Last night, 13 of our deadly Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Staff celebrated their achievement of graduating from RMIT with a Graduate Certificate in Family Violence.

This pilot educational program was co-designed to deliver education in a culturally safe way and in a setting that allowed for collaboration, connectedness and provided space for trauma informed practices to be implemented in the learning environment.

Staff from all areas of Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative were involved in completing their Graduate Certificate in Domestic & Family Violence, including team members from Social & Emotional Wellbeing, the Colac Gathering Place, Family Services and Community Strengthening.

Not only have these staff graduated with a formal qualification, they have also been armed with new tools and knowledge to help them to provide the best possible support for our community.

Wathaurong would like to say a huge thank you to RMIT and Ngarara Willim, in particular Dr Lisa Harris who delivered the educational component of the Graduate Certificate, for their support and understanding of the need to deliver education in a different way.

Funding for the delivery of this Graduate Certificate to our staff was provided through Family Safety Dhelk Dja and we thank them, and in particular the Barwon South West Dhelk Dja, for their support through this process.

The staff celebrated with a graduation ceremony last night, with RMIT staff, newly appointed Board member Uncle Glenn Shea, Wathaurong CEO Simon Flagg, Health & Community Strengthening Executive Jason Kanoa, and Member for Geelong Christine Couzens in attendance to congratulate our newest graduates.

Congratulations to all of our staff who juggled work, family and community commitments while completing their studies and coming out the other side!

GRADUATES

• Tanisha Clarke
• Rylie Evans
• Jordyn Flagg
• Kristie Fraser-Lange
• Mikali Harrison
• Ebony Hickey
• Jay Hickey
• Duane Luki
• James McKinnon
• Shannon Secombe
• Fiona Schlensog
• Natalie Sullivan
• Louise Warner