For many, Wathaurong is known as a vital service provider, delivering essential support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But its true impact extends much deeper into the local community – we strongly focus on building relationships, honouring heritage, and nurturing community strength. Read on as we explore all the ways our organisation proudly advocates for cultural continuity and empowers the community around us.  

Creating spaces for community 

Established in the 1970s, Wathaurong was created to serve the Aboriginal people in the wider Geelong, Bellarine, and Colac regions. Over the years, it has grown into a cornerstone of the community, evolving from a service provider to a central hub for cultural engagement, support, and advocacy. Let’s explore all the ways we achieve that –

Coming home

Although we do provide housing, our goal is to create a place our community can truly call “home.” We believe that it’s not just about offering a feeling of safety and security through housing, but a sense of belonging and connection that turns a house into a home. 

Homelessness Entry Point

The Homelessness Entry Point is designed to make our community feel heard, supported, and empowered from the moment someone reaches out. Our team will make sure you know you’re not alone by taking the time to listen to your needs and understand your situation so we can find you a home. By guiding you through the process and connecting you with the right resources, our goal is to replace your uncertainty and fear with a sense of stability and hope. You’ll feel reassured, knowing that someone is walking this journey with you, ensuring you’re on the path to securing a safe, supportive place to call home.

Karroong Kanyool

For our young mob, we have Karroong Kanyool, meaning “Home of the Young” in Wadda Wurrung language. This space is dedicated to connecting youth with culture, healing, and community. It’s equipped with medical rooms for GP and mental health support, a sensory room, computer labs, and areas to chill out or come together, like a basketball half-court and yarning circles around a fire pit. Karroong Kanyool also hosts after-school and holiday programs for all ages, creating opportunities for our young people to learn, share, and grow in a culturally safe environment.

Community strengthening team

As advocates of our culture, we created a group, appropriately named The Community Strengthening Team. They exist to create safe, welcoming environments where everyone can come together through culture, spirit, and support. They’re dedicated to making sure everyone feels safe when engaging with our services and are always here to help you navigate your needs in a culturally safe way. The team’s goal is to walk alongside those experiencing, or who are at risk of, family violence. Our focus is on advocacy and support, making sure you, our community members, can safely connect with each other while finding the help you need. Whether it’s through providing referrals, advocating for your needs, or connecting you to culture and community, we’re here to help you feel grounded, safe, and seen.

Bringing them home 

Our Bringing Them Home program is all about supporting the spiritual and emotional well being of the Stolen Generation. Our team includes trauma-informed social workers who deeply understand the unique challenges faced by our community, offering a safe space for individuals and families to share their stories, address concerns, and start healing – together.

We enable the community to share through a range of supportive spaces, including yarning circles, therapeutic groups, brief counselling, and referrals. We also work closely with community leaders and Elders to ensure every service is culturally safe and respectful. By connecting clients to community events like Apology Day, Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week, and NAIDOC Week, and linking them to services like the Koorie Heritage Trust and mental health support, we aim to nurture strong cultural connections and a sense of belonging.

Standing up for social justice

The Local Justice and Koori Youth Justice programs work hand-in-hand with the Department of Justice to support community members who’ve come into contact with, or are at risk of, the justice system in some way. We’re here to help our mob understand their rights, feel confident navigating the system and build brighter futures.

Our Youth Justice Worker supports young people on Youth Justice Orders, offering a guiding hand to help them get back on track. To us, it’s about more than ticking boxes. We’re here to build up our youth, so they grow into strong, independent, and respectful individuals. By focusing on their strengths and nurturing positive relationships, we’re helping them make better choices and find their way forward.

At the heart of what we do is reducing and breaking the cycle of justice system involvement for our people. We’re passionate about educating, supporting, and working alongside other services to get to the root of what’s really going on. It’s about standing by our community, every step of the way, so we can all live safer, healthier, and more empowered lives.

A brighter future, together

Wathaurong’s work is not just about meeting immediate needs. It’s about creating a brighter, more just future for generations to come. Wathaurong is helping to shape a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not only included but celebrated for their contributions and leadership.
Every action Wathaurong takes is infused with a deep respect for cultural values and a commitment to nurturing the community’s strength and resilience. In this way, Wathaurong is far more than a service provider, it’s a guardian of culture, a champion of justice, and a beacon of hope for many. Join our community and help us build a legacy that honours the past, enriches the present, and inspires a brighter future for all.