Federal Labor pledge $15.6m for Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative if elected in May
A redeveloped Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative at North Geelong would see space for an early years centre built, and expanded health service offered under a multi-million promise.
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A redevelopment of the Wathaurong co-operative at North Geelong would get a $15.6m boost to give Aboriginal people access to services “from birth to dreaming” in one place, under an Albanese Labor government.
The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative, which has grown from 45 staff in 2016 to 170 this year sees about 3,500 people via its health service, has outgrown its Morgan St site.
Wathaurong chief executive Simon Flagg said the organisation was planning a $26m redevelopment of the Morgan St site that would provide a space for an early years centre, a conference space, hospitality area and an expanded health service offering.
“This is about creating more than just an organisation people can come to get a service from, it’s about creating a home where community can come together,” Mr Flagg said.
“The key purpose of this (new) building is to give our community a place to come connect, gather, learn about culture, strengthen our community, and have a place where community can call home.. but also to help the wider Geelong community... celebrate the rich Aboriginal culture we have as a community.
“This is long overdue. This organisation has been here for community for a long time for over 40 years.”
Mr Flagg said the redevelopment, that is planned to be completed in 2025, would bring all Wathaurong’s services from four locations under one roof to meet future needs.
Wathaurong’s catchment covers a 700sq km area across Geelong, Colac and the Bellarine Peninsula and the western metropolitan Melbourne.
In 2020-21 Wathaurong’s Feed Me initiative saw 1365 meals delivered to 240 families per week.
Wathaurong currently cares for about 100 Aboriginal children aged under five-years-old.
Corio MP Richard Marles said: “This investment will not only ensure that the Wathaurong Co-Operative can meet the increasing demand but create a modern hub that will provide essential culturally appropriate services to the Indigenous community.”
Labor’s spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said Labor would invest in community-led initiatives to help assist the nation reach its Closing the Gap targets.
“Culturally safe primary health care is central to making sure we close the gap in life expectancy and health outcomes and Labor is committed to working with First Nations community-controlled organisations to achieve these goals,” Ms Burney said.
The project will require further funding after the $15.6m promise from federal Labor, and $2.43m from the state Labor.
Concept designs for the project are due to be produced in the middle of this year after architect Woods Bagot was appointed to the project.
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Originally published as Federal Labor pledge $15.6m for Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative if elected in May
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