts present themselves as child protection concerns, which can result in removal of jarjums by State authorities.
As we build professional pathways for family led decision making for jarjums, we recognise that as the oldest living culture in the world, our people have always held exceptional skill in managing family conflicts and dynamics. To have this funding and provide formal training will open a way for cultural wisdoms to be implemented, keeping families at the forefront of decision making for their jarjums.
For more information talk to: Michelle Rogers, Partnerships and Engagement Manager 0401545079
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ALS & AbSec Family is Culture Community Report Card & Open Letter
Aboriginal Legal Service and AbSec are advocating to keep Aboriginal children safe with their families, communities and culture. Ngunya Jarjum along with over 50 other organisations reached out to support and sign on to an open letter urging the next NSW Parliament to reform the child protection system, saying it is actively harming Aboriginal children. The letter comes after the latest Closing the Gap report revealed Australia is not on track to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 2031 – and is in fact going backwards.
The published a media release is available to read on the ALS website along with the ALS Community FIC Report Card and the open letter. The contents of this report card are focused on legislative reform and on the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Amendment (Family is Culture) Bill 2022.
Media release - https://www.alsnswact.org.au/community-organisations-issue-mayday-call-on-child-protection
Open Letter - https://www.alsnswact.org.au/open-letter-aboriginal-children-belong-with-family
AbSec & ALS Community FIC Report Card - https://www.alsnswact.org.au/family-is-culture-community-report-2022
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Our Allies and Partners
Partnerships and Engagement
Ngunya Jarjum takes time to acknowledge the partnerships and allies (both Government and non-Government) who walk beside us to advocate for the needs of our Jarjums, our Families, Communities and Nations. Allies and partners demonstrate in their work allegiance to Indigenous value systems and value maintaining autonomy in Indigenous cultural identity, battling for a process that ensures fairness, access and equity.
Ngunya Jarjum want to acknowledge our sister agency Burrun Dalai for their support and close working relationship in partnership to attain great outcomes for jarjums in out of home care. Burrun Dalai are also on the ABSEC Board as well as share other spaces with Ngunya Jarjum in advocating for change and redirection of Government focus for Aboriginal jarjums and their families. After the Lismore flooding, Burrun Dalai sponsored staff and carers flood effected, supplying essential household items to support the reestablishment of their homes. We appreciate and value our ongoing relationship with Burrun Dalai. www.burrundalai.org.au
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HR Update
At the end of 2022 we said goodbye to Sue Freeburn (Manager Casework) and Barbara Miller (Manager Finance) who are departing NJ and leaving for new adventures. We thank Sue and Barb for their service to NJ and wish them well.
We would also like to recognise two of our employees who are taking on new opportunities within NJ. Holly Harrison has been promoted to Acting Manager Casework taking on Sue Freeburn's previous role, and Nikita Hughes has also been promoted to a new role as Lead Manager Casework and will take on some of PSP OOHC Manager Matt Harbisher's active duties. Congratulations Holly and Nikita!
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‘Talkin it up!’ - HR Spotlight
Name: Tiarna Hicks
Position: Operations Support Officer
Who’s your mob? Iman/Yiman mob. But I've been living on Bundjalung Country since I was one year old.
How long have you worked at NJ? 5 years. I started at NJ as a Finance Officer, and I was also a Compliance Officer before moving into my current role 2 years ago.
What do you do at NJ? I support the Operations Manager and team with a range of administrative and communication services including the newsletter and social media as well as systems maintenance.
Footy Team? I don't watch footy very often, but my friends have told me I am now a Rabbitohs supporter.
When you’re not working where could you be found? At home relaxing, playing video games, drawing or out enjoying nature with friends.
What do you enjoy most about working at NJ? The amazing people who I work with and the amazing work that they do! I also like that my role gives me opportunities to be creative.
What's your dream for NJ? To keep growing our services to support jarjums and their families through TEI, mentoring, family preservation and other programs.
Where do you want to be in 5 years? Still at NJ supporting in any way that I can!
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Keen to work with mob for mob?
Who are we? We are a not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled Organization established over 26 years ago operating across the Far North Coast of NSW.
Ngunya Jarjum was established in 1995 to provide culturally appropriate Out of Home Care service for children and young people, however, have extended our service delivery to include families at risk of having jarjums removed, targeted early intervention services and casework support services delivered through our Balaa program, which includes youth mentoring services, mapping mob (family finding) for children disconnected from family and culture as well as cultural case planning.
