About Us
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative was first formed by community in 1978 and established as a registered organisation in 1980 to provide culturally appropriate programs, support and services for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on Wathaurong, Gulidjan and Gadubanud country, within the wider Geelong, Bellarine and Colac regions.
We are focused on building and maintaining Strong Community, Strong Culture, and Strong Country.
The name Wathaurong (Wadda Wurrung) is a recognised tribe (community) which consisted of some 25 clans (family groups) that form part of the Kulin of First Nations people.
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative welcomes all Aboriginal people and provides a place where community members experience social and cultural connectedness and unity, have a voice, celebrate culture and identity; promoting self determination, community healing, well-being and advancement.
History
In the late 1970's, local Aboriginal community members met in their
homes, around the kitchen table, discussing their shared vision of
forming an organisation that could be a place for the Aboriginal
community to come together.
On the 22nd May, 1980, their vision would come to life as the Geelong and District Aboriginal Co-operative was officially incorporated, beginning with an office space on the Geelong waterfront. The name would later be changed to Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to acknowledge the Wathaurong (Wadda wurrung) people, Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands of the local community.
Forty years on, the Co-operative has grown from kitchen tables to an administrative building, health service and children's service at 62 Morgan Street, North Geelong, as well as a social enterprise with the formation of wholesale and retail business, Wathaurong Glass. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative continues to support the social, economic and cultural development of Aboriginal people, building the capacity of our community to achieve self determination.
Today, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative services over 85% of Aboriginal people in the region. Our promise is to address the Inequality in the health status of Aboriginal people through the provision of community services from the first to 'last breath'.
On the 22nd May, 1980, their vision would come to life as the Geelong and District Aboriginal Co-operative was officially incorporated, beginning with an office space on the Geelong waterfront. The name would later be changed to Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to acknowledge the Wathaurong (Wadda wurrung) people, Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands of the local community.
Forty years on, the Co-operative has grown from kitchen tables to an administrative building, health service and children's service at 62 Morgan Street, North Geelong, as well as a social enterprise with the formation of wholesale and retail business, Wathaurong Glass. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative continues to support the social, economic and cultural development of Aboriginal people, building the capacity of our community to achieve self determination.
Today, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative services over 85% of Aboriginal people in the region. Our promise is to address the Inequality in the health status of Aboriginal people through the provision of community services from the first to 'last breath'.
This unique, holistic approach to community service delivery provides a range of 'first to last breath' community services including: family and community services, support to young people, justice support services; and cultural heritage services.
The existing site at 62 Morgan Street, North Geelong that includes the main Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative administration building,, was first opened in 1996. The current Health Services and Children's Services buildings were later added in 2008. The land surrounding what is known as Seagull Paddock was originally a tip - land that nobody wanted and did not know what to do with. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative was able to turn the landfill site into a beautiful place of cultural connection for our community.
Since then, the demand for services and the additional staff required to deliver those services has seen Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative lease two additional buildings, one in the Federal Mills precinct at Mackey Street, North Geelong, and in 2021 more office space was leased at Albert Street, Geelong West.
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative is the largest employer of Aboriginal people in the Geelong region.
The existing site at 62 Morgan Street, North Geelong that includes the main Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative administration building,, was first opened in 1996. The current Health Services and Children's Services buildings were later added in 2008. The land surrounding what is known as Seagull Paddock was originally a tip - land that nobody wanted and did not know what to do with. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative was able to turn the landfill site into a beautiful place of cultural connection for our community.
Since then, the demand for services and the additional staff required to deliver those services has seen Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative lease two additional buildings, one in the Federal Mills precinct at Mackey Street, North Geelong, and in 2021 more office space was leased at Albert Street, Geelong West.
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative is the largest employer of Aboriginal people in the Geelong region.
Board
Directors are appointed to the Board through a nomination
and election process defined under the Co-operative's
constitution at each
Annual General Meeting (AGM). At each AGM either two or
three Directors are compelled to resign, depending on the
year as per the Constitution. However, they are able to re
nominate for election.
As elected delegates representing members of Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, directors are responsible for organisational governance, leadership and the setting the strategic directions and priorities for the organisation. They are also responsible for monitoring and evaluating the achievement of strategic goals.
The Co-operative supports its board members through the conduct of an induction program along with support participation in governance training, and conducts performance appraisal processes as required by various organisational accreditation frameworks
As elected delegates representing members of Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, directors are responsible for organisational governance, leadership and the setting the strategic directions and priorities for the organisation. They are also responsible for monitoring and evaluating the achievement of strategic goals.
The Co-operative supports its board members through the conduct of an induction program along with support participation in governance training, and conducts performance appraisal processes as required by various organisational accreditation frameworks
Directors of the Board are responsible for:
- the overall strategic direction of the Co-operative
- making decisions about various issues related to organisational performance
- monitoring financial transactions made by the Co-operative
- signing Funding and Services Agreements with state and Commonwealth agencies and other parties
- setting policy for the Co-operative and making decisions related to all business and strategic directions of the organisation
- overseeing the preparation of the Co-operative's Annual Report and funding acquittals
- risk management
- accreditation
- other business as required.
