Joining the staff at EHHAWS this month are Meriki Onus, in the position of Outreach and Housing Officer and Gabrielle Johnson, into administration. We would like to make them welcome!
Keep an eye out for the launch of our recently finished cookbook titled Cooking For Boorais, to be released during NAIDOC week events. This fun cookbook was developed out of a twenty week play group with young Aboriginal mothers and their children, which included a camp at Phillip Island.
The focus of the camp was around Art Therapy, and the women were given a chance to work in a variety of mediums with established artist Lyn Briggs. The Dragon Fly, a symbol of New Beginnings, was a significant theme inspiring the creative activities for the weekend.
Both projects supported by Vic Health.
It gives us at EHHAWS great pleasure to appoint Lisa Rose Thorpe - an Aboriginal woman - into the position of CEO. Lisa has already been acting as CEO since August 2009 and during this time she has demonstrated a high level of professionalism, understanding and appreciation for service delivery and staff management.
* The new branding combines the soothing colours of green, purple and ochre.
* The colours green and purple are international women’s colours.
* The new logo design uses the existing painting design, reshaped into a circle symbolising the cycle of life.
* In the circle, Aboriginal women and her children are central and supported by Aboriginal women, making up the Board of Directors.
* The circle also includes the presence of family and community embracing the woman’s right to freedom from violence in all of its forms.
After a fairly successful first year for the Fitzroy Stars Football Club competing in Northern Football League, Lisa-Rose Thorpe, along with other determined young women, realised there was a need for more participation from local aboriginal girls and young women in the area of community sport. The idea of establishing a netball club was suggested.
'At the time, we thought there would be interest for maybe one team.' said Lisa-Rose Thorpe. 'After putting out the call, the response we recieved was over whelming. The most enthusiastic support came from footy club volunteers, partners of the current Stars footballers, or daughters of past Stars footballers.'
At the first Fitzroy Stars Football Club Annual General Meeting the membership voted unanimously to enter two netball teams into local competitions under the Fitzroy Stars banner. As Lisa-Rose observes, the recently established Fitzroys Stars Netball Club has since recieved a strong backing by the community.
'Today, with five games remaining in our first season, we have 20 girls registered, with more wanting to be involved. Being a part of the netball club both as a player and volunteer I know that the relationships & friendships that have been developed with each other and within the community have not only benefited the club as a whole but strengthened us as young Koori & non-Koori people moving forward positively.'
Fitzroy Stars Netball would like to take this opportunity to thank and make special mention of their official sponsors:
This website was made possible thanks to the generous support of:
Soroptimist International
