The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) celebrated the Balit Durn Durn Centre’s second birthday, praising the transformative work the Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) has achieved.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt MP attended the event at Tree Tops, Melbourne Museum, where she joined in celebrating the Centre’s remarkable accomplishments.
The celebration not only recognised the Centre’s achievements, but also the 48 recipients who had been awarded Aboriginal SEWB scholarships to pursue their university studies.
Executive Director of the Balit Durn Durn Centre, Sheree Lowe, said she is incredibly proud of all the contributions that many people have made to the Centre to date, and she is excited for what is still to come.
“We have identified five key areas of focus for the next three years, that will support us to lead sector-wide change in the delivery of Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing services.”
“It’s all about bringing our voices to the table to create the change we need,” she said.
VACCHO CEO Dr. Jill Gallagher AO says the Centre has been instrumental in supporting the social and emotional wellbeing workforce and celebrating the critical role that they play.
“The Centre has been responsible for leading our system reform work at VACCHO and has worked very closely with our families,” said Dr. Gallagher
“We have seen the positive impacts of shifting the deficit narrative and starting from a place of strength and resilience.”
The Balit Durn Durn Centre was launched in May 2022, with the purpose of working alongside Aboriginal organisations to expand SEWB services in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and mainstream mental health services across the state.
The Centre was a key outcome from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, and was an initiative designed to foster innovation and improvement in social and emotional wellbeing practice, policy and research.
Balit Durn Durn means strong brain, mind, intellect and sense of self in Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung language.
You can find more information about the Balit Durn Durn Centre here.