Current Board Members, as elected at the 2023/2024 Annual General Meeting held on Sunday 24 November 2024, are:
Jordan Edwards (Chairperson)
Jordan Edwards is a proud Gunditjmara, Wadda Wurrung & Arrernte man. He has grown up in the Wathaurong community and has been involved in community and cultural business all his life. Jordan is currently one of the South West representatives on the First Peoples’ Assembly and is the Youth Convenor for the Assembly. He has been leading the conversations to make sure that community are knowledgable and empowered when it comes to Treaty and is passionate about making sure that the youth have a voice. Jordan was one of the leaders who advocated for and led the youth discussions around standing up the Karroong Kanyool Youth Hub in Forster Street. Jordan was elected to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Board in March 2024 and became Chairperson in December 2024.
Aunty Judy Dalton-Walsh (Deputy Chairperson)
Aunty Judy Dalton-Walsh is a Wadda Wurrung Traditional Owner who has always been involved in community and Wathaurong life. Aunty Judy works as a Koorie Engagement Support Officer at the Department of Education and Training and is passionate about teaching traditional language. Aunty Judy has served on the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Board numerous times over the past 20+ years in various positions, including Chairperson, and was most recently re-elected to the Board in November 2024.
Aunty Wendy Brabham
Aunty Wendy Brabham is a Traditional Owner from the Wamba Wamba, Wergaia, Nyeri Nyeri and Dhudhuroa First Nations. Aunty Wendy is a respected academic who has been a representative on various boards and committees. Aunty Wendy has served on the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Board numerous times in various positions, including as Chairperson, and was most recently re-elected to the Board in March 2024.
Uncle Glenn Shea (Treasurer)
Uncle Glenn Shea has worked for and with Wathaurong in several roles including Youth Justice and Wathaurong's 40 Year Anniversary film and events. He is an acclaimed and awarded playwright, director and actor, including Aboriginal truth-telling. Uncle Glenn has sat on the Board of Directors at Ilbijerri Theatre Company for over 7 years. Uncle Glenn commenced as a Director of Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative at the 2023 AGM and was most recently re-elected to the Board in November 2024.
Charmaine Hopgood (Secretary)
Charmaine was elected to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Board in November 2024.
Charmaine is a proud Gunditjmara woman (Nilan Gunditj, Kerrup Jmara, and Kirrae Wurrong) who was born and raised on Wathaurong Country and now resides on Gulidjan and Gadubanud Country near Colac and the Otways.
She brings extensive experience across community services, education, and tourism, including over 10 years at Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative in roles such as Koorie Preschool Liaison Officer, Home and Community Care Coordinator, and administrative support to the Board of Directors. She later assisted Koorie Liaison programs in the South-West and managed a travel business in Colac before transitioning to Cultural Tourism.
Charmaine has been deeply involved with the Colac community through her work at the Caracaramigen Gathering Place, local events and meetings. Appointed to the Wathaurong Board in November 2024, she is proud to represent Colac and surrounding regions, advocating for community wellbeing, resources, infrastructure development and aspirations.
Debby Lovett
Debby was elected to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Board in November 2024.
Debby is a proud Gunditjmara woman from Lake Condah with ties to Boandik. She brings strong family and community values and decades of expertise in governance, education, leadership development and community engagement. Now living on the Surf Coast, Debby is a mother to two amazing young adults and Nanny to five beautiful grandchildren.
Currently with the National Native Title Council, Debby has dedicated her life to empowering Aboriginal communities across Victoria. Her extensive experience includes 20+ years with state and national sports carnivals, active member of the Victorian NAIDOC Committee (1996–2003), Director of VAYSAR (1998–2002), Chairperson of the Werribee/Hoppers Crossing LAECG & ASSPA (1997–2001), identified roles with ATSIC, DEET and DSE, and eight years as Indigenous Programs Manager at Collingwood Football Club.
Ammie Howell
Ammie was first co-opted to the Board in December 2022.
Ammie is an Arrernte woman born and raised on Wathaurong Country. She is a mum to 6 proud Arrernte/Bundjalung kids and is an active member of the Wathaurong community. Ammie is also a former staff member of Wathaurong Co-op and Wathaurong Glass and is currently the Manager of the Booln Booln Cultural Centre.
Staff
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative has grown significantly and
now employs more than 150 people. Our Executive Leadership
team oversees all program areas.
Click here
to view our current Organisational Chart.
Simon Flagg - Chief Executive Officer
Rose De Jong - Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Duane Luki - Executive Manager of
Health Services
Michelle Searle - Executive Manager of Corporate Services
Kristie Fraser-Lange - Executive Manager of Family Services
Yohan Kumaran - Chief Financial Officer
Want to get in touch with a particular program area?
Use the email addresses below to reach out to staff in that area.
General:
admin@wathaurong.org.au
Medical reception:
medicalreception@wathaurong.org.au
Media, PR, Events:
comms@wathaurong.org.au
Community Support:
CSTeam@wathaurong.org.au
Feedback:
Feedback@wathaurong.org.au
Jobs & Volunteering:
HR@wathaurong.org.au
Wurdi Youang:
WurdiYouang@wathaurong.org.au
Aboriginal Community Justice Program:
ACJP@wathaurong.org.au
Balert Care Connections (NDIS & Aged Care):
BCC@wathaurong.org.au
Family Violence:
familyviolence@wathaurong.org.au
Foster Care:
fostercare@wathaurong.org.au
Housing:
housing@wathaurong.org.au
Koori Maternity Services:
KMS@wathaurong.org.au
Maternal & Child Health:
MCH@wathaurong.org.au
Social Emotional Wellbeing: