Meeting the needs of our Aboriginal community

The Bowral Mental Health Service recognises the traditional owners and custodians of the Southern Highlands region. They are the Gundungarra people who have maintained a connection to the land for many generations. They have been joined by some 300 or more families identifying as Aboriginal people. There are many who have had the tragic experience of being part of the "Stolen Generation" in past years. Collectively and individually, the whole of the local community have joined with the Gundungarra people and others, to engage in the healing of the community and to apologise for the past hurt done to so many. In 2005 the Bowral Mental Health Service was indeed fortunate to be able to provide a local Aboriginal person as a mental health worker assigned to the service. Not only does this worker bring the culture and spirituality of her people to the broader community, but she encourages the Aboriginal community to access the health services that, hopefully, will extend their lives and so close the gap between the lifespan of Aboriginal people and that of the rest of the population. Through art, storytelling and dance (the Ngununggala Dancers) the Aboriginal Mental Health worker is able to bring the Aboriginal cultural wealth, history, and customs to the wider community. Through her direct approach to the Aboriginal families in the area, for so long hidden amongst us, she is able to encourage their access to culturally appropriate health services.The worker at the Bowral Mental Health Service has also been instrumental in assisting local local respected Elders in the community to form the Yamanda Aboriginal Association, an incorporated group who are able to promote the interests of the Aboriginal people. Both Yamanda and the Aboriginal Health worker have worked collaboratively with the local Rotary organisation and local Aboriginal community to construct the Oxley's Hill memorial sundial marking the contribution of the local Aboriginal people as trackers for the early pioneering exploration of the region as we know it today.The Bowral Mental Health Service also provides support to the worker to be able to better manage the cultural and spiritual needs of the community members. Each service provider has had the opportunity to learn from the other, producing a better outcome for all. Finally, the Aboriginal Mental Health worker of the Bowral Mental Health Service has collaborated with a respected Elder of the Shoalhaven area. They have co-facilitated "Narinya", a healing program for Aboriginal people affected by childhood and adult sexual abuse. This program has achieved for many a healing for that which they have had to hide and bear for many years. The feedback from the community, and particularly from those who have been survivors of sexual assault, is that this is a program that does heal and releases people from their dark past, from which they had despaired of ever leaving. The program has been so successful that communities nationally are seeking to replicate the program. "Narinya" has also been recently presented to the Maori people in New Zealand as an example of a program of healing that can be used among the indigenous people of many nations. Additionally, the worker provides practical assistance to Aboriginal members of the local community, namely, advocacy, support, and care coordination. She is a valued member of the Bowral Mental Health Service.