An
Aboriginal women's resource centre
... and much, much more
"
We cannot depend on governments
to heal our wounds. We have to help
each other. " Community
Elder
Mudgin-Gal
Aboriginal Corporation
is a working illustration of how
Aboriginal organisations should
and can function. It has grown out
of community need, is managed by
community people and remains responsive
to the ever-changing circumstances
of Aboriginal women.
"
Mudgin-Gal is about Aboriginal
women helping themselves and solving
their own social problems. The women
who use the service are the same
women who run it. This represents
a real step towards self-determination.
" Bronwyn Penrith, Chair
Mudgin-Gal's
History,
Governance & Funding
Mudgin-Gal's
Aims
& Objectives
Mudgin-Gal's
Community
Mudgin-Gal's
Services
Mudgin-Gal's
"Black
Women's Awards for Achievement"
Mudgin-Gal's History, Governance
& Funding
South
Sydney Women's Centre was incorporated
as Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Corporation
on 17th June 1992 and handed over
to the Aboriginal women of the community
who represented the vast majority
of women seeking assistance.
The
services are operated by women with
broad ranging expertise including
young mothers, elders, educators,
family support workers and academics.
A Management Committee of 7 Aboriginal
women meets monthly to discuss not
only services but general issues
affecting the community as a whole.
Mudgin-Gal
receives recurrent funding from
the NSW Department of Community
Services, which covers wages and
basic running costs. Programmes
for women and children and additional
expenditure depend on one-off grants.
Competition for these grants is
fierce and, more often than not,
it is the better-resourced, professionally
advised Non Government Organisations
which succeed.
The
permanent staff consists of 1.5
full-time workers. The balance of
the critical and demanding full-time
service is performed by dedicated
volunteers.
The
following are extracts from Mudgin-Gal's
Aboriginal Corporation guidelines
and policies.
^
top ^
Mudgin-Gal's
Aims & Objectives
To
focus on esteem-building projects
and healing, through self-sufficiency,
for the survival of the Aboriginal
woman through cultural exchange
and awareness; is a philosophy that
is an essential component of Mudgin-Gal.
To move away from the institute-type
structure to a more traditional
and culturally sensitive framework
that can identify Aboriginal women
problems.
To
act as a referral source for Aboriginal
women to access services and information
and to develop a women's network
for access to counseling, relevant
conferences or grant information.
^
top ^
Mudgin-Gal's
Community
" The community educational
role is of utmost importance given
the rise of 'violent living' within
our community and the general debate
regarding how these issues can be
resolved. " Redfern community
resident.
The
belief that Aboriginal women working
together can resolve many of their
own issues is basic to Mudgin-Gal.
We believe that the responsibility
to address family and community
issues should be a holistic one
and not necessarily the responsibility
of women. However, we accept
the major role that is played by
women in the development of families,
and we will continue to work for
and with Aboriginal women and their
families towards righting injustices,
which have been placed on Aboriginal
women over the centuries.
^
top ^
Mudgin-Gal's
Services
• daily drop-in centre
• refuge support
• advocacy and liaison
• laundry, bathroom and
rest facilities
• safe accommodation for
women and children
• court support
• grief and loss counseling
• anti-violence group meetings
• domestic violence assistance
^
top ^
Mudgin-Gal's
"Black Women's Awards for Achievement"
A
pat on the back, a word of encouragement
and a little recognition is what
keeps the hundreds of volunteer
Aboriginal community workers going
year after year.
The
Awards are a reminder to the women
that their contribution is valued
by their people. The Award raises
the self-esteem of the volunteer
community and recognises the sacrifices
they endure whilst battling the
every day experience of being a
Koori.
^ top ^
|