Boosting Connection for First Nations Women in Gilmore

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting communities across Australia to be strong and resilient.

Waminda South Coast Women's Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation will receive $358,000 to support local First Nations women to reduce isolation, increase connection to Country and strengthen links with the wider community.

This is one of 34 organisations sharing in more than $10.3 million under the Strong and Resilient Communities Activity - Inclusive Communities grants round.

Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women, Kate Thwaites, and Local Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, visited Waminda to learn more about the healing groups and social and skill-based activities the grant will support.

Assistant Minister Thwaites said the Albanese Labor Government recognised the fantastic work community organisations like Waminda were doing for local communities.

"That's why we have invested close to $45 million in supporting strong and resilient communities since 2022," she said.

"Projects such as this, delivered by organisations like Waminda, have a positive impact on the whole community, helping to foster connections and improve overall wellbeing."

Mrs Phillips said she was thrilled to see Waminda receive the grant to further support its programs.

"I have had the honour of observing the wonderful work of Waminda, the South Coast Women's Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, for many years," she said.

"Waminda continues to lead the way with providing culturally safe and holistic services to support Aboriginal women and their families - their health programs make a tangible positive difference in people's lives.

"I have been particularly impressed by Waminda's commitment to health and wellbeing through a range of culturally appropriate wellbeing programs, such as Dead or Deadly and Bulwul Balaang.

"From yarning circles, to women's groups, art programs, women's gatherings and Elder groups, Balaang Gunyah at Orient Point plays a vital place for these programs.

"Waminda has such a strong focus on social enterprises and this can be easily seen with the women's traditional food project at Kareela Ngura and the newly opened Blak Cede Café which is proving very popular."

Waminda Chief Executive Leadership team member Lisa Wellington welcomed the funding which she said would allow cultural and wellbeing programs and services to continue supporting Aboriginal women of all ages.

"We're running groups out at Balaang Gunyah that support many women on their healing journey, whatever that may look like," she said.

"It's really beautiful to see young women right through to Elders sitting together in a space where they feel comfortable, and being able to yarn and share food with each other and support each other.

"This funding means we can continue bringing women together so they can become strong and resilient and continue to thrive in our communities."

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the 34 successful organisations would deliver targeted services to help build capacity at a local level.

"Our government is committed to building strong and resilient communities, and to helping Australians who need a little extra support," Minister Rishworth said.

"To build stronger and more resilient communities we need to invest where there is the most need and the opportunity to make the biggest difference to the future of community members.

"We know that the successful organisations are well placed to help some of our most vulnerable, including young people, people with disability, unemployed people, First Nations Australians and women."

The funding builds on the Labor Government's record to help Australians doing it tough when they need it most, including:

• providing every Australian taxpayer a tax cut
• increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance for nearly one million households
• boosting funding for emergency and food relief services, along with financial counselling
• extending the freeze on deeming rates for 876,000 income support recipients.