Passionate about working with and supporting Jarjums, families and communities on Bundjalung Country? Enthusiastic about working amongst Mob? Committed to ensuring Jarjum's can stay connected to Country and culturally strong? COME WORK WITH US!
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Multiple positions available at NJ
Ngunya Jarjum is currently advertising for 4 positions:
All application closing 16th January 2023.
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An important message for our Carers
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Travelling these holidays?
Please let your caseworker know if you are going away these holidays, this can help when they need to contact you or to schedule home visits. If you are travelling interstate, your caseworker needs to know as an interstate travel request form must be completed for any children/young people in your care with the details of your travel.
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When to contact us...
You should notify us about any changes effecting you, your partner or any household member.
- Moved to a new address?
- Changed or have a new contact number?
- Changed or have a new email address?
- Change in personal circumstances and household movements?
Contact your caseworker or email compliance@ngunyajarjum.com
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Gumaguy
Gumaguy is a service aimed at reducing the risk to families, where children and young people have been identified by Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) assessment as being at risk of being removed from the family home. Families can only be referred to the program through DCJ.
Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm our Gumaguy team can be contacted through the Ngunya Jarjum switch. After hours, weekends and public holidays use the FREECALL 1800 325 081 or mobile 0438497743.
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Balaa
In the local Widjabul dialect, ‘Balaa’ means to ‘help’. We consider the name appropriate, as the services offered through Balaa are provided to compliment quality case planning for children and families and wrap-around the child and family to improve outcomes for Aboriginal families in Northern NSW across the whole of sector. Through referral to the Balaa services, you can access casework support services such as:
- Mapping Mob (helping you find links through families and kinship networks)
- Youth Mentoring
- Family Group Conferencing
- Cultural case and/or Care planning
- Transport services
- Aboriginal consultation
- Family time supervision
- Adolescent / Caregiver mediation services
- Individual / Specific services as requested
Simply call to ask for more detail about the services and/or request a referral form. (02) 6626 3700 or email intake@ngunyajarjum.com
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Bugil Wernbe - Targeted Early Intervention Tabulam and District
The Targeted Early Intervention (TEI) program delivers flexible support to children, young people, families or communities who are experiencing or at risk of being vulnerable. As the number of our children reported to be at significant risk of harm continues to grow, we are pleased to have secured this program to target support to these remote communities and will continue to seek out opportunities to get similar funding for other communities across the Far North Coast of NSW.
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Community News and Events
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Murwillumbah Pools Day
Monday 23rd January, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Murwillumbah Pools
Kids aged 7 - 17 are invited to join us at the Murwillumbah Pools for a fun day out swimming! FREE entry, lunch is provided, and transport if required. Limited spots are available. To register your spot, or any questions please email or contact Curtly, Youth Engagement Officer, Bugalwena GP on 0474 099 616, or email ccaldwell@bugawlena.org.au or contact Tim Appo, Tweed Shire Council at TAppo@tweed.nsw.gov.au
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Community Youth & Family BBQ
Tuesday 24th January, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Goorimahbah Park (Jack Evans Boat Harbour/ Playground Side). Join us for a community BBQ and youth activities day at the Jack Evans Boat Harbour, set up near the Playground. BBQ lunch provided, designated swimming area, sports games and activities throughout. (Whilst there will be a life guard on duty, parents are advised to be responsible for kids/minors who are swimming and supervise at all times).
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2023 Better Chances Engagement Practice Forum
The Better Chances Forum (BCF) planning group is calling for proposals for presentations, workshops and other activities to include in the 2023 Better Chances Engagement Practice Forum to be held on the 15 March at the Ballina RSL Club. This exciting regional forum will be a great opportunity to share, learn and build engagement practice and connection among workers, services and communities supporting children, young people and their families across Bundjalung, Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr Country. Click here to submit your proposal or find out more.
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Become a member
It is important for people interested in the future of the corporation to be members and to attend the general meetings. A membership application form is available here.
If you are already a member and need to update your homes address, phone number or email address you can contact us by phoning 6626 3700 or emailing us at info@ngunyajarjum.com.
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Join our team of foster carers
Ngunya Jarjum is always looking for new carers to join the organisation and help ensure the wellbeing of all our jarjums. We need quality carers with a commitment to community, family and culture. If you, or someone you know, is considering the important role of becoming a foster visit our website for more information and to apply. https://ngunyajarjum.com/becoming-a-carer/
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Donate
We are a registered charity and rely on government grants and donations to keep operating. If you would like to make a donation you can donate via Paypal.
Visit our website to complete the form and you will be taken to our secure PayPal donation portal.
Make a donation
We do appreciate your support!
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